Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1891-11-20

the forest echoes and torches to see the
"babes in the woods" when found. The
party did not go far. They had not started
off with serious intent-only to pacify the
mother, and contented themselves by ex-
ploring the "brigands' cave" where some
were almost srnothered by the smoke OF
the torches, and came back singing In
chorus, almost forgetting why the torch
light procession had been organized. AS
the returning explorers neared the village,
the lights of their torches fell upon cou-
Pile sitting on the bench just inside the for
est gate.
"Hallop' exclaimed Leon, suddenly
changing the note of the solo he was sing
ing.
Halo, yourselfl' answered Renie, "you
are making great deal Of noise."
''But how did you get here9" asked Leon.
EASY enough-round the other way"
Leon began it, and we all burst into a
laughing chorus.
"What is the joke?' asked Renie.
"Joke Suppose you and Miss Kendle
fall into line with us and wewilI explain"
And the march continued, horns blow
ing, drums beating and all shouting at the
top of our voices, and SO the successful res
cuing party returned with the lost one.
1t was about Christmas when the Ken
dies gave grand dinner. Renie sat on
the left of Miss Helen and stranger, a
young man whose looks | scarcely remem-
Der, sat on her right. OF course Renie
monopolized Miss Kendle The young
stranger tried to join in the conversation,
but was not successful. cannot say Re
ME was rude to the man, for he did not
seem even to recognize his existence.
Don't you think it is outrageous?"
whispered Miss Tipman, my neighbor.
"What?" ! asked
Don't you know?-of course you do
everybody does except him"-
"Him?"
At that moment Mrs. Kendle gave the
signal for leaving the table, and my ques-
ton was left unanswered. We were al
lowed to smoke in the drawing room at
the Kendles, SO we followed the ladies'
Miss Tipman captured Renie and insisted
on his looking over the family photograph
album with her. He did it politely, but
his attention and eyes would wander across
the room where Miss Kendle was talking
with the stranger. But Miss Tipman kept
him at the album. What was she aboutY
wondered; surely not trying to fascinate
Renie; she must well know any attempts
of that kind would be wasted Besides,
Miss Tipman was not a firt; she was one
of those-yes, must say-uncomfortable
women to have about. One of those wom-
en- who are always trying to "do their
duty" What was she up to now? Talk
ing loud enough for any one near to hear,
so there was no indiscretion in my listen
ing.
"There, do you know her?"
"YaS - QpSwarod Rania turpipn %I,o
page, anxious to finish the book.
"And do you know himf"
"No." Again he would turn the page,
but Miss Tipman put her hand upon his.
but don't you recognize that picture?"
she insisted
well, yes; it is of the man who sat next
to Miss Kendle. l was introduced but
forget his name"
'But don't you know who he ISL"
No, and what is more'-
Don't you know he is engaged to Miss
Kendle?''
This time Renie turned the page without
any hindrance from his neighbor. He
closed the book, rose and laid it on the
table, turned and without word to any
one left the room. Miss Tipman and
looked at each other for a few moments in
silence. felt as if must say something
If she had been man should have told
him he was a first class fool. AS it was,
simply remarked, you've done It'll"
81 thought it was right" she answered,
COMPRISING her lips disagreeably.
Rene went home and had a brain fever,
and Miss Helen Kendle married the other
man. Why had not remembered all this
when my old friend asked about Madame,
who was Miss Kendle? What right had
now, after my brutal manner of announc-
ing Miss Kendle's death, to criticise Miss
Tipman?
Renie did not make me long visit, but
at the door again promised to find out ''if
it was really true.n
"She was a charming woman" he said
as we shook hands, and for the second time
repeated, "a charming womanl"
sand he has never married." asked
Pauline when closed the door.
"No"
"And was she handsome2"
hesitated, but why should not tell the
truth to Pauline? mo"
"And was the other as handsome as
monsieurp"
"Oh no, nothing like"
"But he was the richest?"
Eyes, suppose he was"
we'll knew Ren1e had only modest
patrimony, while ''the other" had houses
and lands and ga big business"
For awhile worked in silence. Pauline's
eyes were very bright, with a suspicion of
tears. knew her thoughts had wandered
from Renie to her soldier lad and the
bakers shop that was to be opened on his
return, where behind the counter Pauline
was to reign supreme.
At last Pauline's thoughts returned
again to Renie, for she said with an accent
of conviction in her voice: "How could she
have done it3 ! don't understand" thus
unconsciously echoing what all "the old
set" had exclaimed many years ago.
wrote to a friend as had promised
hnd received the reply expectea-"Mme
-, who was Miss Helen Kendle, died
several years ago" This note inclosed
to Renie, and he sends me card in &C
acknowledgement. On it was written.
Thanks, my friend, for your note am
sure those who die do not suffer the most"
And Renie Norman is an eminent pro
fessor of philosophy.-Henry Bacon in