Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1894-08-22
BIG STAKES.

and spluttered In the old time fireplace
of Kenilworth inn. A group of gentle
men sat enjoying it's genial warmth,
while the fierce gale raging without
roared through vale and ravine, encir-
cled the mountain in its fury and rat
tied the panes of the dripping windows.
Every one who has visited the wilds OF
western North Carolina appreciates the
sublimity and grandeur of storm amid
the mountains Even in the dreamy
haze of Indian summer these grim old
sentinels are moody and solemn, but
when the clouds lower, the skies darken
and echoing peals of thunder reverber-
ate through the cavernous sides of in
Vulnerable peaks and headlands the eff
feet becomes awe inspiring to a degree.
Fragments of clouds are blown hither
and thither by the fury of the wind
rushing through tall forests of mighty
trees which bend and snap before its
resistless force like tender twigs.
The storm comes bowling along with
the deafening roar of charge Of myriad
artillery. Such was the equinoctial gale
which enveloped the mountains in its
fury. The immense oalzen timbers of
iKenilworth inn trembled and shook in
the grasp of the wind like the flutter of a
fugitive bird. Although it was early in
the afternoon, the darkness of the storm
was almost Egyptian in its intensity,
and the faces of the smokers around the
hospitable hearth were only lighted by
the glare of its glowing embers. It was
late in October, and but few guests re-
manned at the inn, they being party
of sportsmen on their return from a
hunting trip over to the valley Of the
French Broad.
The most conspicuous figure in this
little group Of well groomed but brawny
gentlemen, much tanned by their ex-
posure to the weather, was large and
portly man of middle age and distin-
guished mien. The doctor, for as such
was he addressed by his comrades, had
just removed his pipe from his lips and
was stroking his luxuriant auburn beard,
meantime gazing pensively in the fire,
as was his accustomed manner when he
thought. The doctor was quite racon-
teur, having travelled over the entire
globe. visited every known country un-
der the sun and Of course met with
many remarkable experiences. He had
just been called upon for one of his in
imitable yarns to while away the mo-
notony of the storm. His stories were
very Iudicrous and amusing generally,
but from the expression of his benevo-
lent face his friends saw that the COM
ing tale was of q more serious nature
than usual. The story teller relit his
pipe, and between long drawn puffs Of
aromatic Virginia began more in solilo-
guy than otherwise:
"Our presence here near the scene of
what am about to relate recalls to my
mind the memory of one whose sad life
has made deep impression upon me.
Poor Virginia Staunton! Her history is
a singular and a romantic one. 1t is a
repetition of the old, old story of wom-
ans confiding trust and mans villain
Gus perfdy. 1t could scarcely be termed
a love story, for there was little love
lost on either side Yet there was in the
place of love kind of fascination-the
diabolical enchantment and mysterious
charm exercised by the serpent over the
hypnotized bird.
"Well, I first knew the Stauntons-
that is, the mother and daughter-in
Philadelphia when was medical stu
dent at the University of Pennsylvania.
Mrs. Staunton was then a handsome
widow of some 40 years, most charm
ing woman. She had recently lost her
husband and was living a rather Sc
cluded life with her daughter Virginia,
who was at that time romping, frolic-
some creature in her teens.
''Mrs. Staunton had been a fond and
devoted wife, and in her bereavement
evinced all the richness and sweetness
of pure, good woman, along with a
softened mellow twilight sadness which
touched every heart and yet threw a
peculiar luster and beauty over her
manners and entire character. She had
the refined familiarity of the cultivated
woman without any undue boldness OH
the one hand or prudery on the other.
was very fond of her society and fire.
quently called at her home
''Virgie was winsome and hand
some girl, .ust budding into sweet
young womanhood, mischievous and
full of pranks, as all healthful girls
should be, yet withal manifesting much
of her mothers sweetness of temper and
amiability of disposition
''As you all know, after my gradua
tion l went abroad and did not return
for six years, and thus it was I lost
track of the Stauntons. A year or two
after my return, however, together with
party of friends, I visited Asheyille,
and what was my surprise to find myself
in the same hotelwith Mrs. Staunton and
daughter. l lost no time in making my
self known to my friend of former years
and met with a most cordial reception.
The gay and romping Virgie of my old
time remembrance had developed into q
remarkably handsome woman of digni-
fed MANNERS, but still retaining much
of tbs diablerie Of her younger days.
There was a merry twinkle in her bril-
liant dark eyes which ever challenged a
smile and response, and the rippling
peals of laughter bubbling up from her
glad and joyous heart spread a conta-
gion Of Inirth throughout the corridors
Of the hotel.
s'Miss Staunton of Philadelphia was
the furore in Asheville during the sum
mer of 49,. Beautiful, accomplished
and wealthy, she of course had many
beaux and admirers, notably one, a sol
ilisant French nobleman, the Vicomte
de Grenet Every sensible person is
aware of the madness prevailing among
American girls for titled foreigners,
particularly among heiresses, for the
| less fortunate maids dare not aspire sc
high.
"Mere beauty is a secondary consider
alton with these adventurers. For az
empty title these angelic creatures vii
barter their bodies and cast their pearls