Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1883-08-31

had learned the shallow, heartless nature
@of the girl who had bewitched him with
her beauty and grace.
She had seen her fash into quick pas
sion when some dress, tried for the first
time, failed to fit; had known how dull
and listless she was until Aliens coming
quickened her into life had been herself
the martyr to her thoughtlessness and her
supreme selfishness.
But none Of this might she tell to Allen
not even when one day he came to her,
with more of the old Allen than she had
seen of late in his manner, and with
warm glow of happiness on his face, which
made her own heart beat madly for mo-
ment, and then stop quite still, as he ex-
planned to her This nearest and best friend,
he said) its cause.
He had asked Miss Carol to marry him,
and she was his promised wife. Somehow
the poor little girl hid her own hurts with
a brave smile as she wished him happt
ness, but that night no sleep came to the
brown eyes, and her pillow was wet with
her tears.
In September, Miss Carol left them
but another gem was added to her stock of
Jewels, and she wore it on the third finger
of her left hand-the finger, they say, from
which runs vein direct to the heart. The
weeks that followed were very hard for
Jennie to bear. for into her ear Allen
poured all his lovers rhapsodies. Every
day he came to the farm, but he could
talk of nothing but the beauty and perfec-
tion of his future wife.
Poor little Jennie! She early learned
the lesson few women are spared-teach-
ing her lips to smile while her soul writhed
in agony.
But Jennie's revenge, if her generous
nature could have harbored such thought,
was near at hand.
Christmas was fast approaching
one day, Allen, as usual, came unannounc-
ed into the CHEEKY sitting-Ioom.
The smile died away on her face, as she
and stern.
"Allen - she cried, "What isit What
has happened 2"
sRead thatl" he answered, and tossed
cretsed ss:eet of paper upon her lap.
Wonderingly she unfolded and read it
through. Thus it ran:
II wrote you last summer, dearest, Of
my filtration in the country with man
kindly fate threw in my path-a Irritation
I foolishiy allowed to run into an engage
ment-though, of course, no one here sus
poets the truth, and really the boy The is
hardly more than boy) was so desperate
ly in earnest that could not help myself.
After all, it makes no difference. Engage
ments, happily, are easily broken; and
when tell you what Louis Latrobe has
written papa-that he is coming to pay us
fortnight's visit at Christmas-you will
understand there is a prospect Of my last
sharing the fate with some others which
have preceded it.
"You know, of course, how immensely
rich Mr. Latrobe is; how his father in
early life had made some sort of obligation
to papa; and how, if we should happen to
fall in love it would be charming termi-
nation to the old friendship between
them. OF course I am prepared to be a
willing victim. l rave seen his picture.
He is wy handsome, and such wealth,
me chere I could ou'rival all my friends.
extraordinarily, Allen writes me that he
intends spending Christmas with me, too,
and lis his letters with all lovers rhap-
sodies, and his inpatience to once more
behold my charms. Of course I do not
wish to break my engagement with him
(really, he is not at all bad parti, and
have rather sentimental liking for him)
until l know something of Mr.. Latrobe's
intentions; therefore 1 have written him
(Allen) letter shall send by this mail,
telling him mamma is quite ill (she has a
very bad coId,) and asking him to post
pone coming until January, when can see
more Of him.
more or less it will be. according to de-
velopments; but naturally 1 shall not
dwell upon the latter possibility. Now.
my dear, after unburdening to you my
heart and conscience, feel 1t lightened
of load. Do you wonder the response
|
Jennie could read no more. With a
face as white as Aliens own she uplifted
it from the sheet, which, unconsciouslY,
she crushed in her right hand with a ges'
ture of contempt.
"Allen!' she almost gasped, "What
does it all mean II don't understand
it,"
eft means that Miss Carols usual So.
gacity failed her, and she put the letter
intended for her friend in the envelope ad
dressed to me. It means that heaven has
been kinder to me than Deserve" Then
suddenly breaking down, he dropped into
chair and bowed his head on his arms
God help me ~ he said. II have been
totterlng on the brink of ruin, and thought
1 stood on the threshold of heaven!"
No words could comfort him, Jennia
knew, and forgetful of herself, she crossed
to his side and laid her little hand lightly
on the chestnut hair. He put up his own
and drew it down to his lips. 1t was the
!, FIRST caress he had ever given her. From
that day Miss Carols name was never
| | opOhSu uCOWcou uuCul, 0dVO WAOu oACO @
letter came from her.
Allen had redirected the letter he had
received through mistake, and sent ii
back to her. She had mailed no reply until
Mr.. Louis Latrobe had come and gone
when, believing her own power infinite
she had written to recall him:
1T was all a sorry jest, Allen" she said