Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1890-09-24

81 am sorry" said Miss Weston. 81
thought you might give me few lessons
while am here; and then the pay would nc
doubt be help to you"
Miriam colored little for some reason,
and was about to speak, when she checked
herself; and after an apparent second
thought she said: 81 would be pleased to
teach you all that I know about it, and
would accept the pleasure as my compensa-
tion."
''How very kind" answered Miss Wes-
ton. II will really giveit serious thought.
| Mr.. Thortop, that must be q pretty view
from the hill where the road goes over the
high, steep bank of the creek by the tavern
that we passed coming here from the sta
tion. just csughs little glimpse of IT,"
"Yes, it is very fne," answered John.
"Miriam has painted a beautiful picture of
it. We call it Bloody Hill, because once a
frightened pair of horses, with large wag
onful of persons, ran away, and went down
there, killing man and three girls"
"Wby, how romantic" said Miss Wes-
ton. 'If it isn't too far wish you would
walk there with me, now"
Certainly" answered John. sIt is only
mile. Come, Miriam, go with u.s."
| sPerhaps it is too far, suggested Miss
| Weston.
"Realy, John, don't care to CO." an
swered Miriam.
school all day." said Miss Weston. s'But if
| it is only mile I don't mind that, if the
rest will excuse u.s."
| Miss Weston and John went to see Bloody
| Hill, while Miriam tried to entertain Mrs.
Weston. 1t was no easy task, as there ap-
peared to be but little sympathy of thought
between the two. After the sun set Miriam
became very weary, and wished that John
would return. She would now and then
glance up the road, hoping to see him, and
look of disappointment came to her face
each time.
The night air became little cool, and
Mrs. Harper suggested that they 60 into the
house.
The minutes seemed as hours to Miriam.
She wondered why John was away so long.
Certainly he would come back to her as soon
as he could it something unusual did not
detain him? And at last he did come, when
the clock struck 8. Nothing unusual had
detained him; at least, he didn't mention
any such thing.
When John and Miriam were on their way
home she asked: "John, what kept you
away so long?"
"Nothing," he answered.
She did not refer to the subject again, and
but little more was spoken by either of
them that night.
Miriam did not appear SO Gght-hearted
the next day. She went to her school as
! usual, and at night again returned along
the well-known road, along the edge of
Blood hill, and On toward Johns farm.
When she came in sight of the lane she
stopped. John was not there. She walked
on slowly, and passed the lane. John was
not in sight. She frequently looked back
and toward the Thornton home, but saw
nothing of John. 1t seemed very strange
to her, for there had not been day for
long time on which she had not seen John
on her return from school.
"Are you not well, MIriam?' asked her
mother.
II think am little tired, she answer
ed. She must have felt tired, TOR she did
not 60 ont of the house that night, and did
not read or paint. She went to her room
before the sun set.
She sat by the window with her head
resting on her hand. She was thinking.
Her thoughts were interrupted by the noise
OF horae's feet OF the road. She listened.
The horse was coming toward her. The
sound from his feet was music to her, for
she recognized the step, and knew it was
Prince, and Prince was Johns favorite
horse. The horse came nearer; he was in
front Of the house, and he passed on. Miri-
am glanced fron the window. John and
Miss Weston were in the buggy. She still
heard the patter of the boots on the hard
roadi the sound was discord to her.
| The next day and the next and week Of
| drys passed, and Miriam went to and re-
t.1ra abo<,1 II 4
but no one met her at the lane. In all that
time she saw nothing of John. The look
| of joy was not in her face.
Miss Weston did not call on Miriam, and
nothing was heard of the painting lessons.
| Where was John? Miss Weston knew.
| Prince knew. For Prince had taken John
and Miss Weston all about the county, ard
Prince had heard them talk, talk a great
many things that he did not understand.
"John's sort of neglecting things" said
old Mr.. Thornton.
| John dressed better than usual. He
shaved oftener, and was away from home
much more. Every night found him at the
| Harper home. He was heard to call Miss
Weston "Bele," and she spoke to him as
| s'John."
| Another week came, and the third. The
school continued as usual, and the faithful
teacher came and went along the road each
day. Her step was a little slower and her
cheeks little paler than three weeks be-
| fore.
Miss Weston was enjoying herself She
had said something about going home soon,
and John had become very Thoughtful. He
was debating seriously with himself. He
appeared to reach conclusion. 1t was
Wednesday noon when he reached it; and
from his actions he had evidently deter
mined to take step over which he had
heeitated. Early in the afternoon he care
fully dressed himself and went to the Har-
per home.
| MIS-. Harper and Mrs. Weston were on
/ the verarda.
sis Miss Belle at homer" asked John.
"No," said Mrs. Harper. ''She has just
taken the horse and gone to the station to
meet gentleman, who is eoraing here for
a few days"
tAer brothers' asked John.
| Mrs. Weston laughed aud said: "Not
quite, though he will be my son. Now,
you must not tell, Dir. Thornton, for Belle
don't want it talked about, but it is Mr..
Van der Veere, to whom she is engaged to
be married."
John fett a wave of faintness pass over
him. aud hsd to q column of the verarda
to keep from falling. After recovering
sufficiently he said: 'sYou may ta,l Miss
Weston that called 30 see if she wished to
ride to night but, as she has gone to the
station, that may give her a sufficient
ride"
John walked from the house with a sad
heart, SO vary, veiy sad. and his thoughts
were troubled beyond all ability that he
had to arrange them.
AT the same moment Miriam was walk
ing home along the old road. Her heart
was also sad, and her thoughts we're troub-
led. For moment her attention was at
tracted by a horrible, hissing portable en-
glue, that soma threshers were moving.
Then she went on as before. Then she
was in front of the tavern, beside the brink
of "Bioody hiil, she saw q carriage ap-
preaching her. She recognized tho horss
as belonging to Mr.. Harper. Miss Weston
was driving. Miriam bowed, but Miss
| HTopto,, did mt anpaar tO 500 har bo