Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1884-01-25

- SN~~' AAy 90 ~ AO' Y uOs VII AAy wv Wv
count, began TO talk-of topics about
Which knew nothing-of places I had
never visited-of people had never seen
and of books had never read. He SEEM
ed amused at nay new departure; and, l
fattered myself. tried to lead me to talk.
So talk I did. and thought no evil. 1t was
not until had once or twice gone COM
pletely out Of my depth, right over head
and shoulders, and was compelled to
! founder back as best could, that fan
cied the wretched man was laughing at
me-not openly, of course; his manner was
politeness itself. Yet had an unpleasant
suspicion that more than once had made
myself an idiot in his eyes. positively
datest people who have the misfortune to
see me at a disadvantage, SO, when I rose
with the rest of the women and left the
table, felt that it would have been
great satisfaction to have given Mr.. Vim
cent Hopes broad shoulders a Parthian
stab with dessert fork had not been
a success; and, what was worse, knew it.
It was dull work in the drawing room.
The women were strangers to me, and
talked about their own and their friends
affairs. in none of which l had the slight
est interest. 1t was very hot, too. peep
ed out of the window. and saw the garden
looking most tempting in the light of a
would be if could have one walk round
| it.! I doubted whether it would be quite
right for young lady to walk about the
garden alone and by moonlight; but the
temptation was very great. After all,
| have always found it much easier, and
often pleasantsr, to yield to little tempta-
tions Of this kind than to resist them; so
soon gave in. Even at the risk of cold
or scolding, would have one; just one,
turn in the soft September night. slipped
from the room, covered my head and
shoulders with a shawl, and stole through
the library window which opened to the
ground.
The change from the close atmosphere
of Mr.. Ramsay's drawing was, as I
predicted it would be, simply delicious.
The clear sky, the full moon, and the
bright stars which had tempted me out,
| made me feel quite poetical. / forgot all
my little annoyapces in the beauty of the
night; ! became quite cheerful and happy.
The one turn round the garden, which I
had pledged myself not to exceed, grew to
a great many; yet was 10th to leave the
enchanting scene. But duty must not be
altogether neglected. With sigh, turn
ed for the last time, and began to retrace
my steps to the house. To my horror, as
I neared it, / saw the French easements
of the dining room open, saw the flood Of
brilliant light which poured out partially
eclpsed as one dark body after another
passed through the aperture. I realized
in moment the friehtful position in
which / was placed. The men were COM
ing out to get breath of fresh air, and to
| smoke cigarette before entering the
| drawing-room. What could do? was
certain to be seen. BY the light of the
wonderful moon, everything was as clearly
visible as by broad daylight. I shrank
| from the polite ridicule with which my
| nocturnal wanderings were sure to be
greeted; in truth, I wasnow rather asham-
ed of the freak which had led me into
such an awkward situation. I wished to
extricate myself without having to make
excuses and explanations; and. as shud-
dered at the thought VI walking boldly
! past the knot of gentlemen, was COM
PEELED to adopt the acknowledgements
ment.
On the lawn, near to me, grew one of
these conical trees-a species of laurel
he foliage of which touches the ground,
| and leaves the centre nearly hollow. This
particular tree was so large that it formed
a natural summer house; and to enable it
to fulfil Its mission. an entrance had been
cut through the boughs On the side furth-
est from the house. 1t was the very thing
"a perfect harbor of refuge! Careless of
insects, needless Of the twigs which
caught and tugged at my hair, but groan-
ing, nevertheless, as thought of my new
frock, rushed inside. unseen and, |
hoped, unheard, resolved to wait behind
the friendly boughs until the voices which
[ heard in tie distance died into silence.
Feeling quite sure that no one would be
likely to explore the leafy recess of my
hiding place. l began to grow easy in my
mind, and even ventured to compliment
myself upon the cleverness I had display
ed. My triumph was short-lived. In
few moments became aware that voices
we're drawing near to me-so alarmingly
near, that very soon | was able to recog-
nize them and distinguish what they were
saying. 1t was Mr.. Vincent Hope and
his host, who had strolled away from
their friends.
:'You have a fac specimen of the Port
uguese laurel here,' SAID the former.
Yes" replied Mt. Ramsay. "it's fine
tree of the kind. They seldom grow lar
ger. Indeed, this one is beginning to die
down. There is an entrance cut on the
other side; so it makes shady, but un-
comfortable, rm-Weather retreat.''
Then I knew that tn g two gentlemen
were coming round to the entrance. l was
in despair. covered down IN the dark
ness, and prayed that Mr.. Hopes curios-
ity might not induce him to pursue his
botanical researches into the interior. l
saw his head and shoulders fill up the en-
trance and hide the moonlight falling
there. For the moment was undecided
whether to Shrek with horror, to endeav
or to scare him away by growing like
wild beast, or to lie still and trust to
chance. On the whole, the last seemed the
wisest course to adopt. 1 breathed more
freely when found he had no intention
OF entering-the recess was not tempting
at night. hoped the two men would now