Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1882-07-11
LETTING DOWN THE BARS.

There was high fence Of bars be-
tween them. She stood in the meadow,
he in the road. There was q wide
spreading apple tree on her side of the
fence that shaded them both She look-
ed in every respect the city girl. Her
muslin dress was limp from the morn
ing dew. and showed wet border all
around the hem, from where the grass
had brushed. She'bad on broad SUM-
down and silK kerchief knotted loose
ly about her white throat to keep off the
tan aud her shapely hands were cover
ed with buckskin gloves.
She was on her way back to the farm.
house just in sight; he was starting out
for mornings angling, and had his
fishing pole over his shoulder, when
ting down the bars for her, he planted
his elbows on the topmost one and rest
ed his cheeks in his hands
"You are romantic miss, roaming
about in the damp grass before break fast
Every thing ia eaten up, and your aunt
Louise is anxiously directing Mr.. Thorn
dyke to what she supposes are your pro-
bable whereabouts" he said.
"Bs so good as not to speak to me
either of my aunt Louise or Mr.. Thorn
dyke. am disgusted with them both !"
she retorted, hotIy.
He laughed.
"You are unkind. I thought had
one friend / shall hate you, too, ifyou
make fun of me !" and her black eyes
first flashed, then were fas'ened on the
ground, because she was tco proud to
brush away the hot, angry tears that
were in them.
From this time you shall find occa-
sion to say of me, He never smiled
again." he said, and suddenly became
his usual grave self.
Neil, if aunt Louise were a man, she
would be knave but. being woman,
what of her isn't shrew is hypocrite !"
and the tears dropped off the raised lash.
es on the muslin dress, forgotten.
There was just mere suggestion Of
amusement about the corners of his fine,
characteristic mouth. Perhaps her words
caused it; perhaps her tears, since he
had seen them.
She went on excitedly: "Why my
dear father left us girls to her when he
died is more than I can comprehend,
though have been trying 10 make it
out ever since [ was child"
There was q moments silence. He
broke it with an effort for lfcOntrOl
in his voice, which would have been
evident 70 any but herr own sxcited self
well, what Of Mr.. ThOrndyke? Has
he declared hinself?"
Her cheeks grew crimson as she re-
piled.
1.-The brave, true knight went to my
charming aunt Louise, instead of seek
ing headquarters, and she has made him
believe that l am Just ready 10 fall into
his rpoa Aud tbof 10 pnf I'll ShA haa
repI resented me as the create st sort of q
belle, and as having had score of lovers,
when she knows as well as you do that
this is my very first offer"
Just another faint suggestion of q
smile, and another question, with that
covert esgerpess which she never saw.
Well, what do you intend 70 do with
him ?'
"Do with him That isl pretty ques
tion from yOu! You know we'll enough
that, like yourself, he is cast off lover
of Carols! | have been taking the
girls old dresses, fixed over new, ever
since was small enough to walk under
the bars of gate If you think / will
do the same by one of her lovers, who
comes to me to blow on the immortal
flame ere it becomes blue taper, you
are mistaken!"
That allusion to himself had only call
ed forth slight raising of the eyebrows.
as if at some past folly.
"But Carol is 8 beauty, while you are
only fine~looking and bright he said,
tantalizingly; then watching, with
well concealed admiration, her brilliant
eyes and changing color, continued -
"You certainly ought to be content, for
Thorndyke is desperately in love with
you, whilst he was only bewitched with
Carols pretty face"
Neil, you have said enough ~ she
retorted, aDgrily. II wouldn't marry
Thorndyke if he had never seen Carol.
would as soon think of fmarrying you'll"
He WINGED. but she never noticed it.
"There is nothing on earth would
tempt me to marry. I'll be an old maid,
if for nothing else than to spite aunt
Louise. have heard of nothing else
since was ten years old. She says she
has prayed every night for it ever since
the girls grew up. How could she have
the face to-"
He laughed short, contemptuous
laugh, then said, sneeringly:
II always knew your aunt to be re-
narkably pious, and she quite proves it
by being honest enough to ask for what
she wants What would be the sense OF
praying for the heather, when all she
wishes is husbands? AS to your being
an old maid, will believe it when see
it You are like the rest Of your k!pd,
you would throw yourself in the river
first"
She looked at his cold, cynical face.
|, first angrily, then with q sudden quiV'
eriDg of the lip, and said;