Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1883-10-26
mer lover. ''He is deeply in love with me,
and can wind him around my finger"

lish, dashing Raycliffe, the new arrival,
sure to create Juror among the maids
and matrons Of Sunnydale.
John would not soften, spite Of the
moonlight and Janet's appraised eyes,
shining under the fair, curly iashes.
II will come back when you can treat
fellow decently. Janet. I am not going to
be fooled to The top of my bent to please
you any longer. Good evening. @
That was the last Janet saw OF john
But she had little time to think of him,
while Mr.. Raycliffe devoted himself so en-
tirely to her amusement. He painted her
portrait, and while she sat for him, beguiJ-
ed the time reciting in tender tones, yards
I OF tender, sentimental poetry they went
on Stretching tours; they sat on the piazza
in the twilight, and gang together, for
JaEet had sweet alto voice, which the
boarder was not long in finding admirably
suited to his own.
Things went on until Janet's mother,
with many nod and beck and wreathed
smile, intimated that there was an ''un-
derstanding' between the young people.
John Wentworth was well enough in his
way, honest, sober and Industrious, and
shrewd as need be, but she looked higher
for Janet.
Janet had been to boarding school, she
had the education of lady, she could
sing and play the piano, and Mr.. Rayclffe
bad praised her drawing more than lit
tie. And by the way he hung around this
time to 60 back to the city was up long
ago, but he had engaged the room for au-
other month), she was sure something
would come Of it. She could sniff we'd
dings in the air, and went so far as to ask
| Mrs. Browns opinion as to the most fash
ionable way of making dresses, and as to
whether it would not be advisable to send
to Boston for nice dress, very nice one,
suitable--and then Janet's mother smiled
and looked very wise-suitable for we'd
ding dress. OF course Mrs. Brown knew
at once that the dress was for Janet, and
through Mrs Brown, who was sometimes
called ''the Sunnydale daily tattler," the
rest of the inhabitants we're informed
without loss of precious time.
The report came to the ears of John
Wentworth. Like sensible fellow he
concealed whatever telling of disappoint-
ment and chagrin the announcement
aroused from the prying and inquisitive
eyes of the busy-bodies. He did not stay
away from church or from any of the social
village gatherings of young people, because
l ha hor oIo
there. Not he he danced and laughed the
! more. although the pain in his heart,
which he determinedly hid from view, was
| in reality long in dying out.
Janet had been his FIRST love, and how
| ever lightly she had loved him, be, at least,
| had been sincere, aud could not forget her
! in a day, try as he might.
Time, however, is great healer, and
when one hazy October day, Janet rode
over in her little ph@ton, to ask John and
his sisters to her wedding, he looked her
straight in the eyes, and wished her "a
happy future" without tremor in his
hearty voice or culver of his eyelid.
"Eugene has gone to Boston," said
Janet. ficking the flies off her gray pony,
and leaning forward. 1--WE should have
heard from him yesterday. feel little
worried. He had good deal of money
with him. We sent to the city by him for
things we could not get here. and several
Of the neighbors-Judge Jordan, Squire
Ellis, and others-paid him in advance for
portraits. dreamed last night of his
being robbed and killed l know am fool
ish, but can't feel easy"
Two days went by and no news of the
prospective bridegroom. The wedding pre-.
paratlons Jagged. Three days-Judge Jor-
N and Squire Ellis had consultation.
Bills began to fall ne, and MI. Eugene
Raycliff5 was still like the unknown guam
tity represented by x. People began to
talk. Janet's mother tuok to her bed with
an illuess, sudden; and Of nature unex-
planned and obscure.
Janet grew pale, waiting for letter.
Finally, one bright Saturday morning,
Sunnydale, Individually and collectively,
was agape over startling headline in
the Boston Journal"
ARREST late last night of Joseph Ray
mond, otherwise known as 'Dashing Joe;'
and having for his latest alias Eugene
Rayciffe. Several well-to-do residents CT
Srnnydale victmized by the accomplished
and gentlemanly scoundrel.''
The affair was nine days. wonder But
after month or two had passed away and
the excitement had quoted people began
to wonder If John Wentworth would stake
up with his pretty early love.'
Encouragement for him to do so was not
lacking $50 the matrons Of Sunnydale will
tell you) from Janet's mother. Janet her.
self wrote little note on perfumed paper
to John, and this was the closing part of
his reply:
81 do not want to reproach you for your
throwing me over as you did. You have
been punished quite enough. But for a
man like me; it's no use trying to go on
with things as they were, now. Better
each go our own way. And, although I
can't feel toward you as did once, be-
lieve that bear no ill-wili toward you,
and regard me. if you will, as a friend
STILL
When, year after, on another still o.
tober day, John told Janet of his approach
ing wedding to young lady of Boston,
Janet cried a little. and offered faint |
lachrymose congratulations, with fury
of regret and jealousy in her heart that
the young lady Of Boston fortunately
knew nothing about. And Janet's mother !
frets summer and winter because Janet is
an old maid; but, nevertheless, she frowns !
severely on any luckless man who offers