Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1888-06-22
FURNISHING A FLIRT.
BY BRUCE BARNARD.

The glaring hot summers sun
beaming down with its brassy glare
had compelled the city's residents
to seek recreation in their favorite
summer retreats.
Long Branch, the favOrite of
many, was not forgotten In the rush.
There was to be found all class
es, from the penniless bank clerk
to the wealthy society young man,
and from the young schoolgirl,
anxious for her first conquest, 10
the heartless flirt who cared for
naught but crushing the hearts of
men. Among this latter class was
numbered Clara Marston.
Tall, queenly, and Of exquisite
carriage, her admirers we're num-
bered by the score. Where was
the man who could look into the
secret depth Of those liquid eyes
and not feel the attraction of their
glancei Heartless they called her,
perhaps rightly too, because, like
child with new toy, she led men
on until they failed to amuse her
longer, then cast them aside, nor
thought of them after.
Her last conquest, young Geot-
frey GOrden, had lett the beach dis
consolate and broken.hearted, his
heart crushed beneath the naughty
tread of the heartleSs siren.
The guests were lounging about
the cool piazza of the hotel when
Give Wexford, the new arrival,
came saunterng leisurely up the
beach.
Although conscious that he was
the cynesure Of all eyes, the young
man was calmly selt-possessed,
needing not their attention by so
much as a glance.
Clara MarstOn was carefully scru.
tinizing him, perhaps with the
thought in her mind that here was
the opportunity for new conquest.
AS Give Wexford came up he
cast one glance in the direction OF
the gay crowd before him.
Involuntarily the blood rose to
Clara MarstOn's face. She felt that
that glance, momentary as it was,
had been directed toward her, and
there was something in those hand.
some, dark eyes that attracted her,
though she could not tell what it
was nor why.
In the days that followed the
two we're much together.
They drove along the shady
road or strolled along the pebbly
beach apparently caring for naught
but each others company.
The other guests shook their
heads and cast glances full of mean.
ing toward him.
He will be but another victim to
swell the list of her cast.Off lovers.
So soliloquized the knowing ones,
who watched the progress of Clive's
courtship.
Pity was rife in the breasts OF
anxious mammas, VINO considered
that it would be far better for the
young stranger to spend his time
in company with their daughters
than with the "Flirt," as they call
ed Clara.
So days passed 10y and weeks
rolled away to return no more.
1t was a lovely summer night
the bright. full moon was lust ris
ing above the horizon in the east
and the ripping waves we're wash
ing against the sands of the beach
Give aud Clara we're walking
along the shore enjoying togetheI
the attractions of the evening
Walking thus memory recalled Il
Clara's mind the night not lont
when, walking thus, Geofire,
Gorden had declared his passion
for her.
Was it fatef AS they came II
the spot where she and GeOffre.
had stood, Give suddenly stopped
"Clara," he began slowly, 81 hav
something to say to yOu, a question
to ask. Several times / have bee
on the eve of speaking, but eac'
time something has occurred T.
stop me.r
Here Give stopped for a lnt
ment, as if unable to say more, bu
> as Clara looked up expectantly b
went on speaking.
"The question 1 would ask yo'
Clara" he said, taking her unr
sistlng hand in his, sis one that
not a new one to you. For me
say that | worship you would be
T you an ott-repeated tale. Yet it
y A