Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1884-11-05

iOIhs uOb d SCIdp VI ldCO VI pau
OF velvet marred the beauty Of the COZ
tune; but in the folds of filmy tulle whic
crossed the bosom a cluster of eglantine II
ses was hidden. A single diamond, in
setting of antique silver, cleaned like
star amid the waves other abundant brow
hair, and in her hand she carried curiou
inlaid fan.
David WOolbury's sensation was one
positive delight. While returning strengt
had come new appreciation of the royalt
of health, and he reveled in this pictur
of perfect womanhood. He thought of hi
sister, who had mild enthusiasm for arr
and for its sake loved the beautiful in ma
ture, and wish she stood this moment a
bis side, and could feast her eyes on tn
scene before him; the lofty room, with it
rich appointments, not more costly thai
tasteful, the wea lth of tropical plants an
blossoms making the air heavy with per
fume, and in the foreground glitterin
constellation, with this superb figure for it
central sun.
''That is General Langdon and his daugh
Der Stella. ;" whispered his friend. eli
wife died three years ago, leaving tw
daughters, one a mere babe. They sa
Stella's devotion to her little sister is some
thing beautiful to behold. But come-le
me introduce you.''
The girl looked at him in calm scrutin
as he bowed before her. Il have met Mr.
Woodbury. before-in street car" sh
said, gravely.
An undercurrent of satire cut like two
edged sword. To have attempted expla
nation or excuse would have appeared iik
the consciousness of his guilt. Hi
thoughts turned back to their old channel
The elegant simplicity of her dress he re
garded as bid for notoriety. Her uncon
ventional manner received his mental con
demnation. Observing how neatly she par
ried all attempts at familiarity on the par
Of her admirers, he reflected that the WON
en- in whose society he had been bred hat
no need of parrying any such approaches
The air of icy reserve in which the,
envelop themselves was impregnable
During ensuing weeks he met he
frequently, but his original conception O
her character remained essentially un
changed. He told himself that she was
gay, brilliant girl, always cheerful and ami
mated; but dwelling altogether in thu
shadows of life, like many others of he
class.
shock and surprise. Tuning down Pa
cifc street, after an early stroll on Russian
hill, he encountered Stella Langdon goine
down town..ona,. forenoon shopping,campaigr
such as young and stylish women affect, ht
inwardly decided. He joined her, and the,
were soon launched upon an idle discussion
of plans for the coming season. AS the.
progressed down the hill they came to
quarter whose dingy riclety abodes pro
claim the poverty Of its denizens. Saun
tering carelessly along, Miss Langdon sud
denly bent over two children, rather NOR,
ragged and dirty than the average of the
street. Her face grew tender and pitifu
as she questioned the little people, and
after brief parley, bearing the viler @
the two urchins aloft in her arms, she dis
appeared down dark alley-way He
companion halted a moment irresolute
then realizi G that he was for the time com
pletely forgotten, with a compassionate
smile for the freaks of San Francisc
women, he continued his progress dow
town.
The little land and sea-locked port o
San Pedro is oddly situated. Where tn
stater had N ages past followed a crescen
from the cliff and then receded, years ago
little village was founded. Two mie
north, on the crest of the cliffs, the las
battle between the Mexicans and Unite,
States soldiers took place, and in ghoul
ish graveyard, far from any habitation re
pose the bones of the slain of one army
while out in the bay, on rocky eminence
called Dead Mans Island, the dead Of tn
defeated warriors found their sepulchel
One by one these graves have been rified G
their contents by the encroachment of th
restless waves, until only couple now re
main, with a snowy cross above to mari
their burial-place. Half a mile to the soutl
is another long, low STREET b of land, witt
shores of glittering white sand studde
with curious pebbles and strewn with she'll
to which little steamer plies daily, as wei
as to the distant mountainous islands, ris
ing like pale blue clouds far out upon th
ocean, where earth and sky appear t
meet.
The little modern town of San Pedr
nestles in the crescent shaped hollow facin!
the sea, with precipitous cliffs rising lik
steep walls in its rear, and embracing
north and south almost to the waters edge
The entire village lies SO low that tida
wave of modern dimensions could with On
mighty surge obliterate it from the face Q
the earth. But the quiet inhabitants dwel
ou in peaceful security, and many restles
city people find in the quaint spot, so shu
off from the every day world, the repos
and isolation which they annually seek a
salvation from the wear and tear of petit,
cares. And so it has come to pass tha
every summer finds the homely little cot
tage overfowing with city guests, and tn
low ground at the north angle of the cres
cent and fronting the sea is dotted with ga,
tents all the season.
Here it chanced that one day in August
when the waves were tapping the shor
with sleepy surge, Stella Langdon ant
David Woodbury. encountered each other
She was summing herself ON the sand, Will
her little sister built a mimic fortress b,
her side. A book lay untouched in th
girls lap, for the book Of nature spreat
out before her was infinitely more enchant
ing.
He reverted at once to the occasion whel
last they met, for struggling against tn
growing admiration be felt for this girl
with all the perversity of man, he had con
verted even that incident into an argumen
against her.
-''s Miss Lapgdon, pray enlighten me. 0
what philanthropical society are you a di
rector?'
''Of none, SIR" There was unmistaka
BILE surprise and inquiry in her voice. Blu
he went on in quizzical way:
"Then you are one Of the hard-workin,
members who do not accept offices, bu
preside over committees, and inaugural
fairs and carnivals-all for the purpose o
enticing from the pockets Of an unwillin!
public money for the support of establish
ments which are mere hot-beds for crimi
nails and paupers."
81 do not understand you, Sir" He
lips frightened and her eyes sparkled with
dangerous light.
'sBe honest. In the interest Of what re
formatory institution did you pursue tina
wretched little beggar we encountered OF
Pacific street month OF two ago?'
'Mr. Woodbury., did you notice the con
dition of that child? When took hold o
her emaciated arm it seemed as though i
would melt away in my grasp. Did yol
see the cruel blows the older child wa
raining upon her? And do yoH think
woman could pass by such sighr? l wis
you had seen that home as 1 did. Tw
miserable rooms for father, mother and sew
en- children. The woman was at the wash
tub, and when told her why had pickle
up the little mite, she burst out crying
telling her troubles in such discouragins
way that it made one heart ache. TIL