Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1883-11-09

CONSIDERABLE.
"Where?"
"Neil use to bring her to the assemblies
LIST W nter.''
"On p
The red faded out of Truths cheeks
again.
She had not been to the assemblies; she
had tendency 10 ugh. and the doctor
had forbidden it; and Neil Gaynor did not
dance.
Why. then. had he taken his pretty
cousin, Maud Myrtle to them.
Obviously only to please her.
She was good dancer. she had heard !;
and Hal, who was very fastidious, pro-
nonnced her pretty.
Truth pushed away her maringue un-
tas' ed.
The color did not come back into the
round cheek.
She went up stairs and tried to think
What she would wear to Mrs. ST Roses.
Whatever it might be. she was sure Maud
Myrtle's would be- prettier.
She was very fashionable, and Neil had
an eye for dainty costumes.
No sign of Neil that evening. nor all the
next long, bright day, though the st. Rose
carriage had gone iy-Neil driving with
his beautiful cousin.
Miss MYRTLE was beautiful
Truth saw that she was charming bru-
nette. with a cherry red mouth. and curl
ing black lashes.
Size WAS talking to Neil with the most
delightful animation, and he was listening
with an enjoyable smile.
If she had been crying again. when she
came down dressed for the party, coloer e
and a dash Of pearl powder had concealed
all results about the pretty eye lids.
She wore white and knots of cherry
blossom. and locked gentle and sweet
enough for nun or bride, Neil Gaynor
thought, when he sa her.
He bowed pleasantly.
He had Maud on his arm he seemed de
voted tn her. Truth thought.
He finds her kinder than I, and she is
far prettier!'' she murmured.
She fe,t as if she were choking, but she
must not be ba BY there.
Size forced herself to chat and eat ices,
keeping for the most part with H al. though
he was strangely pre-occupied. and spilled
cream and Numbered over ladies' dresses
in most unusual way for him.
Truth asked him to take her out into
the garden at last. and he did so.
Part was illuminated with Chinese Ian
terms. and part In lovely mOon.lieh ted
shadow but the moonlight. and the fra
GRANGE, and music, made Truth want to
cry worse than before-that strange lonely
pain at her heaIt was so very hard to hear
Hal threw himself down on the seat of
little rose-covered arbor, with long
SIGH, which Truth observed, and asked
him if his new boots hurt him.
He replied gravely that they did not al :
though they were were snug fit.
lyon had better run ard sing that duet
with Mrs. st. Rose. which you declined tn
dn awhile ago. while smoke ciear,'' re
said. Il will be here when you come
back"
Perhaps she hadn't been nice to decline;
it wouldn't do to nope there any wsv
Truth knew; she certainly should be cry
ing-the music of the band hidden amorg
The acacias was so sad; 80. never suspect
ing that Hal wanted to be rid of her. she
turned away and fitted back to the par
lnrs.
Again Mrs. st. Rose urges her to sing
with her, and this time she consented.
But the words blurred and the lights
dszzled her, for Neil with Maud upon his
arm went out as she came in.
After the song she f'rted desperately
with Bert St Rose for twenty minutes,
and then slipped away to rel ,in Hal.
She ran down the piazza steps, turned
around clnmp of shrubhery, and there,
in the shadow of locust tree, stood pair
of lovers.
She could only sea the ontline Of the
gentleman's form in the gloom. hut of
course it was Neil Gaypor. for the glow of
\ Chinese lantern struck Maud Mvrtle's
face while it wa lifted tenderly TO his, as.
bending, he kissed those beautiful! lips
and as Truth ransed. breathless. she saw
a ring slirpf d on that snowy hand.
With a g b ahe turned and fled noiseless
~ as zephyr.
She reached the rose arbor by another
path.
She rushed into the fragrant gloom and
flung herself upon the half incumbent
figure on the rustic seat.
''Oh, dear Hal. take me home II want
20 go! cannot stay here! Neil Gaynor
is engaged to his cousin, and its all my
fault. refused him. didn't dare tell
YOU. But oh, I'm so miserable! Yon
don't need to scold me. Hal. AS soon as
he had gone knew / loved him. He's 81
brave, good and.splendid. How con'd l
help it? was sillv; but I am unhappy
enough now. Oh. Hal, take me home!
my heart will breakl''
The arms which had closed so quickly
about her drew her closer.
In all his life, Hal had never failed to be
tender when she repented of her follies.
Don't scold me, Hal? I'm punished
enough, I love him so, and have lost him!"
"Are you sure. little girl?"
1t wasn't Halls voice.
Truth caught quick breath as that
strange yet familiar voice went on
Are yon sure that you love me, Truthle
darlingP Because hold you so dear 1
cannot he trifed with again."
NELL"
Eyes"
IL am all in the darkl' ytammered
Truth. trying to free herself.