Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1888-08-22
TOO HAsTY:
TAKEN IN BY APPEARANCES.

Lucy Denyse was the prettiest and rich
est girl in Glendell, and it was not without
a struggle that Ambrose Thorpe won her.
They had to postpone the wedding for some
time on account of the death of near re-
lative, and the lover, who was naturally OF
a Jealous nature, was irritated by the delay.
In fact he brooded SO much on the pos
sibility of some rejected sutton winning
Lucy during the interim that he actually
began to spy on her.
One evening as he was returning home
he heard her voice in the depth OF copse
by which he was passing. To his amaze
ment a mans voice mingled with hers.
$50 it is all arranged?" asked the strang-
"Quite," was the reply.
"You are the dearest girl in the world!'
enthusiastically.
81 hope / shall never have cause to regret
the STEP" was Lucy's answer. "Remem-
Der, in the same dress wear, with the veil
down.
ST understand"
seYou be here with the carriage"
"Never fear. Then HE for the parsons"
cried the deeper voice, gleefully, as the
two stepped out into the moonlight evident
ly bent on departing.
Instinctively Ambrose shrank f1om sight.
LUCY s COmpdulOu Wdo cbldbSOls Lis
face cleaned with happiness, while hers
was as placid as though no guile wan hid
den in her heart.
For more than an hour Ambrose Thorpe
stood rooted to the spot that had witnessed
his betrayal. On his sleepless pillow he
thought out plan of retribution. He
would pursue, unseen, the steps of the
guilty pair, confront them in the presence
of the minister, proclaim his wrongs and
forbid the upholy rite to proceed.
Ambrose Thorpe, before the appointed
hour, with a swift footed steeds lay in con-
cealment near the place of rendezvous.
1t was not long till carriage drove up,
from which alighted the man he had seen
on the previous evening. Then, from the
shadow, came out a female form. The
face was closely yelled, but the dress was
the same Lucy had worn the night before.
The two were soon seated in the carriage,
which was driven away rapidly.
Ambrose sprang into his saddle and kept
the fugitiyes in sight. They could not es-
cape him now. His hour of vengeance was
near!
But alas for human plans! Mr.. Thorpe
was but an Indifferent rider, and when his
horse SHE'D at shadow down he came
headloDg.
For a time he lay stunned and senseless;
and when at length belated neighbor
stumbled on him it was found that, in adj
dition to sundry bruises, he was suffering
from fractured arm.
Next day Ambrose sat GLOOMY and Pc
culiar," bolstered in his easy chair, wish
ing more or less sincerely that his neck,
instead of his arm, had been broken. No
one yet knew the occasion of the ride which
had brought on his mishap, and he deter
mined never to divulge it. He would pine
in secret.
A tap at the door was followed by Wis
itor-the very last person in the world
Ambrose was expecting. 1t was Lucy
Denyse who hustled in, her face full OF
sympathy and pity.
"Ambrose, dear" she exclaimed, "Pve
just heard it, I hope you're not badly
hurt
He sbrank back among his holsters.
Such assurance was astounding. She,
doubtless the wife of another now, coming
to gloat upon his misery!
Indignation at length enabled him tC
command words!
81 know allr' he croaked hoarsely.
''Night before last l was an unwilling listen.
eli to the details of your detestable scheme
of elopement with an unknown villain, and
last night | witnessed the execution of the
plot. And now you have hardihood to in
suit, by coming into his presence, the man
you have SO cruelty wronged"
At first Lucy was thunderstruck; but a:
Ambrose proceeded smile rippled hei
countenance, followed by one of her bright
silvery laughs.
''I've great mind to let you pout it out,
said Lucy. cit would only serve you right
if did, and I would, too, but for YOU
broken arm.
"Now, listen. and see what a ninny
you've made of yourself Cousin George
Mslton-you dor'5 know what dear, good
cousin he is-has long been III love with
Alice Lynn, whom a grabbed guardian OF
an uncle, who disapproved of the match,
has been keeping under lock and key Of
late. l was allowed to visit her occasion
ally, aud it was made up between her and
George and me that l should remain in her
place last night, while she came out, dis
guised in my clothes, and went off to be
married to George. Nov, do you under
stand, stupid?"
Ambrose put out his hand, the we'll one,
whish happened to be the left, the one
nearest his heart, he said. Lucy took it,
and before there was time for another jeal
GUS relapse they were safely married.