Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1884-03-21


succeeded in reaching the entrance of the
cavalry tent, where be stood Tor minute
blinking in the sunshine, and trying with
short.sighted eyes to distinguish among
the assemblage of gayly dressed ladies
seated there the one of whom he was in
search. But if he did not see her. she
very soon saw him. and came forward
holding out = tiny pair of beautifully
gloved hands.
'.Hoao good of you to comet" she ex-
claimed. Suppose we take turn round
the ground; then we can talk quietly"
She was bright, alert little woman, her
gray hair, which was drawn straight up
from her forehead, contrasting oddly with
her still youthful complexion, and
giving her somewhat of the appearance of
an eighteenth-century marquise. The
Professor was not quite sure whether to
offer his arm or not. but finally deciding
that this was unnecessary, made grab at
his chapeless felt hat, and muttered, "De-
lighted. I N sure" He was little en-
barrassed IN the presence of his former
love, whose FIRST words showed that she,
for her part, had no such foolish feeling.
SIS it not strange that we should meet
again At Lichburg after all these years ?"
she began. II have often thought of you,
and often felt sorry" She paused and
sighed. "One does not expect men to take
things so seriously generally, you know.
1t is the men who forget, and the women
who suffer; but suppose you are differ
emit. And have spoilt your life ?''
The Professor smiled. He was thinking
that most people would hardly describe his
life as having been spoilt one; he was
thinking, too, that the Julia who had
caused him 50 much mental anguish in
years gone BY was quite another person
from the complacert little lady who was
trying to make apologies for her. He rather
wished she would drop the subject; but he
said nothing, and Mrs. AnnesleY resumed:
"You ought to hate mel quite feel
that; but doesn't some clever person say
somewhere that we never hate those who
have injured us, only those whom we have
injured l have injured you dreadfully,
but, for all that, want to make friends
and to ask q favor of you in the bargain"
She concluded her sentence with little
laugh and side glance from eyes which
had done much execution in their day.
II am sure shall be very glad if + can
serve you in any way" said the Professor
simply; land think we may very we'll
agree to let bygones be bygones. It was
something about your son, you said ?"
'Ah, yes. poor fellowr' sighed Mrs.
Annesley, II can t tell you how anxious
ana distressed am about him. He is
quartered here with his regiment, the
Twenty-seventh Lancers, and he absolute
ly refuses to leave the service; though, as
of course you know, he succeeded to q
very large property when he came of aga"
HE is still very young" remarked the
Professor. II should think another year
or two Of soldering would do him no
HARM"
"But it is absurd for man with three
large country houses TO live in barracks.
I want him to marry and settle down. I
want him-oDly this is strictly between
ourselves-to marry Violet Cecil. She is
such charming girl, and SO pretty-don't
you think so :"
us she2" asked the Professor. 81
scarcely know her."
"But you and Mr.. Cecil were always
such great friends, thought"
1--WE had not met for many years until I
came down here. and I have only seen
| Miss Cecil once. did not notice her par
ticularly."
"How funny OF you! But I remember
that you were lever very observaut. Well
. was goin to tell you about poor Bob
oh! there he is. should like so much to
| introduce him to you."
HE introduced himself to me this morn
Ing" observed the Professor, smiling.
"Oh. did lie? Well, could not intro
duce him mosc, at any rate," said Mrs.
Annesley meaninely.
The Professor adjusted his glasses, and
following the direction Of her gaze, made
| out the visitor of the morning, who had
| exchanged his uniform for suit of crick-
citing lannels, and who was pacing along
by the eide Of tall, ine-looking woman
with dark hair. The young man wore a
downcast look, and his evident un willing
ness to raise his eyes seemed to show that
he was conscious of his mothers vicinity.
"Oh. .eel' said the Professor, with
perspicacity which did him credit.
Eyes; isn't it dreadfulp What any man
can find to admire in such a woman 1
can't conceive
"She is handsome and-very we'll dress
cd. :" hazarded the Professor. after anoth-
or survey Of the lady's retreating form.
well dressed!'' calculated Mrs. Anpes-
ley, throwing up her hands. eff you can
say that, you would say anything. Pale
blue satin and imitation lace-good gra-
clous! But of course you don't under
stand these things"
"Certainly.' the Professor agreed, II
am no Judge of such matters. But who is
this lady ?"
''Ah, who indeed! That is exactly what
nobody knows. She is Mrs. Harrington
at least, that is what she calls herself
and believe she is one of those dreadful
harpies who follow regiments about all
over the world and ruin poor young men
or, rather, rich young men. She is not
exactly disreputable, 1 am told only
wish she werel-No. didn't mean that
forgot you were clergyman. beg your
pardon, I'm sure.''
Don't mind me-" said the Professor.
"And SO you are afraid that she will mar
ry your son ~
II can't bear to say so. but it does look