Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1883-09-14

teau; was looking at her with sudde,
i strange feeling that had the right. Surel,
when a man has worked 80 hard to please
. pretty girl he has the right to look a
| tcr; this was my simple thought. For
was new to love, slow to realize my owl
stirred soul. l took the flowers, Jus,
| thinking [ would like to kiss them, if
dared. l took them silently. But she
only smiled again in her pretty, innocen
way, and went on talking.
II did not like to lose them so soon af
ter got them. We only came in the
last stage, but slipped away from the
Others as quickly as I could and came
down here. l always so long to see thu
glen. Isn't it the prettiest place in the
|, Mountains ?"
My wits floated slowly back. Yes, anC
il is lovlier than ever this season. re-
pied. "rhere has been new path open
ed through the south pass. If you like l
I will guide you back that way.''
l did not deem it an impertinent propo-
sition; it was, in fact, very permissible
one in the free life of these mountains
all the same, dared not look at her. But
almost before the words left my lips she
was tying on her pretty hat, her eyes
sparkling with delight. From that mo.
ment it was one to me. Through the
wonderful sonth pass L wandered with
her, listening enraptured to the sweet
girl-voice, stealing mad looks at the fair.
est face had ever gard upon-all in
such daze of blissful. bewildering pas.
sion that, at times, the fancy seized me
that was, after all, only walking with
poor Glen Mary who might, any moment
slip away from me.
But the sweet dream was broken rude.
ly; just as the path verged on the road
way she turned and looked up at me.
do you know" she said, II think
there is something very strange about
these mountainsp Here 1 have been
talking with you, perfect stranger, as
freely as though had known you all my
life-actually telling you our family af-
AoiAo' w hJs yOu WOulu JlOVcI huOW hC-
bah Wayne. should you meet her in the
city,
Despite her words she still smiled at
me, but I only starred at her-the little
girl from Chillingworthl Suddenly, in
the light of the astonishing revelation,
Jacks words came flashing back. Some
how they flashed pre-eminent; it seemed
to nae, this bewildered moment, that /
had been deliberately doing a wicked
ching, acting base, mean part to Jack.
With only Jack in my mind, 1 answered
her
Eyes, freedom between strangers has
been the fashhiiccaa here always, but that
does not make it proper. You'd it not
be as well for you and to vary the GUS
tom. and be simply strangers after this ?''
The works spoken, 1 realized my idiocy;
quickly my lips re-opened to retrieve them
.as Jbesl I could. But Ia vain she did
hear me. she would not listen; deep
flush of anger. of indignation, quickly
followed her first astonished look, and
then
''As we are,' she spoke quietly. and
passed on before me. [ did not presume
even to follow slowly. Quite beside N.Y.
self, l turned and strobe back again
through the glen to the outlet back of che
hotel. / was never romantic man, but
1 went supperless that night All the
evening 1 kept my room, despite jacks
wondering protestations. Once l stole
out on to the broad stairway, moved by
an irresistible impulse.
To see my fair Glen Mary, albeit she
frowned at me. To see Jack-with rap
ture in his face, bending down to the lit
tie girl from Chillingworth, while she up
turned the same sweet, tricksy face l had
that day come to worship
Never again would it so look at me
The thought might have frenzied any
man, so suddenly. so maily in love as l.
But Instead, grew more rational; the
sweet face doomed up to calm me, as |
went back to my room. She would surely
pardon mo when sh4 understood writ
ten ex.lauation would make matters right
between US, and then had as good a
chance as Jack Because he was in love
with her it did not at all follow that she
was IN love with him. All jubilant, ]
wrote to Rebah Wayne, airing Jack witch
an impunity only regretted was essen
tial to the Case. For what was Jack tu
l,,tv, hot Il e,Jt nf
lived and breathed IN her.
Early on the morrow I sent my letter,
and them kept away from her. through
the day. impatient as was, for felt that
must give her time. But, toward even
ing, all confidence, I strolled into the sa-
Icon. had caught glimpse of her from
without, sitting with Jack again It was
all one; Jack either way, did not trouble
me. l cared not whether the precious
sign she would proffer were an open hand
sssetch in his presence, or the smile too
faint for him to note; 1 only thought to
geu it. I strolled up and past her, gazing
eagerly in her face. She
She-regarded me as she would have the
verlest stranger in the city's streets.
There was naught for me but to return
to my room-and write again. Three
successive days did this, always with
the same result. And yet | was not DIS
mayed l ordered huge box of the rar-
est Jacqueminots and sent them to her
with fourth pleading note. They came
back within an hour, with the scathlng
line
From stranger to stranger such con
duct is quite objectionable.
Then began to realize. 1 was not act
ing the part of gentleman; 1 was max
ing myself ridiculous. Moreover, there
was daily growing desire IN my heart to
decoy Jack down to Glen Mary, and