Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1891-09-18
A FALL AND a CALL.

Hupert Gedney was the sort of man
the fair sex call "beautiful, much to
the disgust OF his fellow-men.
1t was beautiful sunshiny morning.
The picturesque scenery of Montjoy
never looked more attractive, and Ged-
ney walked along admiring himself in
the brook that flowed on beside him.
Perhaps it was ovcr-anxiety to get look
at bimself-his mind was so intent upon
the impression he was to create on a GER
tain young lady that morning-that led
him to take that mis-step. What matter
now what caused him to trip. He fell,
and great was the fall From the glory
OF an immaculate, elaborate attire to
pigs level. For trying to recover his
balance made him wallow in the mire.
The mud, that his sudden weight made
fv, seemed to aim at nothing but him.
Lo, what Transformation was here!
lie tired TO gain his feet, when, horror OF
horrors! girlsh laugh rang out upon
the air. One OF the fair sex to catch
him in such plight What under
Heaven was he to dol he thought as he
turned slowly around and encountered a
plump, rosy young maiden, in plain
figured muslin dress, and her pretty
fresh facial confusion nOw-hidden
away in the depths of her broad
brimmed hat, which was pulled down at
the sides and tied under the chin.
~ beg your pardon, sir" said the
girl, retreating a few steps when Ged-
hey turned his face toward her. SIN
deed | would not have laughed If l
thought you were a stranger. L have
been trying to overtake you for the last
five minutes. / took you Tor an old
friend, and one can laugh at an old
friends mishap sometimes, you know,
without giving offense."
"Thank Heaven it's only plain lit
lie country girI," thought Gedney,
partly recovering himself while the girl
was speaking.
81 suppose l am a spectacle that would
make any one laugh" he said, looking
at himself instead of the girl. IL would
surely cut Harry Milbsnk out il Miss
Mountjoy saw me now." This last SEN
teece brought look Of surprise 70 the
rosy face beneath the broad brlm; Out
the look escaped Gedney, so taken was
he with himself. al can't 90 to Colo
mel Mountjoy's looking like this mats
certain. What am to dol"
Apparently this sudden appeal was
made to the young girl, for he looked
straight at her, his eyes this time pene-
trating the wondrous depths OF her nat
She was examining him critically now'
with eyes brimming over with merri-
mcnt.
"You might wash your face In the
brook there" she suggested, cooiiy' Il
think it would improve your appearance
Then, unless you are in hurry to pro-
ceei on your way, ten or fifteen minutes
standing in this sun here will dry tna'
mud 50 that it may brush of nicely
"Thanks for your advice, said eed-
ney; and. as she bent to dip her hand
kerchief in the brook, he thought: "She 8
decidedly pretty; and such eyes' lang
my luck, to be caught by this bu1om lass
in such trim"
81 must 60 back to the village ho.e''
he said; "not for worlds would | have
Miss Mountjoy see me in this state
Miss Mouusjoyl" cried the girl ra's-
ing her hands and looking horriiied.
.Siiss Mountioy would faint-would die
IN the spot, / think, if she were to see
sou now" =,
"Ah, you know Miss MountjOy' " said
cedDsv eagerly. "TelI me something
.bout her. Is she handsoraef"
"Handsomew and the girls eyes
.winkled. "Horrid creature-ou' per
haps YOU know Miss MountjOy' and arc
only asking questions to make me talk
You CITY chaps-I know you're from the
ri,y-are up to all sorts Of nonsense she
said, archly. j,
NV love this little country girl