Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1892-11-18

WuO was ptdC4So'1 "~S
borrowed dishes; her father was return
ing chairs to the neighborS In the bach
of the old blue cutter (there was early
snow this year,; the "helP" was dispos-
ing Of cake-crumbs and cofee-grounds
There was nobody left to talk it over
but Aunt Susan Briggs, spinster, tall
and thin, with short-sighted eyes be-
hind glasses aud corkscrew curls, anc
Augelina's cousin, Fannie Morgan, from
Peltonville-petite and plump, with
bright, dark eyes and wavy blonde hair.
The wiutry sun fell through the window
on its soft yellowness. 1t had been a
morning wedding.
"Ah, well!" Aunt Susan sighed (Aun'
Susan was sentimentaD. "To me it is
sad, the suatching of the tender buds OF
womauhood by the rough, the needless
hands of men" 1,,
"Yesl" said Fanny, vaguely.
It crossed her mind that Augeline had
not been snatchel, exactly, inasmuch as
Mr.. RYDER had been attentive for some
six months, and that Angeline was not
exactly bud.
But the bud she held in her hand was
uppermost in her thoughts. That hand
some Mr.. Fenton had had it in his but
tonhole. but he had given it to her.
What pretty thing had he said about her
cheeks rivaling itl
He had been anxious about the length
of her visit at Uncle Briggs's, too, and
rcioiced that it was indefinite.
Couldn't she be persuaded to stay over
the nineteenthl There was going to be
a club dance then. Oh, she must stay
for it
"Did you notice Mark FentOn" Aunt
Susan demanded, with a suddenness
which made Fanny start, pink to her
Auffy hair.
Notice him. She was conscious that
she hadn't done much but notice him.
She was guiltily aware Of It.
"Ye.es. He's nice looking" she
faltered.
"He has a heart history, poor younl
mani" said Aunt Sussn, in tones Of com
passion. "How we'll l remember th
palnful circumstances He was desper
ately in love with your CoIsin Angelina
at one period. His entire happines
seemed bound up in her. He fsirl
haunted the house; his attentions wer
continuous and untiring; he was hope
lessly infatuated But Augeline wa
firm; even at that time l think her maidel
heart was turoing toward Mr.. Ryder
She dismissed Mr. Fenton, kindly bu
finally. The poor young mans heart wa
crushed. 1t was more than he coul
bear even to remain where he must Sc
her. meet her, and he went to the ia
west, and has only recently returned.
have heard that time has in some degre
healed his wound; l have even heard
report Of his possible marriage. But
cannot believe that his early love is for
gotten. He witnessed the marriage 0
his old love with seeming calmness, bu
his inward suderings we're undoubtedly
severe. My true sympathies are wit
him."
Mrs. Briggs was in the doorway, he
hands under the gingham apron whic'
covered her black silk.
"I plum forgot to send some OF tn
cake up to old Mis- Beebe, she declare
.I promised her Id send some By Eizs
Your uncle's Just made his last trip VIII
the cutter, Fanny, and he's clean tuck
cred out. You just slip on your thing
and drive up to Mis- Beebe's and tax
that cake, won't you1 She'll be set o
it. It's right down by the old tsnuery
the Beebes'."
Fanny went II she looked rsthC
flushed and dazed as she went up stairs
change her pink cashmere for brow
flannel, and if there was faint trace
tears about her pretty eyes when she cam
down, nobody saw IT. certainly not Au Z
Susan, who was gazing peaslvely at tn
spot where Mr.. Ryder had promised t
take Angeline for better or worse.
Aunt Briggs gave her the cake. all th
four kinds in a paper box, and Uncl
Briggs tucked her into the blue cutter
: and she jingled down tho snowy road
The sun shoue dazzlingly on its Whit