Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1886-03-24
If the newspaper filled by the London CO..

| Wlbhiu du uOuT 5 uTlNo VI Odhdpp o h"ii
and in two days more Sir John Bosworth
was expected as a welcome additional to
the number of his loidship's guests.
Mabel made the first excuse that occurred
to her, and escaped from Cyril to the soli-
tude of her own room. 1t was high time
to consider what she had better do next
Decision of character is, generally speak
ing, plant of slow growth in the human
constitution. When the age is II, the sex
female, and the question: What am to do
next ?-perplexing circumstances wait for
an answer, and seldom get it. Mabel cou Id
not venture to consult her uncle-and if Mrs.
Corydon had an amiable weakness. it took
the form Of habitual reliance on other peo-
ple's advice. In this emergency, MabePs
temper escaped from control; aud CyriPs
position in the estimation of his charming
friend receded, without any reason for
that deplorable event which it was possi-
BILE to discover. Ignorant of the ways of
women-in love, with the ready inflam
inability of yonng man who has led an in
nocent life-Cyril was foolish ex.c.sh to
ask if he had offended Mabel. lie made
the mistake with tie utmost humility of
manner and language--and was received
with toss Of the head, and a reply which
expressed surprise that a member of an
English university should prove to be an
ill-bred man.
Three days passed. Sir John Bosworth
Gf the newspe DER could be trusted) was
already established as a guest at the
country seat of his noble friend. In sheer
despair of recovering the ground that he
had lost by any effort of his own, Cyril
decided on asking the advice of the one
competent and trustworthy person within
his reach.
Sir John was in the house; Sir John
hurried into the room in which Cyril was
waiting for him, and shook hands with
cordial squeeze.
"Sir John," said Cryil, 81 wish to con-
suit you on an important matter. Can we
speak here, without interruption ?"
''Of course we can. Sit down my good
fellow-take a cigar-and out with it n'
Cyril told his melancholy story. "She
treats me cruelty" he said, by way of con-
clusion. .'And assure you, on my word
of honor, l haven't deserved it."
"Exactly my case," he remarked coolly.
81 am devoted to the loveliest girl III the
world, and she treats me cruelty
Would you believe it ?-she has left Lon
don to avoid me, and don't know where
to find her. Do as do; take it easy"
''I'm too fond of her, Sir John, to take
it easyn ''Oh, if you come to that, I'm
broken-hearted. At the same time, don't
i disguise from myself that we are both
rowing in the same boat. You're the
favorite plaything of one coquette; and I'm
the favorite plaything of another. There
it is in a nutshell. "
This off-hand way of speaking of the be-
loved object shocked Cyril. "You may be
right about your lady," he answered. '.Ex-
cuse me for saying that you are wrong
about mine"
Sir John laughed. 81 was innocent once
as you are," he said. "Let's get at tie
facts first Mine is quite young one. Is
yours quite young one too?"
SIN the first lovely bloom of youth -
"You curious boy Your Imagination
is misleading you--and you don't know it.
All girls are alike"
Cyril Indignantly struck his fist on the
table, "There isn't another girl in the
world like my Mabel -
Sir John suddenly became serious.
"Mabel p he repeated. 'There's some
thing in that name that sounds familiar to
me. Not the niece of Maj. Evergreen,
surely ?''
"Yes," cried Cyril, ''the same. How
stupid of me not to have thought Of it be-
fore She has met you in society; and she
is naturally interested in celebrated man
like yourself You would have some in
fuence over her. Oh, Sir John, if you
would only see Mabel, and say a word to
her in my interests, how truly obliged to
you should be -
The impenetrable face of the man of the
world expressed nothing but perfect readi-
ness to make himself useful. Far more ex-
perienced eyes than Cyril's would have dis
covered nothing in Sir John Bosworth's S
manner even remotely suggesting that the
two lovers had been, all this time, talking
of the same lady.
'With pleasure !'' cried Sir John. 'But
where shall we find her ?''
Cyril seized his hand. ''You good
friend p he exclaimed, with tears in his
eyes. ''She's staying with my mother at
our house-only short ride from this
place."
The two gentlemen discovered Mabel
walking up and down the garden terrace in
front Of Oakapple hall, reading a book
Good girl It las volume of her uncle's
poetry. Cyril remained inside, while Sir
John advanced toward Miss Mabel.
In the present state of her inclnations,
she was disposed, as an accomplished
firt, to begin by trifling with him. He
saw her intention in the bright malice of
her eyes. and put an obstacle in her way.
Taking the book off her lap he assumed to
be interested in her reading. Sir John
saluted politely while Miss Mabel expressed
surprise.
''Are you tired of poetry, Miss Mabel?"
ssNever tired of it, Sir John"
'You read great deal of poetry
sI believe | have read all the English
poets"
'Including the major. Do you find him
equal to otbers?"
"My uncle reminds me of the others
always pleasantly"
Sir John opened the book, at the part of
it in which mark had been left, and read
the title of the poem, ''The Rival Ministries;
Contest in Verse"
els it very interesting" he asked.
His tone irritated Mabel. SIT is perfectly
charming,'' she nswered-"and reminds
me of Walter Scott. Two minstrels are in
love with the same fair lady; she challenges
them to an exhibition of their art; they are
each to address her in verse; and she offers
her hand to the poet whose lines she most
admires. All, what position women oc-
cupied in those days!'
''You would liked to have been that fair
lady, suppose
~ should, indeed Especially" she
added with saucy smile, ''if you were a
Minstrel
''I never wrote anything in my life-ex-
cept letters. A proprietor of newspaper,
Miss Mabel, leaves prose and verse to his
editor and his contributors. Are you look
ing for anything?'
II am looking for Mr.. Corydon. Where
is he?' Mabel asked, with an appearance
of the deepest interest.
Sir John determined to stop the coming
filtration in another way.
"Staying in the house, he answered grave
ly, by my advice
sAnd why does he want your advice?"
"Because he is under my protection. l
feel the truest regard for him, and the sim
cerest sympathy with him in his present
trying situation
Sir John knew his young lady well. His
object was to puzzle her by presenting him
self in an angry and jealous character en-
tirely now to her experience-to keep her
fighty mind by this means employed in
trying to understand him, when he was
obliged to leave her-to return the next
day, and, by means of humble excuses and
ardent entreaties for reconciliation, to place
Il nd H1aI;txr in, a