Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1883-10-31

vi HIS lllcs
'Why do you always wear the topaz
Miss Evelyn p he asked her later that
day.
He had glanced up with ready
frown at the exquisite sharp and charm
ing brunette face, precelving only the
yellow gem he whimsically abomina-
ted, glttering in her coal-black hair
and amid the white laces on her bos-
ON.
AS an amulet, she replied quickly,
merrily aud meaningly. 1t is pre-
servative against poison, you know
The speech was not quite civil, the
laughing glance of the big black eyes
was saucy and significant, but her man
ner was the perfection Of innocent play
fulness.
Fred's frowning face crlmsoned.
What monster Of iniquity would
wish to harm so gentle and gracious a
lady p he retorted with ungallant
irony.
obe regarded him for moment with
a curiously intent and que stioning look,
before which his coun tenance sudden
ly hanged-auddenlY he seemed de-
tensivc rather than aggressive, as one
who feared bis own weakn ess rather
than the strength Of the enemy.
Perhaps she discerned something in
his uneaslness that she willfully de-
clined 10 understand perhaps she
comprehended a pain that thrilled her
more than she cared to acknowledge
or she, too, changed.
'Mr. Ives,' she began at length, with
singular new splendor in her sweet
smile and singular new sweetness in
her voice, ANY sarcasm is absurd be-
tween you aud me. The candid truth
Is so much better always even if it be
dsagreeable. 1 am perfectly aware
that you detest me; that everything l
do dlspleases or annoJs you. You
have given me abundant proof of dis
like, and never yet vouchsafed me
kindness nor a courtesy. 1t Is you who
are ungentle-you are ungracious.
Why you are so, 1 may not Inquire; but
shall emplore our Carrie to send me
away, and trust that you may meyer
again be afflicted with the presence OF
30 luckless a person as myself
And while he marveled if this new
amiability, this charming combination
OF humility and dignity, were sincerity
or a snare, she had gone, leaving him
somewhat bewildered and wh oily un-
comfortable.
4 have mind 10 try the subj ugate d
black horse myself, he thought pres
eully, as he noted the CLEAN of white
dress and an amber scarf among the
trees up the long shady road.
But the black horse had not been
subiugated for Frod's pleasure, evi-
IDENTIFY. The mettle that had been
obedient 10 the slightest command of
one dainty, daring girl, had not been
tanned for his con troll.
jessie, pauslng by the pleasant way
side, was suddenly started by the un-
steady tramp Of hoofs, and looked up
to behold the unmanageable animal
galloping toward her. The next IN
slant he tossed his vicious head alott
and reared on his launches; slmultan-
eously, the saddle girth snapped asun-
der. and the unfortunate rider was pre-
cpitated upon the level sward almost
at her very feet.
~ Fred, are you hurt? p she inquired
in tones of tenderest concern, as she
knclt down beside him and slipped her
pretty arm beneath bis fallen head.
Yes he answered gazing straight
up into her anxious eyes. 4 am hurt
10 death for love vt the girl who hates
me. who fancies that L have disllked
her.
1T was an old iove-making. doubt
lessly; but there and then, holding
fast the little wilful hand, the lover re-
hearsed the ancient and detachable
story.
'Of course 1 will marry you Ffed,'
she assured him sweetlY. L always
knew I was doomed 10 be the plague OF
,orr lifo