Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1891-03-04

direct your attention elsewhere, for she il
engaged to a worthy young man of this
place." That day I left Huntsville, and no
adieus were spoken. So ended my little
Irritation"
"Well, Harry, you have given me quite
poetic recital, but you ought not to make
such an ado over mere firtation.' "Let
% 90 up the lake and back before sunset "
"Ten minutes later Harry Marsh saun-
tered along the shore of the lake, realizing
that be was not quite whole hearted.
A year had passed since Harry Marsh's
visit to the quiet little village Of Huntsville.
Many changes had taken place.
Viola Craig is an orphan-Slone in the
world-friendless What was she to do?
She fell into brief reverie.
She had an aunt, rich in this world 9
goods; she had written to her and received
q letter bidding her to come and make her
home with her. s'Break up the old home
and come and live with me-"
These we're the words she read.
"Break ND the old home! How romance
clipps around i'll" She stood by the window
and gazed up the country road, bordere d
on one side by dark pine woods, on the
other by irregular rolls of ofcultivated ground.
How dear the form of every tree! How Oft
had she walked there with the one she
loved; had he not cut his name and hers
upon those very trees; but he had gone
left without one word of parting. A Grim
son flush. deep, swift and nnmistakable,
swept over the girls fair and sensitive race.
"He did not care for me; he was merely
h;xceoyf ehof
Then a strange light flashed into her
eyes, and tw bright spots OF color came on
her cheek and she said determinedly, 81
will 90 to my aunt, and as her heiress try
to forget him"
Fond remembrance! Dear old home.
good-by!
A storm had suddenly arisen from the
southwest. 1t descended with torrent OF
rain, restless fury Of wind and crash OF
thunder.
Viola was sitting at the window. She
glanced ont upon the lake. She beheld it's
surface lashed into foam, and, horror
stricken, ahe beheld something else.
A boat, midway between the peninsula
and the shore nearest the hotel, had sud-
denly capsized under the fierce blast. For
an instant human being was visible amid
the foaming waters, but soon disappeared.
Viola descended to the veranda, her face
deadly white.
Several men dashed past, and upon the
wings of the storm she heard one of them
say: -,
"Hale and Marsh we're in the boat, and
there's little chance of our saving them. +"
For an instant she started toward the
lake, her heart sinking like lead. Then,
without even a shawl over white, gauzy
garmente, she dashed out into the pelting
storm, She reached the lake shore at a
point near where several men were pushing
off roWboat in vain hope of saving the
unfortunates.
She sank down amid the wet shrubbery,
clasping her hands, and in low, agonized
accents she murmured, as her eyes fell upon
the fearful sight before her; "Good Heav-
ems! Harry Marsh-dead-drow If
he but knew how loved him-how loved
him since he left me two years ago! Oh,
Godl If he could be savedl My heart is
breaking!" And burrying her face in her
hands she sobbed aloud.
Just then hand fell lightly upon her
shoulder. She started up with cry, and
there stood Harry Marsh, dripping wet,
with q look of deep, unutterable joy upon
his face.
"Thank God am saved-saved to hear
my name upon yonr lips. was not in the
boat Frank went out alone. l saw the
storm coming and advised him rot to 60.
But he went. followed along the shore to
the peninsula, and the storm broke before
I could get back" he explained
He spoke in rapid, excited manner. As
he finished Viola sank down in swoon,
Ix,k kIn ,tr hop q md
the sudden reaction. He lifted her in his
arms and bore her back to the hotel.
The boat which went out after the un-
fortunstes came back unsuccessful. After
the storm had passed, however, Frank Hale
and his sailboat rounded the peninsula and
moored opposite the hotel. In response to
flood of inquiries he replied that he was
upon the other side of the lake when the
storm broke, and 30 escaped it.
The boat which was capsized contained
a young fisherman, whose body was recov-
cred late that night.
1t was not until the next day that HArry
Marsh saw Viola again. Then they met
under the arched trellis. She would have
fled. but he caught her by the hand, ex-
claiming in his low, musical tones, which
she remembered so we'll;
'Stay, Viola; I Cesire an explanation
from you. l believe that made great
mistake when left you without seeking
one two years ago."
She waved him from her with an impe-
rious gesture.
"You should have discovered your mis-
take before was lifted from my poverty!'
she cried.
SWAT! wait! implore you"
Then he told her why he had gone away
so abruptly, and how he had loved her all
the while.
81 Ishould have sought you here upon your
arrival were it not for the rumor OF your
engagement to Edward Grey" he said.
any engagement! The rumor was false;
it is not 1, but my cousin. who married
Edward Grey two weeks ago. We are
friends that is ALL"
A soft, balmy breeze swept through the
trellis, rustling the vines and bringing from
distance the perfume of flowers
"Then you do love me, Viola! can keep
nv love from you:uo longer, Viola, Will
you be my wife? Do not Withhold the perfect
Joy Gravel" were the words he uttered,
so low that they seemed to chime with the
murmuring breeze.
sThe joy is ours, Harry!" was the softly
spoken response.
When Frank Hale heard of the engage
ment he laughingly said, "Hal, do you call
this all "a mere f1irtation?''-Mis +. Il.
Hare, in Cincinnati Commercial Gazette.
| THE WIFE OF THE GREAT SNOWMAN
In appearance she is a trifle under medium
height, with figure slightly Inclined to
matronly stoutness, which she carries with
an ereotness and poise gained from long
- os4 l0vfn