Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1884-05-02

I Visible gem indefinitely.
81 don't believe there is any Leda,"
said despondently. She began to laugh,
and told the others.
because we have LETT her at home
alone ~ ing ared Psyche. "She doesn't
mild.'
"No; think you've been deceiving me-"
l complained, half seriously, bracing my
back against the end Of the mantel.
"How can I be certain that objects exist
which never appeared to me through any
of my senses, even On the evidence ofsuch
reliable people as you?'
THE testimony of one's senses cannot al
ways be relied on,'' chuckled their faith
or.
But 1 would like to give mine
chance" said /, pursuring the subject
with unconcealed stubborness.
"Ihen go over to the house and see
Leda," exclaimed Bess. "If you just
knock at the front door she won't come,
because size knows we're all out. But if
you go to the long side window and rap,
she III think it's one of the girls run back
back for something we've forgot. He
thinks there isn't any Leda I"giggled Bess
aside to Psyche.
It struck my fancy so that started at
the words.
"But won't she be frightened ?" 1
paused to inquire, holding my hat in both
hands, and feeling as keenly az any one
present the absurdity of the errand 1 was
undertaking.
Mot at all" said Mary Honor. looking
amused. "You won't see Leda."
l left the door saying that believed
her.
There was plenty of stars overhead, but
no moon.
The street lamps bloom in yellow ra
dance at irregular intervals, and up the
dusky sidewalk the fallen leaves crisped
under my fest. l had but few steps to
go, and l Travelled them impetuous}y,
opened the Carew gate. went to the long
side window and raped. There
was dog barking beyond The
woods which inclose Wabash College.
The September air was pleasant around
me, with just breath of leaf smoke in it,
and far down the street saw some little
portionate dimensions. The window at
which [ raped was curtained with white,
and lamp burned within. stood in
the dim shine which it spread upon the
ground, and watched for q face Or a shad-
oW. Not even q shadow rewarded me;
but heard some one move and tapped
again.
SIS that you, Mary Honor ?" inquired
then become voice.
told her who was, and she said "Oh!'
with little catch of the breath, which
heard distinctly.
Nothing has happened to father ?" she
asked; upon which 1 envied father, and
told her l was the only one to whom any
thing had happened.
"And what is the matter with you ?"
cried the voice of the invisible.
paused and thought of Romeo under
the balcony. and his sudden infatuation
seemed most natural of all the things
upon the earth.
''Are you Leda p"
"Of course [ am Leda pint erroga-
lively, as if she wondered what else l could
have to say.
1.-THE sound of your voice convinces me
that you are not one of the others slipped
back to mock me. What pity such
low, delicious voice should go about the
world in an invisible body2 l don't
want the rest of the girls and
the father. just come from them. If it
is possible l want TO see you. What can I
do to get sight of you? You seem every
where about me, you tantalizs me I'M
merciflilly, but can never see you"
There was silence within. She was
probably holding her breath with alarm at
my unusual conduct. While I knew my
actions must seem very erratlc to her, l
could not act differently.
"If you only saw me-" I pleaded, you
would understand"
II have seen you great many times"
said Leda. II am quite we'll acquainted
with you"
Now how cruel that is, to wrap your
self in clouds, aud put me at the mercy of
your lightning! How did you like my
looks 20
"Well, you are two brown for fair
praise" said Leda, as if the quotation
came aptly to her after searching fo1 the
truth.
did you get the papers 1 sent you
marked 2''
YES, and read them all by rnyself."
It gave me spasm of delight to think
we had slight secret between US.
"Thank you," l breathed.
II thought the rest of the girls would
laugh at them.,'
But you didn't laugh? How can you
amuse yourself at me when l am in such
dreadful earnest? have come miles to
see you, and all you have to do is draw
that curtain. The window is open. |
could push the curtain aside myself, but |
beg you to do it. Look how it trembes
in the wind, as if shaken with the breath
of cur destiny"
"Oh, ii tides 'icks!" said I.eda, allow
ing ii bubble Of laughter to come around
the window-frame to my waiting ear. She
WAS but few inches from me with the
wall between US.
81 love you," shot back, leaning my
cheek against the frame. And I shall
stay right here until you either show me
your face, or drive me away"
What sort of man are you ?" she ex-
claimed after pause.
"You ought to know. You have seen
ma