Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1882-03-31
GORDON LEIGH.

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A small room with dark wainscoting
and hardwood floor, touches of crimson
shining out upon the walls, and the curious
dlamond-paned windows. In the rose
twined oriel window grave-faced, middle
aged man, covertly watching the downcast
face of girl still in her teens.
The man is Gordon Leigh; the girl IS
Leslie Morgan, Gordon Leigh's ward.
Tonight is Leslie's eighteenth birthday;
and Gordon, who has grown to love his
ward as men who only love the women
they wish to marry. determines to seek an
opportunity to plead his cause. Place and
circumstances befriend him. The sum-
mer moonlight, y-laden, fewer-scented
drifts in through the open windows; the
evening insects hum their faint, indolent
chorus of encouragement; while in the
distance, like earth-fallen stars, CLEAN the
lights of the nisht boats passing up and
down the river; and old Mrs. Leigh lies
fast asleep in the library. Still Leigh il
llent. He feels the hush and stiffness of
che night, and now that he is face to face
with the question of his life, he wonders
At his own effrontery; for all men, even
ne vainest of them, feel strangely small
| and worthless when their hopes hang on a
woman's word, and Gordon Leigh posses
ses less vanity than usually falls to man.
"Leslie," he says at last, and his voice
sounds strange to his ears.
She turns her pure Young face toward
him witt, wide-open questioning eyes.
81 have something to say to you"
And L." she echoes, softly. shave
something to Say to you"
There is ID look in her eyes he has never
seen there betore-a glad. steadfast Look
that yet hides itself half shyly. 1t stirs
him to bis innermost nature. He fancies
she can hear his heart beat. and wonders
If she has guessed his secret, and if that
smile of ineffable content Is the forerunner
of his "Y es' -
"Shall tell my story frst?" she asks,
with little tremulous culver of happi-
ness, as he makes no attempt to speak
He mods assent, glad of moment in
which to real re his new-found joy before
stretching out his hands to take it.
ut is love story" she says, softly, the
eyes, looking dreamily oyer the moon-food-
ed lawn and terraces, yelling over with
the same subtle look of contentment.
Yes ?" 1t is all he can frame his lips
to say, but he moves step nearer, and
bends his iron-gray head till she can feel
his breath upon her hair. Then she
stretches out a slim white hand, and he
grasps it half convulsiyely.
my ring" she stammers, flushing all
over her fair girl face. II wanted you to
see it,"
He loosens his hold, and with a sudden
sense of i'll, looks at the fingers lying cool
and still in his. A diamond flashes its
colors into his eyes. dazzling and binding
him. He puts his hand to his head in a
dazed sort of way, and grows white to the
lips.
"Mother?" he questions, with piteous
break up in his voice.
ooh no." she answers, simply. oval
lace Hobart 1 have promised to be his
wife,
Gordon Leigh drops the hand as though
1t hurt him, and walks to distant win
dow. i{e is stron man, and man &C.
custo ed to self-control, but it is several
moments before he can force his features
to assume their customary expression
When he returns to the girl, he finds her
standing where he left her, smile on her
lips. far away look in her eyes, that warns
him he is forgotten. He coughs sharply
It startles Leslie into remembr nee of
his presen g. She turns to him, flushing
slightly, and says, with a pretty air of
penitence, II fear am very rude, Cor
don."
''My dear,'' answers this middle-aged
man, with kindly gentleness. 1--WE never
expect woman to look beyond her lovers
arms. But do you know what manner of
man thisi is you have chosen for q hus-
Dand?" His voice does not falter now;
it is quiet and firm, and very. very tender.
II only know that he loves me- she re-
plies, with half-exultant ring to her
voice, land that 1 love him."
Gordon Leigh s face grows ashy PALE
He turns toward the window that he may
not see the pain he fancies his words will
bring into her face. He'mlght have spared
himself the trouble. She listens with ut
ter Indifference to the story OF Wallace
Hobart's hard, fast life, and when he looks
cautiously around, the sight OF her smil-
ing face dumfounds him.
"Child!' he cries. passionatsly, lean you
marry a man like that?"
She rouses herself with an effort, looks at
him half dreamily. as though collecting
her thoughts, laughs softly, and says, In a
low voice-a voice vibrating with love and
tenderness, II become of age to-day, and I
shall give my whole future into his keep
ing whenever he asks it,"
Leigh groans aloud. He realizes the
uselessness of further arguments. Leslie
Morgan is a woman whose reason will new
er rule her beaIt-beats.
All. me! what curious thing life is,
with its unanswerable why's" and curl
,s-yl.d tsrvh araforaa ~