Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1883-06-27

DO you suppose If did. 1 would
acknowledge it to man who is promis-
ed 10 another woman p
But Paul exclaimed eagerly you
know this is not common engage
ment. Luelia Vernon and have only
yielded passive assent to an arrange
meut we had nothing 10 do with max
ing. We have always considered our
selves engaged and it is an understand
ing IN the family that we shall marry !;
but not word of love has ever passed
between u.s.
Mrs. Enrol shrugged her graceful
shoulders slightly.
That has nothing to do with it, and
does not at all lessen an improperly
of your speaking ofloye to any other
woman, while you are the promised
husband OF Miss Vernon
Paul Hendricks did not speak for a
moment. Standing there with the set
ting sun for a background 10 his tall,
handsome figure, he seemed 10 studY
the beautiful child face before him keen
ly. Then he said quickly, and in diff
erent tone frym bis former Que:
Shall we return TO the hotel now;
Mrs. Enrol p
The widow bent her head and they
walked slowly back in. almost utter sill
ence.
Once or twice Mrs. Errol stole look
at her silent escort, aud wondered to
herself:
will he do it!'
But their eyes did not meet, and they
parted on the veranda; she to JOIN some
ladies who were chatting there, be to
90 to his room aud dash of letter to
Luelia Vernon, 10 which he rel!nquish-
ed all claim to her hand and surrender
ed all right and title in the large prop
erty left the two by deceased uncle,
on condition of their marrYiug-the one
who declined to fulfill the condition 10
forfeit his share to the other.
He could not get on answer under
three days, aud resolved he would not
speak again to Mrs. Enrol till he had
heard.
lie spent the most ofthe time in his
room. or in the country about, sketch
ing Icarelully avoiding the. hotel people
lest he should meet Mrs. Enrol, whic /
he felt he could not bear uuder the
present circumstances.
Let him once hear from Miss Vernon
and be able to say TO. his enchantress
that he was free to WOO her, aud he
would know how he stood.
Tue time went by very slowly. He
did not once catch a glimpse Of Mrs.
Enrol. Perhaps she was avoiding him
as much as he was her.
He was at the Office waiting for his
mail, when the letter came from Miss
Venom, and, gong back TO his room
with it in his band, found his mother
waiting there.
/ She bad come on the same train that
brought Ills answer from Miss Luella
Vernon.
Mrs. Hendricks wore an extraordina'
ry air of excitement and anxiety.
Have you heard from Miss Vernon
lately p she asked as soon as they hac
exchanged greetings.
Yes be answered, looking con-
fused, Z have a letter here from her
now
'Ohv calculated his mother, with a
sigh of relief. Do you know a widow
here of the name of Errol-a very hand
some woman p was the next question
she asked.
'Yes,' flushing.
You do? What do you know Of her
1 do bope, Paul, she has not succeeded
in what she came here for-in enIang-
ling you 10 filtration with her?
There was q look in her sons face
that made Mrs. Hendricks go on with
out waiting for him to reply:
by The merest accident, have heard
through a discharge d maid of Mrs. Yer
mons, that she and Mrs. Enrol, who
are intimate friends, some time ago
made an agreement that the widow
should.come down here, get acquainted
with you, and see if she could not make
you fall In love with her, so that you
should be the one to fail 10 accept th'
conditions by which you and Luella are
are TO share your uncle's wealth.
Mrs. Hendricks paused.
Paul had grown so white he frighlen'
ed her.
So that was the secret oil the charm
ing widows interest in himself, he was
thinking.
There always had been somethn!
about her that puzzled him, but th'
puzzle only increased the fascination
she had for him. She was 80 difleren
from other women. The thought OF he
now came over him like a spell.
Have / come too late p asked Mrs
Hendricks in sudden alarm.
TO prevent my falling in love will
Mrs. Errol Yes. l wrote three day
ago to MISS Vernon, and this letter i
her answer, accepting my remuneration
of her and the property
oh, Paul land Mrs. Enrol has a
good as nothing, only barely enough tc
keen her. How in the world she man'
aged to go about II in the style
Don't, mother. don't care VIII al
she has or has not. She has made
fool of me, and that is what no mai
co, haar kindly.'