Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1884-07-22
LAUREL WALES LOVER.


There were only few people at the Dol
phin House-it was late in the season. The
maple woods made q low line of deep red
against the autumn sky; the ladies, too,
muffled scarlet shawls over their white dress
es as they sat on the piazza of the house,
overlooking the SURF listening to the band
which still played jubilantly in the sunny
afternoons.
The heiress, Miss Vale, who had come
late, remained later. She liked the cold
breath which crisped the surf, turned the
naples red and made her horses dance over
the smooth floor of yellow sand which
stretched for miles along the bay.
Her faultlessly beautiful face, and the
more world-loving one of her aunt, daily
met the view of the loungers as her sleek
bays champed their silver bits down the
shore road.
She was more often seen abroad in her
carriage, but being an old traveller, she was
a good walker, and often came into tea with
dash of red in her smooth cheek, her brown
hair, damp with spray, curling closely about
her temple. She had been on foot 20 Grape
point or the shoals-favorite retreats-ac-
companied only by her great white hound,
Peri. Miss Vale was little peculiar, peo-
pie said.
Certainly she did as she pleased, with an
unobstrusive independence which hardly
need to have troubled any one.
She had gone out that day after the storm
to see the sea dash and roll in it's strength.
The sun shone brilliantly On it's dancing
white caps as they settled gradually into
calm.
She has sat long while on the rocks,
her great dog at her feet. She was a long
way from her hotel; but Juba waited down
the beach with her carriage, and her aunt
sat among the cushions and read.
There was no one but Peri to see how
beautiful Laurel Vale was as she sat against
the ragged black rocks, her dress of steel
gray kirtled from her slight feet, her grace
full shoulders and arms huddled in soft
crimson shawl.
The sunshine struck her perfect profile
under q black soft plumed hat, warming her
cheek, and bringing into relief the firm
dimpled chin; and those who had called her
cold would not have accused her thus then,
SO happy the smile of her red lips, SO warm
the light of her brown eyes.
She loved the ssa--thrived upon it's breath
delighted to be quite alone with it. So
she did not mind how the hours went,
though Aunt Pardon turned her hundredSh
page and yawned among the purple cush-
ions.
Come here, Sinbadr'
A mellow, masculine voice came from
among the rocks-too pleasant and manly a
voice to whiten Miss Vale's cheeks with
fear, certainly; but with one swift, silent
motion she rose to her feet, pale as if she
had seen ghost.
She glanced around. A little behind and
just below her stood 2 gentleman-a blue
eyed man with fair beard, great tawny
dog fawning at his feet.
He met her startled gaze with one equal
ly startled-then instinctively lifted his hat.
After an instant he came slowly up to the
rocks, almost reluctantly it seemed. He,
100, was pale now.
"Laurel, he said gently.
You might have understood ihen why
people called Miss Vale cold.
Her fair mobile countenance seemed to
Harden over her spirit like a mask. She had
but one thought-that after five years suf-
fering she had come to be happy, when here,
before her again, stood the destroyer of her
peace.
She made a swift involuntary gesture, as
if to keep him off A quick pathetic sadness
swept across his face as he saw it.
''And so you hate me?" he said, slowly.
She caught her breath. -,
81 do not know" she gasped.
The great tawny dog shifted at the hem of
her steel-gray dress, and then looked up in
her face, waging his tail. His master mo-
toned him away.
''No!' she'cried, bending over the hand
some creature. ''He used to love me'
Baron Alverton looked at her with his
blue eyes and groaned.
Laurel" /" he said, with fine appealing
gesture, 81 used to love you. Yet to-day
you would not touch me with your beauti-
ful hand as you touch that brute! And I
deserve it!''
She seemed to look at him then, for the
first time, though only for an instant. If
she saw how his face had changed in five
years and was stirred to pity she gave no
sign. She turned her head aside and SEEM
ed to watch the two dogs frolicking down
the beach.
mo excuse could be invented for me.''
ne Went on. You were one ofthe sweetest,
truesG women that ever breathed, and my
promised wife. Not shadow stood be.
tween us when Imet Nellie Dimpleton But
knew less of women than I do now. |
couid not measure you, appreciate you as I
nave done since. L was a fool to be won
irom you by pretty face, though that face
had set the artists crazy. All! we'll. Won do
not even care to listen to mep'
She had gathered up her gloves and para
sol to depart, but paused.
Laurel. ne continued Gin the old davs
you were never revengeful or vindictiye IF
you were both now, you might gloat over
the misery OF my married life. / am utter.
" wretched. Let this just decree repay Won
for my base desertion.' ~"
'Baron! where are you? ?" called a ouer,-
lous voice. 60 4Aoio-
A dumpy ilgure in blue had paused at the
loot OF the rocks, and pair of lack-luster
blue eyes now looked up at them. the owner
apparently not caring to ascend. 1t was a
blonde, faded, sickly face, fretfnl and care
worn, though Mrs. Alverton had evidentlv
once been very pretty.
Lifting his hat to Laurel, Baron Alverton
turned, went down the rocks and ioined
her. A few sharp words followed. which
Laurel overheard.
The following winter develops a STRANGE
surprise at Nutwood, Miss Vale's home.S
Her aunt, Mrs. Pardon Ardley. the most
Well-meaning of disagreeable persons chose
to engage herself in marriage to Mr.. AbeI
Crabtree, the sourest of bachelors and
baron par Alverton's uncle. Laurel was speech
less with surprise.
why do you marry him, Aunt Pardon9,'
sne asked at last. Are you not happy
"Because he is rich, answered Mrs, Par
oon, "and want home of my own. I've
no ooupt you mean well, Laurel, but don't
always approve of your ways
her nelce was silent, and the preparations
tor the wedding commenced If Aunt Par
don old not approve of Laurel, she had no
hesitation IN demanding her attention. her
carriage, her servants for this momentous
With great patience Miss Vale allowed