Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1884-07-11
BELIEVING HIM FALSE.

"This is delightful | don't believe |
could have found prettier place if | had
searched the world over"
l paused and looked with approving
eyes at the retreat I had chosen for the
summer. 1t was rambling, picturesque
house, standing quite distance from the
road, and half hidden by the thick foliage
of trees around it. There was gravel
path leading to the front entrance, on
either side of which were beds of flowers
| in full bloom; back in the distance I
! caught glimpses of green fields and or
chards laden with half ripe fruit. and a
| line of low blue hills bounding the horizon.
! I walked up the path and knocked a
the door, at FIRST moderately, then as no one
answered, more impatiently. But my sum-
mons brought no one. and after ten mi
nutes of impatient waiting, | stepped back
and viewed the house; the blinds were all
closed-there seemed to be no trace of
life about it. Yet 1 had sent word to
Mrs. Morris. the lady who had advertised,
saying she had ''homelike accommoda-
lions for one or two summer boarders,''
that was coming. What did she mean
by going away?
l gave another laundering rap at the
door, that met with no better success than
the preceding ones; then l was turning
away in disgust, wondering what could
do with myself, when the sound of sweet,
! full voice, singing, broke on my ear.
listened eagerly, the sound came from
the rear of the house. fastened in that
direction, delighted to find there was some
one at home after all.
A wide portico extended across the back
of the house, tangle of honeysuckle
vines growing over its columns and the
lattice work at each end.
Sitting in low chair just in front of
the open door was a young girl, the singer,
whose voice had uided me.
Such pretty girl The fresh blooming
faee made me think in voluntarily of a
wild rose. The sleeves Of her light calico
dress we're rolled up, showing pair Of
white dimpled arms and the pretty fingers
were stained red from the berries she was
picking.
could have stood for an indefinite
period admiring the picture she made and
listening to her song, but the loud bark
ing of dog that had been lying at her
feet blinking in the sunlight. made her
raise her eyes. I stepped up on the por-
tico as she looked at me and raised my
hat.
You must excuse me for intruding,' l
said. Il knocked at the front door for a
long time, and no one answered.; SO came
around here guided by your singing. am
the gentleman who engaged apartments
here for the summer-Brian Hathaway"
"Are you Mr.. Hathaway; Auntie did
not expect you until Tomorrow" she ex-
claimed. putting the dish of berries on a
little table beside her, and rising to her
feet.
Il wrote that was coming today" 1
: declared.
.sThen it was her mistake. She has
gone to spend the day with friend, but I
will do my best to make you comfortable
until her return"
smiled. secretly, very much pleased at
having to be entertained by such charm
ing little creature. Then she led the way
into the house and upstairs to large, and
airy room with three windows overlooking
the green fields and orchards, and mar
row river that looked like silver ribbon
stretching across the country.
Ny hostess left me. and going to my
trunks, that had arrived the day before, 1
proceeded to remove the traces of my hot,
dusty journey.
Occasionally, during the task, I could
hear the sound of feet crossing the hall
below. and snatches of song floated up to
me. smiled contentedly to myself,
After my toilet was completed 1 went
,wn stairs. A door ON one side of the
hall Was open and 1 enter cool shady
little parlor. The room was tenantless.
but after few moments of anxious wait
ing, light step sounded IN the hall, and
my little hostess entered.
She had changed the calico dress for a
white muslin, and washed the pink stains
from her fingers. and now she sat down in
chair near me, and talked to me in that
dainty, gracious way that sat so we'll upon
her.
In a little while we were the best OF
friends; she Played for me on the piaao
that sat in the corner, and sang to me
favorite songs in her clear. soprano voice.
was an author of some little fame, in
search of change, yet did not add one
line to my story that night when l went
to nv room-instead of writing extin-
guished the light and sat down at the open
, window to breathe the dewy, fragrant air
and think of May.
I was twenty-eight years old, and had
been the hero of half dozen flirtations,
none of which had made.the slightest i'm
preston on my heart. But now owned
to myself frankly that was really and
truly in love with this girl whom had
| only known for an afternoon. Her face
with its luminous gray eyes, wild rose
color, and the deep dimple that came into
! her left cheek whenever she was pleased
or amused, seemed to me the sweetest |
bad ever seen, and determined if it were
possible, would win her for my wife.
"Come, May, let us take walk; here is
your hat"
held up broad white hat, all lace and
plumes. and as May turned towards me l
put it on her head and insisted on tying
the bonnet-strings in bow under her
chin. She stood quite still during this
performance, the dimples appearing in her