Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1883-09-18

| latter was called away.
When she returned some fifteen minutes
after, she found the Captain bending over
Jeanie, who had risen, both of her hands
clasped in his
'Jeanie, you will never tell her?' he was
saying-and Miss Burton stopped.
For will be true to you, was the an
swer, bravely given. "And she, dear good
| Miss Burton, will never, never know"
"She does know p exclaimed the listen
or, entering with square piece of canvass
in her hands. 'TYou are false, too, Jean
nette Moore False as Florence herself
And now ask you to explain this"
She turned the canvass towards them,
and disclosed picture-a scene familiar to
them all-the lawn at Burton Hill, and
three figures there-Miss Jeannette's faith
er, with a paper in his hands, his head
bowed with grief-she herself kneeling,
with her piteous face turned to the sky,
while Roy stood at distance, calm and
white, with terrible agony in his brown
eyes. This was Jeanie's idea of how they
had looked on that dreadful morning, TWEEN
| ty years before, and she had written in ten
der, girlish pity, ''Gloria's Desertion," in
one corner.
''You painted it?''
eyes" Jeanie found voice to reply.
"You are false to me-to all !! Now take
this vile thing, and leave my house! You
| are to wait for nothing-go Immediately
| Will you stand aside, Lawrence ?''
She seized the shivering form, led her to
the door and put her outside. Captain
Wittmore followed her.
"You are mad, Jeanette v' heexclaimed,
as the door closed on poor Jeanie. ''Let
me explain. II
"You will not say word Neither will
you allow her till morning. I command it,
and | will see that my commands are en-
forced -
The morning broke clear. Jeannette
Burton stood at the low window in the
library, her sunken eyes turned without,
where figure toiled its way to the gate oi
Burton Hill. 1t was man, tall and ma,
jestic, whose eyes never left the limp, help
less figure he held.
Miss Burton threw open the window as
he approached. ~.
''She cannot be brought here p cried
she.
He lifted pair of dark, stern eyes to
her face, and stepped over the easement
with his burden, which he placed upon the
sofa by the fire. Poor Jeanie was wet
through, and utterly unconscious. Her
lashes rested upon her white cheeks, and
her long, soft hair fell like a veil half over
them.
"You are Jeanette Burton ?" asked the
stranger.
81 ann
"And she is
"Jeannette Moore"
"Florence Burton's daughter ?'
"Yes.''
''I thought so; I recognized the picture.
1t is sadly defaced. Do you know what it
is?"
He held up Jeanie's picture, all wet and
soiled.
81 do. But who are you?''
"I am Robert Burton, the Roy of this. -
He pointed to the canvas.
''NIy brother - Miss Jeanette cried.
Jeanie stirred and lifted her violet eyes.
II meant no harm, Miss Burton" she
said, family ''His eyes were so beautiful,
and l wanted to see how they would look
sorrowful. So painted it, and then / put
in the others-you and Mr.. Burton Please
forgive me.''
Miss Burton left the room and returned
with Captain Wittmore, who looked with
| frightened eyes at Jeanne.
'Jeannette, he said, huskily, turning
to her, ''you must hear me now. for he1
sake, whether you will or not. l wanted
her to keep my secret. Five yerrs ago
was gambler-no inoffensive player, but g
desperate gambler, with no higher employ
ment. They saved me, Harry Moore an6
his gentle, violet-eyed child. l loved you.
Jeanette, and did not want you to know.
Poor little Jeanie, she kept my secret
we'll"
"Thanks," whispered the girl, feebly,
and tainted dead away.
| She had not been false after all, but she
had paid for her truth almost with her life
When at last she recovered, there was q
quiet wedding at the Hill, and Gloria (ev
erybodv called her that now) took hel
away with the Captain and herself to theil
own home. After little while Jeanie
went back to Burton Hill with Roy, as his
wife.
'Jeanie, the trne p Roy calls her, laugh
ingly, sometimes, and then, with a tender
clasp of the slender form, he assures hel
that the child has atoned a thousand times
for the pain the mother caused him.