Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1883-11-16

plodSeQ or amused, seemed TO me Gn0
sweetest had ever seen, and determined
that, if it were possible, would win her
for my wife.
x \
Come. May. let US take walk, here is
your hat.''
held up broad white hat. lllace and
dainty plumes. and as May turned towards
me put it on her head and insisted on
| tying the ribbon-strings in a bow under
her chin. She stood quite still during this
performance. the d!mple appeared in her
cheek. but her eyes demure and downcast.
Then opened the gate and we passed,
out into path leading through the orchard
to pretty rustic bridge spanning the,
river.
The day was dying, but dying in regal
splendor over land radiant with summer
beauty. May leaned on the ratings of the
bridge and gaz.d with rapt eyes down the
river, that reflected faithfully the sunset g
hues, until, at the horizon, it seemed to
be lost in the crimson glory. And l.
well, there is a time in every mans life
when he appreciates one fair face more
than all the loneliness of Nature, SO
contented myself with studying the deli
Cate profile beside me.
At last, as the clouds lost their vivid
tint. she turned toward me with little
sigh.
ut is over" she said softly. "Let us
60 back to the house,"
mot ye; ~ l exclaimed, catching her
hand, my voice trembling. 81 brought you
here to tell you something. May-darling
l love you d. you think you could ever
care for me ?'
For one brief instant her eyes met mine,
and my heart thrilled, for 1 thought the
light in them was love. Then the lashes
dropped Oh her cheeks and she turned her
head shyly away. was waiting breath
lessly for her answer, when figure
emerged from the orchard path, and Mat,
the hired boy, ran towards US. dropped
Nays hand, and impatiently deman ded
his Grand. t.,4
PLEASE, Mr.. Hathaway, you're to come
to the house right away. There's d tele-
gram there for you ,..,.f
With an expression of disgust at this in
opportune intrusion, drew Nays hand
within my arm and followed the boy to the
house. Upon reading the telegram, found
that my immediate presence was requir.
business affairs.
The next train left Overton in half an
hours time, and had only time to make
some hurried preparations. I did not get
chance to say word to May in private,
and so l left for the city with my question
unanswered; but this did not trouble pe.
sfor thought that l knew what the an
swer might be.
After week later. returned. 1t was
dusk as walked up the road. and by the
dim light could descry white figure at
the garden gate. hurried gladly towards
it, for it as May.
Icaught her two little hands eagerly In
my own, and scanned her features as well
as could by the faint light.
1t seemed to me that she looked very pale
and there were heavy shadows under her
eyes.
"Have you been i'll, dear ?'' asked anx-
iously.
She struggled to get her hands away land
her voice sounded strangely cold.
mo; am quite well. Mr.. Hathaway"
''Mr. Hathaway |" Exclaimed reproach-
fully. Then bent toward her and tried
to put my arm around her waist. "Are
you ready to answer me nnwp"I said. =
DO you love me May?" Will you be m!
wife?"
She shook herself free and faced me with
a low scornful laugh.
Eyes, am quite ready to answer you.
1 do not love you; never dreamed of
such thing. L will not ba your wife,
I staggered back and stared at her in-
credulously. 1t was cruel shock for
had been confident that her answer would
be Eyes" All this summer / had been
trying to win her. and she had certainly
encouraged me-for this A sudden
furious anger filled me, and accused her
of deceit-heartless cnquetry. She an
swered my hot words with little eauntlng
laugh.
1T is the old story reversed she said
''Instead of a handsome gentleman from
the city spending summer IN the coun-
try, and amusing himself with a country
girl, country girl has amused herself for
a whole summer with city gentleman.
Then she turned and went into the
house.
. And the next day went back to the
city changed man. The thought that
May, whom I had deemed so sweet and
womanly, could be capable of the part she
had played. ranked in my mind. and re-
solved to forget her. So time passed on.
"Rrian. have engaged a governess for
Nellie. Such a pretty. dainty little crea
ture--I like her immensely. She has a
delicious voice, and I'm going to send for
her and ask her to sing for you"
was lying back lazily on comfort |
able lounge In my sister-in-law's pretty
parlor, putting away at cigar. had
cnme only that afternoon to pay my
brother long promised visit, but found,
to my chagrin, that he was away attend +.
ing to some business, and things promised
to be rather dull for me.
In answer to her words. said care
lessly:
GAIL right, sis. A little music wouldn't |
go badly just now. think it would suit
my mood admirably"
She touched bell, and directed the
servant who answered it to the parlor.
In few minutes light tap sounded on