Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1884-01-04

/ old story she turned out to be as loveless
as she was lovely, and so he took to the
! tigers. He had got over it all now, but
be shuddered as he remembered the fret OF
it all. and thought how near madness he
had been driven when he heard of her Ill
innate fate, and where her life had drift
ed to- So there were Ophelias here More
like Audreys, he thought, as he watched
some rather uncouth gambolling in cor
ner His eyes wandered round the room,
and rested at last on face.
1t was an exquisite oval face, somewhat
sad and wistful in expression, of that rare
delicate olive color one sees in the South,
with the skin of so fine texture that the
red flush springs up through the VEIN
tracery at moments excitement; the
large brown eyes we're soft and dreamy,
the chiselled mouth was half-parted. and
the dark-bro hair, looking black as
night, was worn Greek fashion close to the
head, sweeping in uDdulating lines past
the tiny rose-tipped ears. She was seated
on low sofa. carelessly clasping one knee
with both hands. She wore a simple white
frock, Just mysteriously frilled round the
little white column of a throat, and a
great tlack-red rose nestled in her breast.
One little high arched foot, in peach
colored Melted silk, kept swinging to the
music. No one seemed to talk to her ex-
cept the Doctor, who smiled pleasantly as
he passed and said something to which
she answered with nod.
"Ophella at lsst," said Grayton to him
self; and in melancholy vein be wished he
watch the play.
"'Poor Ophella divided from herself
and hel fair jude ment = 4" THE quotation
was irresistible). II wonder what sent
her here-some brute of man. or SOL
der lover killed at Kassassin. Gracious!
I hope this terrible Meg Merrilies is not
going to ask me to dance - and he moved
away. as he saw wildeyed woman bear
ing down upon him, to seat somew hat
nearer the pale girl with the black-red
rose.
For time he watched her, then he tried
to magnetic her. At last their eyes met:
he stared her full in the face. She never
shrank from his look, only sort of pity
ing light seemed to glow in the sorrowful
eyes. A moment passed, and then she
rose quietly and with perfect self-possess-
ed grace walked over to bim-to his in
tense astonishmenJ, sat down quietly by
his side. and said in a soft musical voice:
You seem sad tonight: 1 am sorry"
For moment he was tongue. tied, then
he recollected his instructions and pulled
himself together.
"Well, l think l was sad because you
were looking sad.''
"Was l.? / suppose always do. then.
Of course, being here naturally makes one
feel sad. But we won't talk of that, - she
ADDED quickly. do you care for dancingl
I'll dance with you, if you like"
Dance! with you 20
80 yes, if you like; many of the others
dance. you know"
How calmly she seems to recognize her
sad state p thought Grayton. as he stood
up and passed his arm round poor Ophe-
LA 3 slender waist, wondering how she
would zig and smble." They were play
ing the 'Dream facts, +" and as they swung
in undulating rhythm to the pretty song
he felt that few young slips of sane sew
enteen could come up to her.
:'That's right" said the Doctor encour-
agingly; "set good example" ''Means
Pm to be tonic. l suppose thought
Grayton so he carried off Ophelia for an
Ice
You dance beautifully, "she said. "No.
you sit down and I'll get you the ice;
there now, there's spoon and wafer;
now you feel comfortable, don't your
Isn't th t a lovely valse?"
~ es. IN fond Of Dream Faces the
people o he meets in dreams are generally
| vastly nicer than the real folk. have
many dream friends
"Have your" she said, looking amused;
'.tell me of them"
swell, you know, think I'm married
to DIRE m-wife-just like Gilbert's Prin-
cess Toto, you know, with her dream hus-
and scolds M II we done anything wrong
| in the day; aud sometlmrs she's very low
ing. and sometimes she 3 cross and doesn t
come near me for weeks"
He felt as if he was telling fairy tale
to child.
"How charming! Do tell me more Of
her. Is she beautiful? What is she
| likes"
| The fanciful conceit seemed to amuse
her, so he went on drawing pretty pic
lures of an ideal woman; then growing
unconsciously eloquent, he burst out,
| "Ah, if one could only meet her alive.
what wife she would make! A very
second self, aiding. sympathizing, help
ing loving-at once the cheeriest of
chums and the most idolized of idols.''
She bad flushed little as he spoke. but
she went on, what pretty picture!
Where did you get your beautiful
thoughts about marriage?"
II suppose my dream-girl taught me. :"
SIS she prettyq'
OTdyGou WOuueIeu ii uellD6fAGo DdT0-
faced compliment would be good tonic
for lunatic. Yes, beautiful. She has
large brown eyes. wonderful hair, low
voice, an olive oval face, she dances SUI
perbly, and she wears black-red rose in
her white Dress"
Ophelia looked little frightened.
"Forgive me, didn't mean to be rude,
but she is-really, you are not angry with
me 2" and he laid his hand gently on hers.
20 no;' then there was pause. Come,
and let me show you some pictures; I'm
something of au artist myself" and she
led him into a long gallery, ard talked art