Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1884-09-02
A YOUNG SCHEMER.

eyes, am sure that would be the best
plan," mused Jean Scott aloud, clasping her
hands around her knees, and looking up
through the trees at little patch of clear
sky shining down between the leaves. 'sMr.
Stuart is rich and handsome" here she sigh
ed without any known reason. "Ph@be
ought to marry him-she must do it-and
let that stupid John Barnard go, am sure
positively sure Victor Stuart would suit
her best, and will make the match.'
1t was Sunday afternoon, and Jean sat
out under big oak tree in the front yard
A book lay on the grass beside her, and a
little crippled chicken, rescued from the
horse lot, nestled in fold of her buff linen
gown.
She was supple slender girl, olive-skin-
ned, gray-eyed, and black-haired, and just
bordering on eighteen.
With the calm confidence of inexperience
and positive ignorance, she had made up her
mind to meddle in a very delicate matter
| namely, a love affair."
The SCOTS were country people, owned q
good farm, and lived comfortably, and John
Barnard, neighboring farmer, had long
long loved Phoebe, the eldest daughter of
the house, and very pretty girl OF twenty
| Tho matter had not disturbed Jean until
two things occurred. Her father suffered
some reverses of fortune, and Victor came
up from New Orleans
She felt peculiarly grateful to him, for he
| was not only young, handsome, and rich,
| blt he had also saved her life on certain
| occasion, when she had been more reckless
than wise, in running horse race with her
brother.
| Her pony took it into his head to run
away, and Miss jeans white neck might
have been broken, had it not been for the
timely appearance of Mr.. Stuart, who threw
himself in front of the unruly horse, and
checked him.
That encounter led to closer aequaint-
ance with the family, and the young man
had called several times.
He rode up to the gate, and dismounted,
while Jean sat on the grass and meditated
her plan.
The color leaped to her cheeks at sight OF
him, and thrill shot through her heart
How happy any woman might be to win his
love-he looked so brave and handsome.
| Now she had always been little shy be-
| fore him, but to-day she rose to meet him
with smile, and slim hand extended.
The gentleman responded warmly to her
friendly greeting.
"You take compassion on all afflicted
| creatures?" he remarked, glancing down at
the little downy chick which rested on the
grass, with its broken leg bound up with a
| bit of linen.
| Jean lifted it tenderly.
'sAh, yes Poor little weakling it's life
is but a frail thing, but precious to it no
doubt. I love not pain or suffering. But
pardon me, l will not keep you standing out
here"
cit is verv pleasant, L"
"But much pleasanter in the house." she
said hastily, confused by the way his eyes
dWelt upon her. s'GO in, Mr.. Stuart"
"Will you come also?'
ssWhen I have cared for this wounded
chick-yes, sir, perhaps. Phoebe is in the
parlor."
And when he had reluctantly departed,
she sat down again, and hid her face in her
hands, her heart beating quick and loud.
'Tis only his way-only his way, and
am foolish weak minded creature to allow
his pleasant words and kindly glances to
affect me-"
She had not long to sigh over her folly, or
scold herself for it.
Another young man had arrived on the
scene, and she must prepare to meet him.
He was an honest, good looking young
farmer, and from her childhood Jean had
known and liked him, but to-day she must
crush any presumptuous hopes he might
possibly entertain regarding Phoebe.
"Go0d evening, Jean.
She had picked up her book again, and
apparently much Interested in it, for all it
was wrong end up.
''Good evening, John,' in calmly pat
ronizing tone.
els Phoebe at home?''
s'Yes; she is in the parlor, entertaining
pany."
His face fell.
"Entertaining company
sEYes-Mr. Stuart"
ssHe here again ?" said poor John Barn
ard, faint spark of jealousy in his heart
gathering heat and strength.
eyes, certainly; but go in. Pa and ma
are in the stting-room. The boys are not
at home am sorry to say"
ooh no; I'll just go on back home.
suppose that fellow will stay all the after
noon."
"NIr. Stuart? Very probably he will.'
But hardly had Mr.. Barnard ridden de-
iectedly away, when Victor Stuart came
out again.
'Going so early p" said Jean, arching her
pretty dark brows in surprise.
eyes; have an engagement to dino III
town. But first give me rose
''Ah, one rose
One rose-but one, by those fair fingers cull'd,
Were worth hundred kisses pressed on lips
Less exquisite than thine"
He quoted, too low for her to catch the full
meaning of the words.
She hurriedly plucked a handful of half
blown creamy roses, and gave them to him.
But not another glance could he win from
her, though tell-tale color stole up her soft
throat into her checks, betraying confusion
and tumult of heart, and he rode gaily away,
half crushing the sweet roses against his
lips.
The sun had dropped much lower in the
west, and the yard was all in deep purpllsh
shade, when Phoebe came out where her
young sister reposed on the grass, her hands