Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1880-05-11
RATES or ADvERTUua.
mered Lynn, trembling with agitation.

mered Lynn, trembling with agitation.
Yes, certainly 1 understand. We'll,
she's going South next week; but she'll
% at the Parker Fraternity tomorrow
evening. You'd better see her there,
and make sure thing Of it. I'll give
you my word she'll accept you."
THANK you thank you I" murmured
Lynn, the lights swimming before his
eyes, and the music fading on his ears.
He cared no longer for the latter. He
got away out of the hall, and spent a
restless night, full of excitement and the
most exalted emotion. For the first
time he knew that he loved the lily
faced, brown-eyed girl.
The next night found him at the mu.
sical entertainment of the Parker Fra.
ternity. He was foolish, perhaps, but
not more so than score of other young
fellows in love. But more honest, fer
vent fellow never trembled at the touch
of woman's hand.
| "YOu are as fond of music as I am,
Mr.. Naples" she said, with sweet
cordiality of manner which made her
irresistible to all men who looked at
her. ss.N .sas-.
MAY escort you home, Miss Lor-
aine? II have something to say to
you."
She gave assent. Her brown eyes
widened slightly with surprise, but she
chose to accept, and, for once, Percy
Dudley gracefully yielded his claims.
Sne came down into the moonlight,
ner rich evening dress over her arms,
her face cool and sweet. Lynn had a
misglvlng that he was mad, but he could
not help 1T. Before they had walked
blocks and crossed the park, he had Of
fered himself to Miss Lorraine.
She did not speak-her face was quite
white. He felt the little hand on his
arm tremble. But her voice was siIvery
clear, when she spoke at last:
"Mr. Naples, you have known me but
comparatively short space of time.-
What has caused yon to address me like
this ?"
"My fervent love would not have given
me courage to do so, Miss Lorraine; but
an old friend of yours-one who claim
ed to know you well-assured me that
you were not quite Indifferent
His voice failed him.
"Who was this friend, Mr.. Naples ?U
"Mr. Dudley"
He saw her eyes flash. She stopped
at the foot of fight of marble steps.
II am at home now. Will you come
here tomorrow and get your answer,
Mr.. Naples ?''
Her face, gentle aud downcast, did
not tell him enough to bid him hope,
but ne could not forbear doing that in
the sight of her loveliness. He glanced
up at the wide portals, bronzed lions
and arched easements, thinking, after
he had bowed and left her, that Annie
Loraine's aunt must be rich.
Another night of palpitating hope and
fear, yet he came with manly face to
Annie Lorraine to learn her answer.
He was little surprised to find Dud-
ley in the room into which he was ush-
cred. lie sat lolling in an easy-chair,
smiling. complaisant, yet with flushed
face and covert sparkle in his eve.
Miss Lorraine rose from the sofa, and
advanced cordially to his visitor, offer
ing her jeweled hand.
You have come promptly for your
answer, Mr.. Naples" she said, "and /
will be prompt with you. accept your
otter OF marriage, and give you, in the
very acceptance, my most sincere affec-
ton. Yesterday was the first of April,
and think 1t is Mr.. Dudley who will
tell us who Is the April fool.u
With cry of rage, and furious oath,
ne sprang to his feet ; but Miss Lorraine
turned her back on him, and. walked
with Lynn into an adjoining parlor, and
he made his exit from the house without
her adieux.
In scheming to make Lynn Naples Of
TEND the heiress by an offer OF marriage,
he had shot beyond his mark, and, los
ing all hope of Annie Lorraine and her
fortune, bitterly repented his trick of
the first of April. ---- -