Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1886-03-03
FATE AS FORETOLD.

FATE AS FORETOLD
Two young girls were walking arm m-in-aru
along a winding country road at the close O
a mild October afternoon. Fair as lii
and sweet as cherry were the epithet
that would have best described their re
spective charms. The taller, whose nam
was Alice Vincent, was blonde. with
smooth, white skin that blended the exquis
ite tints of the blush rose and cream.lil,
deep blue, dreamy eyes, and golden hal
that revealed r ther than concealed with it,
classic coils the contour of her shapely head
which was bare to the kisses of the lat,
sunbeams that yet fingered like lettering
schnolboys along the way
Tue old bouse, hidden in a growth O
morning glories, a few yards behind her a.
the bend in the road, was her home, whence
she had sauntered with her friend, who hac
taken tea with her and was now returning
to The village where she lived.
Many a bashful youth secretly sighed fol
the privilege of the sunheams to kiss sweet
Alice's rounded cheek or FURNISHED tresses
but not one of them dared to summon cour
age to approach in any lover. like fashion
this graceful and beautiful creature, VIII,
w.,
made of purer clar. The maiden at hel
side was neither blonde nor brunette, bu,
that charming mixture of both that pro
duces soft blue eyes, and hair
In gloss and hue the chestnut. when the shell
Divides threefold, to show the fruit within.
| If the rural heaux were shy of Alice Vim
cent, they were no5 all timid of Elizabeth
Adams, whose sunny face and sweet smile
had made every unmarried man and slen
der STRIPPING for miles. around her bond
slaves in the golden fstters of love.
Cupid attended her at all places and at
all seasons, and sent an arrow in5o some
rustic heart with every glance of her love
| lit eyes. She smiled on all and favored all
alike, and though every man she smiled on
would have willingly laid down his life for
her yet not one among them could take to
himself the coveted honor, and say, 81 am
her favored suito1 :"
Like the great Elizabeth of old, she still
walked in ''maiden meditation, fancy free, {"
and smiled on all because she cared for
none.
81 will not go any farther with you now" !"
said Alice, as they reached curve in the
road that hid her home from sight.
''Don't forget to meet me at the old mill
X,
our fortunes told," said Elizabeth, as she
kissed her friend goodbye.
Aud Alice retraced her steps under the
soughing branches, holding her pink flower
ed skirt dain,ily out of the dust and won-
dering, girl-like, what her fortune would be.
Iu twenty -four hours the autumn weather
changed from the mild atmosphere, in
which the breath of Summer yet fingered,
to the bleak wind and chilling air of ap-
proaching Winer.
The arms Of the old mill went round
swiftly against a thickly -clouded sky, and
the dark woods that cfept almost up to it
shook and shivered aud sighed mysteriously
III the gloomy dusk, as Alice. enveloped ID
a long cloak and ample hood, that hid her
golden hair, waited for her friend, fearfully
eyelng the black shadows among the trees
in the meantime, and starring nervously at
the groaning of the branches, or the rust
ling of the wind over the withered grass
and fallen leaves.
The snappiug of dry twigs under foot an
nounced the approach Of Elizabeth, who
was likewise cloaked and hooded from the
chill evening air and the rain the laden
clouds might bring.
The house OF the wise woman who was
wont to tell the fortunes of all The maid ems
for miles around stood little over mile
from the aid windw;u and nn tha eJ.L ~
a stagnanJ pond, where frogs splashtd in
and out Of the green water and oroaked all
night on the muddy bank.
wood which saint ont ,dy.n...-orIrd'.' ,'f
hsaches that dr,oned tbe,r I,ng ~.
o,, the mnssv roof and creaked dismaI,y ,n
aud fro over the SHINGLES on stormv n;aj,ts g
few Yards awsv fron, the dr. $50
ia ~ go ~ 81. l,,o,, 49,. 80 -.
l,mhs of ;shich alean,d abasrl,, throneI I
.ha ,r..tnor;n,, q-,,s',,o .,ro;,'s1 ~ ,os :.
hasvs.r and in ,,,e hoIInv tr,,ni. ae ,,,;as
:, onar.,hIo orI md m.de hue bon,a g..
% soo nonio ioi