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

CHAPTER I.
It w7ll simplify matters if say at once
fession you will be more inclined to believe
that my story is a true one, and, it may
be, condemn my conduct less. If your god
fathers and godmothers think fit to give
you strange name, they can scarcely ex-
pect you to be exactly the same as other
people; and the name some one chose to
christen me by is strange one. 'Herlt-
age" is certainly not in common use; al
though, when one gets accustomed to it.
1t sounds soft and rather pretty. especially
so when coupled with my surname.
Heritage Rivers" is not all bad.
am quite sure that in most instances
peoples natures accommodate themselves
to their names. Nearly all the Lucys |
have known have been fair and romantic;
nearly all the James and Susans homely
and fond of housekeeping. A girls career
seems often to be settled by her name. So,
having no precedent to show me what the
owner ct the name of Heritage should be
like, always plead it as an excuse for any
peculiarities of disposition. Nevertheless
l AIN not called upon to dissect my mental
qualities for the benefit of the inquisitive,
SO shall only say that one of my chief char
acteristics is that of being good hater.
like end respect good hater. No doubt,
it is unchristanlike; but it is so natural
l am not ashamed to say that if people in
Jura me, don't forget or forgive until 1
feel [ am about even with them. OF
course, if any one who had wronged me
asked forgiveness, should forgive freely
enough don't see how that can be
avoded-but I should never be eager to
do my enemy good turn unless fell
quite sure of heaping Goals of fire upon his
head !! Now you know what manner of
being am; and very dreadful the descrip-
ton looks as l write it; so dreadful that
am obliged to comfort myself by thinking
of the reverse of the picture-that cal.
be as true friend az an enemy.
It is not so many years ago that I,
Heritage Rivers, a slim girl of seventeen,
left school. and stepped out into the
grown-up world to meet what fate awaited
me. For the time, my only idea was to
enjoy my freedom. 1t was DELIGHTFUL to
think that masters and mistresses were
finished and done with for ever and day.
So [ babe them glad adieu, and went
down into the country to stay with an
aunt of mine, and for several weeks revel-
led in sunshine and liberty. Then, in ac-
cordancs with solemn promise, spent
some little time with an old school-friend
one like myself, just emancipated. Her
people lived at Twick enham, in delicious
old house.. with "a large garden. I was
made heartily welcome. The mother took
me to her heart, as her daughter g dearest
friend. The father, courtly gray-haired
man, with literary tastes and pursuits,
was kindness and politeness itself; while
Clara Ramsay's brothers were in an hour
nv devoted slaves and lovers. Surrounded
by such pleasant attentions. began to re-
alize the fact that was now grown-up
young lady. not altogether unattractive;
and so valued myself accordingly.
AS the Ramsays were quiet people. and
kept little company, an announcement
made by Mr.. Ramsay that a diDner-party
was projected was sufficient to flutter our
hearts. For several days before it took
place, We discussed again and again the
merits of the guests who were to be pres
emit. AS Clara knew them all except one.
her interest was centred on the probable
appearance of this gentleman. AS even
mamma Gid not know him, all informa-
tion respecting him must be extracted
from Mr.. Ramsay, whose friend he was
Girls being icquisltive creatures, Clara at
breakfast time, egged on by me, began her
inquiries.
Who is Mr.. Vincent Hope, papa ?"
"a friend of mine, my dear. a very
clever young man. who will one day,
think, be most distinguished member OF
society,""
So far as it went. this reply was salts
factory, but we wanted categorical tes-
timonial, not general one.
How will he distinguish himself?"
asked Clara.
HE is rising author-little known as
vet. but all that must come"
SO dear u sighed Clara, plaintivelys u
know exactly the sort of man. have seen
s, many of them here. Of course he wears
spectacles 2"
81 don't think he does-or if so, never
noticed them" replied Mr.. Ramsay.
You never notice anything you ought
to, papa. But he is sure to have horrid
beard unkempt and uncared for. They
all have"
"ue has no beard, fancy" answered
Mr.. Ramsay, meditatiyely.
ISIS be good-looking end niceP" demand