Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1881-11-09
The Doom of RendOn.
When tto brothers love the same madye's face
III, =, co,aes tho doom of Rendon's race.

lllt nan VI AtNbRNAA
greally excited my curiosity while stay
ing there on a shooting visit. asked
our host one night in the smoking'room
what was the origin or meaning OF the
couplet. and Mr. Rendon demurred at
telling me, on the plea that family his
tory might only bore his guests. A
unanimous shout from every one, how
ever, proved the contrary; so we settled
ourselves TO the deliberate enjoyment
of our cigars. while the master OF the
house began:
1t is necessary TO remind you, my
friends, that my grandfather was only
lar Q b collateral relation, EhenR By
lack If direct heirs, he came into
possession of the property, aud the
cause which put him into that possess
ion was as follows.
The couplet you see cut there is
some centuries old, and when or by
whom inscribed it is impossible to say.
But the family from one generation to
another were very much impressed by
it, and carefully AVOIDED any chance of
fulfilling it So they fourished in the
ordinary way until, in the year 1895,
Geoffrcy Rendon was the owner ofthe
place, and blessed with two handsome
and gallant SOUS, in every way worthy
ola parents affection. But Geoffrey
Rendon had an enemy, whose hatred
was the growth of twenty years.
'The fair Catharine Meiderly, who
was the beauty Of the time, had singled
out from her numerous adorers two
whom she regarded with more favor
than any others. They were Godfrey
Rendon and Edmund Vanley, Of Van
lev Coxrt, These two seemed 10 run
neck and neck race, aud 1t was doubt
full which would win the lady's hand
But at length her preference showed
itself for Rendon, and Vanley bore his
defeat with an outward smile but an H.
ward vow of revenge. Time went on;
Mr.. and Mrs. Rendon passed some
years in mutual happiness, but, to her
husbands iuexpressible grief, his wife
died shortly after the birth other Sec
ond son. Thencelorth all Rendon's
love was lavished upou GeOfrey and
Richard. Both were much like their
beautiful mother, both were skilled and
accomplished in learning and acquire
men!s, and fOndly attached to each
other. Nothing clouded their hearts
except the dred fthe grim ceuplet in
the ball being realized in their persons;
and to do away with chance of this,
they made compact in their simplicity
which had the dreadful result they
wished TO avoid. The agreement was
neither was ever to mention love or
the subject of his love to the other.
Edmund Vauley's gloomy house
was enlivened by one bright inmate,
his beautiful niece, Dora Vanley, a
charming girl of eighteen. And OBJ
serving the deep admiration she created
iu young Geofrey, Edmund Vanley
planned scheme so cruel, and villain
ous. that 1 not only shudder to tell Of il
but l scarcely expect you to believe II.
Day after day handsome Godfrey,
dressed il all the splendid costume OF
tie period, would gallop over TO Van
ley Court, and pass his hours in the
sweet companonsbip of his lady love.
Old Vanley received him very gracious
IL, oulyI exacting from HIN solemn
promise' that he would never mention
his betrothal to Dora till he gave him
permission, and would keep his VISITS a
profound secret. To all OF which
Geofret assented. One thing mole
Vanleyl required OF The young man,
which das that on all his visits he was
to be masked. to which Geofrey,
though rather surprised also assented.
'Timd flew on, and one day, in Au-
tumn, deonrey and Dora, deep in their
own converse, were pacing around the
garden.
Sweetest said he, your uncle has
consented to our marriage, and speedily,
Life sed dns all sunshine now
'Maylt continue So murmured Dora
with a flushing smile.
And will 1t not, with you ever near
me?' So N he. oh, my darling, such
happine IS seems too great
Ayel Godfrey, ehe returned, we
seem in fairyland.'
AT this moment Vanley joined them
and said:
Il have strange request, Geonrey, 10
make of you but l have weighty reasons.
1 want YOU to carry Dora of tomorrow
evening, or seem to do so.'
Garry Dora OFF, said Godfrey, IN
surprise.
'Yes, said Vanley, and this is the
reason. When a child, 1 betrolhed
Dora (who was and is in Ignorance Of
it) 10 a Vanley. He is cousin OF hers
rich, wellborn, but a sluggaid and
coward. HowbeitI l am bound by my
contract, and cannot break 1t except
b cause Of some weighty reason.
He paused moment, and Geoarey
turned to whisper to Dora, who bad
turned very pale at these strange words
The old mau's eyes shot fire, but the
next moment his face resumed its ordl-
nary stern expression.
L have written to him TO come to-
morrow and claim his COUSIN he con-
tinued. Start not, cbild-he will me-
yer gain you. We shall be seated in
the great bow window Of the hall
which commands view of Dora's bal
cony. You, Godfrey, armed and mask
L Al. nd