Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1883-01-26
srai, P" the lady inquired.

Yes, think l could, if I had til
opportunity"
NOW, look at my face well do you thin
you should recollect my features ?"
: YES, am sure should never forge
your features"
) "Of course might have expected 20
70 say that; but do you think you could d
, me from recoleSylonns =, 4
"Well. if it he necessary, I wf1Itrss ~ =.
can't you give me any sittings?''
No, quite impossible; it could not b.
IL is said that the print I showed to 80
, before dinner is like me; do you thin
50 ?''
Not much" replied; sit has not you
expression. If you can give me only on
sitting. it would be better than none"
mo, don't see how it could be.''
J The evening being by this tine prett
ssar advanced and the chamber candles be
ing brought in, on the plea Of being rathe
tired she shook me heartily by the han
and wished me goodnight. My mvsteri
Gus acquaintance caused me no small pom
dering during the night had never beef
introduced to her, had not seen he
speak to Anyone during the entire evenin,
mot even to wish them goodnight
she got across the country was an inexpli
cable mystery. Then, why did she wisl
me to paint her from memory. and VIII!
could she not give me even one sitting
Finding the difficulties of solution t.
these questions rather increased upon me
made up my mind to defer further con
alteration OF them till breakfast time
when supposed the matter would receive
some calculation.
The breakfast now came. but with it nc
lady in black. The breakfast over. we
| went to church. came home to luncheon,
and so on through the day, but still no lady
neither any reference to her. I then con-
cluded that she must be some relative who
had gone away early in the morning to
visit another member Of the family living
close by. was much puzzled, however.
by no reference whatever being made to
her, aud finding no opportunity of leading
nay RSAS va Wy NOu VC1 o0CiOu Will CU0 ldIOl
ly towards the subject, went to bed The
second night more puzzled than ever. On
the servant coming in. in the morning
ven' ured to ask him the name of the lady
who dined at the table on the Saturday
evening, to which he answered:
"a lady, sir? No lady, only Mrs. Kirk.
beck, sir.''
Eyes, the lady that sat opposite me,
dressed in black ?''
Perhaps Miss Hardwick, the governess,
Nr?''
mo, not Miss Hardwlck she came
down afterwards
mo lady as l see, SIR"
"Oh, dear me. yes the lady dressed in
black that was IN the drawing room
when arrived, before Mr.. X rkbeck Came
homer"
The man looked at me with surprise az
II he doubted my sanity. and only an.
swered, 81 never See any lady, sir" and
then left.
The mystery now appeared more impen.
etrable than ever. l thought 1t over in
svery possible aspect, but could come to no
conclusion upon it. Breakfast was early
that morning IN order to allow Of nv
catching the morning train to London
Tho same cause also slightly hurried VA
and allowed no time for conversation be.
v0nd that having direct reference to the
business that brought me there; so, after
to return to paint the portraits
IN that day three weeks, made my adieus
and took my departure for town.
1t is only necessary for me to refer to |
ny second visit to the house in order to |
tate that was assured most positively |
10Th by Mr.. and Mrs. Kirkbsck. that NO |
ourth person dlned at the table on tho |
evening IN question. Their re-
collection was clear on the question, al
hey had debated whether they should ask
Hiss Hardwick. the Roverness, to take the
'acant seat. but had decided not to do 80:
'either could they recall to mind any such
'erson as described In the whole circle of
heir acquaintance.
Same weeks passed. 1t was close upon
'hristmas. The light of short winter
ay was drawing to a close, and was
lated at my table writing letters for the
vening post. Ny back was toward thu
olding-doors leading into the room in
7hich my visitors usually waited. had
cen engaged some minutes in writing
7hen, without hearing or seeing anything.
became aware that person had come
through the fielding doors. and was then
andlng beside me. turned and beheld
he lady of the railway carriage. l SUP.
osa that my manner indicated that I Was ,
omewhat startled, as the lady. after the
sual salutatioa, said, Pardon me for
you. You did not hear me come
L."
Her manner, though it was more quiet
nd subdued than had known it bsfore,
as hardly to be termed grave, sCill less
'rrowful. There was change; bit it was
lat kind of change only which may often be
oserved from the frank impulsiveness of a
q intelligent young lady to the composure t
nd SO f-p0ssession Of that same young ,
dy, when she is betrothed or has recent r
become marion. She asked me- wheth- '
had made any attempt at a likeness of d
Or. l was obliged to confess that I had h
1t. She regretted it much, as she wished il
10 for her father. She had brought an n
lgraving IA portrait of Lady M. A. with h
n that she thought would assist me. 1t
was like the one she had ask ed my opin- v
n upon at the house in Lincolnshire It f
I'd always been considered very like her.
I'd she would leave it with me. Then
utting her hand impressively on my arm)
70 added "ohe really would be most ! Z
ankful and grateful to me if would do
and if recollect rightly, she added Il
Is much depended on it, Seeing she q
rs SO much in earnest I took nm nv u