Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1883-01-02
A BRAVE DEED.

Ada Carfit was decidedly the belle of
SCARBOROUGH; and as that small but
bustling Midland town had q reputa.
tion among its neighbors for lovely
lasses. the distinction was great one.
In figure. the girl was somewhat small
and slight; but in feature she had attain
ed almost to perfection, both of outline
and of tint.
She had lofty, well proportioned
brow, around which rippled rich waves
of aubu hair.
She had eyes of dreamy blue, cheeks
just sufficiently tinged with delicate
carmipe to throw into relief the pearly
whiteness Of her teeth.
The worst of 1t was, she knew that
she was beautiful, and the knowledge
spoiled her.
Ada was the only child of a wealthy
scarborough manufacturer, and added
to her other charms that of being 3 very
considerable beiress.
Naturally she had of suitors not o
few.
But Ladies Clara We're de We're can
exist In much lower circles than that of
the poets faulty heroine and Ada Car.
fit had caught the vice of proud CO.
quetrJ.
She relished her power over suscepti
BILE hearts, and did her best to extend
it. ~.
The breath of homage was a life to
her.
She led her wooers gently on till the
tolls were all around them, and then, of
q sudden, they found an impossible
barrier erected, and Ada's smiles were
for newer comers
1t was an amhsement, half the zest of
heing, to her she never wasted an anx
iOus thought on what il might mean to
her victims.
Men were strong, and must protect
themselves.
The last to enter the charmed circle
had been youth from the North, who
in appearance and manners was certain
ly at disadvantage with those whom
he quickly came to consider his rivals.
Roger Herlestone was two-and-twen-
ty; but his thick-set, burly figure, and
his abundance of beard, made him look
years older.
He was heavy in feature, uncertain in
movement, and awkward in address.
AS the nephew of Mr.. Marston, of
Marston & Marsh, cotton-mill owners,
his prospects were very good.
But the knowledge of this fact some
how failed to give him the needed self
confidence.
Rogers many blunders made him to
large extent the butt of his male &C
quaiDtance, and it was probably this
that caused Ada Carfit, out of sheer op-
position, to treat him with marked
favor,
Philip. Dare, the lawyer, had likened
Rogers to the proverbial "bull in q china
shop :" and Philip Dare should be made
to bite his lip with vexation at her de-
ference TO the despised one.
But once again she was kind only to
be cruel
"I cannot tell whether she cares for
me-, or whether she does pot," said
Roger Herlestone to his younger broth.
or, Martin Sometimes I think one
thing, and sometimes another. But this
am sure of, she is all the world to
men
"Tben I'd ask her, old fellow"
'But-but-she has always 80 many
round her. Ada Carfit is the queen of q
large circle, and L"
"Have been the best of sons, the best
of brothers, and have no doubt, would
make the best of husbands"
"And ] )" said Roger, resuming, slow
ly, and paying no heed to this enthusi-
astic praise, "am rough and homely
maD, who has almost as good q right 10
dream of becoming Prime Minister as
of winning such wife,"
Nonsense. Roger! DoA't be so un
necessarily modest You are just as
goo0 as she and the girl must know it I"
"Then," and the elders tone changed
suddenly; "I'll put 1t to the test and
see. If Ada refuses me. it will be Just
another dream dispelled, and ] shall
face the worst"
The opportunity soon came.
The two were thrown much together
at summer picnic party, and some
malign genius made Ada more than ever
gracious -.+s.-.-.
1t seemed to her that she had succeed.
ed in thawing the ice of her admirers
awkwardness, and the studied compli-
ments he paid her awoke the gleam of q
sunny, satisfied smile.
She little suspected the commotion
that was working beneath the surface
They had wandered out of sight and
hearing of the rest, on pretence of exam
lining some curiously shaped rocks.
"How still the air is, under the sun /"
said Ada, stopping at low fence that
crossed the hillside.
For q moment her companion did not
answer. and she cast q casual glance
upwards at bis face.
What Ada saw there made her start
and slightly shiver. " C
b