Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1881-07-08

force her in some way to notice me,-tO
speak to her, to occasion one Of those
charming blushes--anything, knew not
what. In short, like an impertinent cox
comfy as I was, I stepped forward, and
with insufferable insolence, which blush
now to remember, I whispered in her ear /:
you are very prettyl"
N lever was more surprised than when
she calmly replied:
II know it!''
was absolutely startled. I had expec-
ted silent, conscious blush, an indignant
glance, anything rather than this cool II
know it,"
AS much as had heretofore disliked at
tending the village church, the next week
seemed to drag along slowly enough, and
J when Sunday again came my mother and
I were early seated in our pew, and I i'm
patiently waited for the arrival OF my love-
ly enigma. I tried to prepare myself for
disappointment.
| II have been thinking and dreaming
about an idea," said to myself-''doubt-
less when the young lady herself appears,
all my fine imaginings will vanish-there
can be no doubt my fancy has been play
ing tricks with me, investing mere coun-
try maiden with transcendant graces and
charms.''
While I was reasoning thus with myself
the young lady appeared.
"Worshipping an ideal!" My most
charming remembrance did not begin to
DO justice to the beautiful reality. A soul
full of tenderness and sensibility seemed
to have found a fitting home in person
and face of perfect loneliness and grace.
She blushed when, looking round, she
CHANGED to see me, and again the play Of
expression on her features, which had so
| interested me formerly, charmed me.
The more I studied her face the more /
seemed to see into the pure depths of her
! soul. could have staked my life on her
as noble of thought and deed.
| AS we returned home I described my
fair neighbor and asked my mother who
| she was.
"Her name, ''my mother said. +" is Grace
Denny. and she is the most superior young
woman have ever in my whole life met
with. 1t is too soon to think of such
things yet;' she continued, smiling, "hut
some years hence it would make me hap
py to see nay dear sou married to just such
woman"
mot quite so fast, MOTHER" said I
laughing good deal to hide little boyish
embarrassment, which l was anxious to
conceal.
found that Grace had become con-
slant visitor at my mothers, and I did
not fail to improve the opportunity Of be-
coming better acquainted with her.
Grace-sweet, noble Grace, with her
ch1ld-like simplicity and sensitive wo-
mans heart-who could resist herp I
could not; my whole soul was hers. In
vain struggled; in vain called upon my
vanity (of which had plenty to invoke)
to save me from the modification of low
ing without return. 1 could not stem or
control the passion which, strong as a
mighty whirlwind, had seized me.
One evening sat by the piano, while
UIdCo SduS W LIZ, Suu uocsA 0AnCo VARY
ing color and glistening eyes suggested
sweet hopes to my vanity. I fancied 1
saw love in those bright, dewy eyes and on
those soft, music breathing lips.
1t was the last evening Of my vacation,
and surely I read gentle farewell thought
in Grace's face. I was beside myself with
joy at the idea-l was as if in blissfuI
dream-a rapture Of love. AS Grace rose
to leave the piano caught her hand, and
unable longer to repress the one thought
that filled my heart, exclaimed fervent,
ly:
''Grace-dear Grace-with all my soul I |
love you'll
She lifted her large, soft eyes and said |
slowly, as mischievous smile stole over
her face:
II know it!''
She was gone before had time to pre-
vent it, or to recover from my surprise.
The next day I returned to college, ex-
pecting to complete my studies in another
year. A year! How long to be absent
from the beloved being who was to me
henceforth and forever, whether she re-
turned my love or not, the nucleus around
which all my thoughts would revolve. I
need not say how often her strange and
unsatisfactory answer tormsnted me.