Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1893-04-28

zsFtssssSSS--:&,s its best that Keen.
est of stimulants- oxygen. 1t was
q day of the gods, fit to put new life into
the most depressing soul, and its invg-
Grating effects was plainly visible in the
bearing of carefully dressed, slightly
rotund gentleman OF middle size and
something less than middle age rs he
came around the corner OF the avenue
and walked briskly southwark. This
plump, well-groomcd gentleman was Mr..
Anthony Amory; his was not despair.
ing soul, however, in spite of the fact
that he was on his way to plcad-for the
last time rs he had rcsolvcd-what he
felt to be hopeless casc.
He rang the bell at the last house in
the block, aud was ushercd into the
library. AS he entered that rcmotcst and
most individualizcd of the more public
apartments of the Winchester house, he
wondered, as he had often wondered be-
fore, how it was that Eleanor Winchester
had impressed her personality so strong.
ly upon it that the room seemed alive
around her. To his mind, at least, even
such stolid things as the chairs, the rugs
aud the bookcases reflected something of
that alert, intense spirituality combined
with a dish OF chic which was her own
especial charm. Someone had said once
that Miss Winchester united New Eng
land soul and New York style, and to
his apprehension the same piquant com
biuation was carried out In her surround
Jugs.
There had been other days, plenty Of
chem, when he had also wondered how
it was that n girl of this type had at
tracted Anthony Amory; he had, in
deed, supposed that he was safely past
the sentimental stage of life. Those
days, however, were long over. Now,
that he had recovered from tho first
shock of surprise at finding that he was,
if anything, worse hit than he might
have been ten years earlier, it seemed rs
natural as the sunrise than he should
love her.
The present visit, although it was the
first time Mr.. Amory had seen Miss Win
chester since her return to town the
week before, was evidently not of the
nature of an ordinary call, and after the
first interchange of greetings neither of
them pretended to treat it rs such. She
was sitting near the window in an i'm.
menscly puffy and comfortable chair,
and when he had taken his scat opposite
her, where Ec had the best light on her
face, they surveyed each other in cx-
pectant silence for minute; then Mr..
Amory bent forward and picking up
carved paper-cutter from the table
scrutinized it attentivcly.
81 believe the time is up" he OBJ.
ecrvcd, Sin which you undertook to
formulate your objections to me. As
you were saying last June"
"Of all the foolish things said last
June that promise was the most fool
ish!"
because your objections arc so
oumerous?"
''No. Because the formulation of
them is so hard"
al do not feel disposed to let you off
the contract" said Mr.. Amory smoothly,
still examining the paper cutter.
Up to this point Miss Winchester had
been leaning back in tho big chair; now
she held her 1.-the figure erect, crossed
her hands in her lap and lifted her eyes
fearlessly. An adorable gravity settled
down upon her face.
''Pleasc notice that have not asked
you to-" she said. 81 have decided to
tell you all about it. You know never
have. The other times we have talked
about this we have not done it seriously
and calmly"
81 was serious enough" murmured
BIZ. Amory, but she ignored the inter-
ruption.
"You have been excited, and 1 All
afraid have not been just"
sit is not justice l want Mt your
hands," She waved this remark aside.
"That first" she said.
ECO on, then, and be Just"
Apparently the task she had set her
self was not an easy one.
81 dare soy | am going to make some
impossible remarks" she began uncer
tainly.
''Don't get nervous" said Amory
reassuringly, "nothjng that you say is
going to make any difference, 20,
know"
gu Loiu iDC ONCE, she SAID SLOWLY
casting about for her words, "that wa
consumed by the passion for perfection
and everybody admits that all the worl,
wants love-"
edo you know-don't you thinl
there exists in every human heart M in
appeasablc thirst for perfect love2"
~ am not here to gencralize about hu
manity. I only know what l mysel
have felt, and that have told you al.
seady."
Miss Winchester passed her han,
quickly across her forehead, as if t
brush away the little frown that he'd set
tlcd there.
"othcr people have sometimes told m
lhat they had found it," she went o
steadily. 81 may be unjust, but it ha
seemed to me, that usually they wer
very easily satisfied, and yet there hav
been somc of them have envied fror
che bottom of my heart. Is it my fau
chat have not been able to be satisfied
tool You know have been more G
css admired. but so fer it has AWAY