Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1881-05-10
WHO WON HER;
Or, The Two Wedding Rings.
CHAPTER j

CHAPTER I.
"Love you, Henry? No, not Bit
What should put such ridiculous idea
into your head? Why, you are mere
boy!'
II am not, Edna. I have not boyish
feeling about me; and, for my appear
ance, am sure do not look like q boy
in the least. Have indeed cultivated
this moustache with SO much pains for
nothing? Am Inot nearly twenty -one?
The rougish little Edna made no an
swer. but began to sing
IA little boy went out to shoot one day,
And carried hts arrows and bow;
For guns they are dangerous things for play,
In the hands OF children. you know"
"Nonsense, Edna"
| "A little bird sat on cherry tree.
| And whistled and said. You can't shoot me- "
And neither can you, Mr.. Henry" said
Edna, laughing.
| II dom. know about that, (" Henry an
swered, catching her saucy mood. II
thfnk, little one, you are u0re than hall
in love with me now, aud will see If l
can't make you quite So"
"Just hear how the song goes on, sir.
# you please
'Onlv wait,' said the boy, till I get close
Anu nc II don't shoot you through
Do you think. said the bird, 'pm not up to
To Sit and be shot at by your"
Henry laughed III spite of himself, but
returned to the charge
"But tell me seriously, Edna, why
you don't love me, anu I'll move heav.
eli aud earth to be- more agreeable to
you. Tell me what you desire aud wish
| for in a lover"
"Weli, in the first place, my lover
must be an imposing parsonage, six feet
nigh 1T least You want fully an inch
of that standard Then be must have u
great bushy beard. Excuse me. dear
Henry, but your little moustache Is
rather miserable substitute. Theu he
must waltz divinely. sing genchantingly,
and love me as we'll, If not better, than
you do"
"Psnaw I" said Henry impatiently.-
'.If you had such lover, you would not
like the grizzly bear one half SO well a.
you 90 me. will bet you your we'd
ding ring that II such one as you de
scribe were to appear, which Is not very
likely you would after all tell me you
would take me in preference
"Tell you 80, indeed I" cried Edna.
Indignantly. 'That I will never do /;
and I willingly accept your wage-."
Very well, Edna. zee you have
some vague, romantic dream of some
Corsair Of q lover, and for the present
stand but poor chance; but you know
am to set out on my travels tomorrow,
and
/ my love she's but lassie yet.
My love she's but lassie yet,
I'll leave her for year or two.
And she'll not be 20 saacy yet"
Pardon me, Edna you are fond of old
songs. Good bye"
So saying, the young man left the
apartment.
The next day Henry came to take
leave of Edna. previous to going to South
America, where he expected to soj0urn
for two or three years. They were both
sadder than Oh the day before, and Ed
mas eyes looked very much as though
she had been having a good cry" be-
fore he came.
Edna said Henry, after awhile,
with an effort to be gay, ''do you still
persist in what you said yesterday p
Don't you love me one bit.
Mot much," said Edna, family.
"And do you still want that whisker.
ando of yours to come and WOO and win
you?
"Not much, said Edna, again. "Tha'
is to say"
"Pshaw! Edna, I see very plainly
how the matter stands with you"
Indeed, 1 am not, sir!" exclaimed
Edna. indignantly.
Indeed you are, my DEAR" returned
Henry; lover head and ears in lovs
with me. but you don't know it, and ]
suppose will have to wait patiently
until you find it out and tell me So"
"That will never ha ~
II have not forgotten our bet, Edna
and when you reject your ideal ant
tell me you love me. ] shall expect you
to present me with our wedding ring
but should you marry your blue beard
| will present you with yours
Very well, sir. I may meet will
my ideal sooner than you think
Though am but y 'Iassie yet, !" and sh,
tossed her little head scornfully.
"Well we'll. Edna. don't be angry
r"member only this, that you have on,
plain, hOnest-hearted lover who viii
never forget you. And, Edna dear, lie
ne advise you To b ware ufthose fanel
lovers Pirates and bandits may figur
finely in romance, but they are yer,
unpleasant characters iu real life.
CHAPTER IL.
Three years p ssed quickly away, Ed
ma had "cOnle out in society,"" and hx,
gained, by her sweetness and vivacfty
) several sincere admirers; but still th
. hero, the ''iCeal" had not appeared
Henry was still detained abroad, an,
was not expected 10 return for anOthe
year, though he wrote to Edna 1t enter
walls, and received little coy letters Il
return. which failed To aafinfS his y vearn