The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1894-08-23
BIG STAKES.

md spluttcrcd in the old time fireplace
+ Kenilwoph inn. \ group of gentle
men sat enjoying its genial warmth,
While the fierce gale raging without
'oared through vale and ravine, cncir-
lied the mountain in its fury and rat
led the pancs Of the dripping windows.
VERY ono who has visited the Wilds OF
western North Carolina appreciates the
ublimitv and grandeur Of storm amid
he mountains. Even in the dreamy
lazn of Indian summer these grim old
lentincls are moody and solemn hut
when the clouds lower, the skies darken
md echoing peals of thunder rcverbcr.
itc through the cavernous sides Of in
Vulnerable peaks and headlands the Of
Get becomes awe inspiring to degree.
Fragments of clouds are blown hither
md thithcr by the fury of the wind
ushing through tall forests of mighty
trees which bend and snap before Its
resifflcss force like tender twigS
The storm comes bowling along with
he deafening roar of charge of myriad
rtillery Such was the equinoctial gale
which envcloped the mountains III its
Jury The immense oakcu timbcrs of
kenilworth inn trembled and shook i'll
The grasp Of the wind hike the futtcr of a
might've bird. Although it was early i'll
he afternoon, the darkness of the storm
vas almost Egyptian in its intensity.
md the faces of the smokers around the
lospitable hearth Were only lighted by
he glare of its glowing cmbers 1t was
late in October, and but few guests re.
NAMED at the inn, they being a party
IF sportsmen on their return from
lunting trip over to the valley of the
French Broad.
The most conspicuous figure i'll this
little group Of well groomed but brawny
gentlemen, much tanned by their ex-
posture to the weather, was large and
portly man Of middle age and distin-
guishcd 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 i'll 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 enc of his in
imitable yarns to while away the mo-
notony of the storm. His stories were
very ludicrous and amusing generally,
but from the expression Of his benevo-
lent face his friends saw that the com
ing tale was of n more serious nature
than usual The story teller rclit his
pipe, and between long drawn puffs Of
aromatic Virginia began more i'll solilo-
guy than otherwise:
"Our presence here near the scene of
what am about to relate recalls to my
has made deep impression upon me.
Poor Virginia Staunton! Her history is
singular and romantic one. 1t is a
repetition of the old, old story of wom-
all s confiding trust and mans villain
Gus perfidy. 1t could scarcely be termed
II love story, for there was little love
lost on either side Yet there was in the
place of love kind of fascination-th
diabolical enchantment and mysterious
charm exercised by the serpent over the
hypnotized bird.
We'll, l first knew tho Stauntons-
that is, the mother and daughter-in
Philadelphia when | was medical stu
dent at the University of Pennsylvania.
Mrs. Staunton was then n handsome
widow of some 40 years, most charm
ing woman. She had recently lost her
husband and was living rather Sc
eluded life with her daughter Virginia,
who was at that time a romping, frolic-
tome creature in her teens.
Mrs. Stauuton had been n fond and
devoted wife, and in her bereavement
tvinced 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 holdncss on
the one hand or prudery on the other
| was very fond of her society and FIRE
luently called at her home
"Nirgic was winsomc and hand
some girl, just budding into sweet
young womanhood miscellaneous and
full of pranks, as all hcalthful girls
Mould be, yet withal manifesting much
If her mother r sweetness Of temper and
INABILITY of disposition.
LAS you all know, after my gradua-
ton | went abroad and did not return
for six years, and thus it was | lost
track of tho Stauutons. A year or two
after my roturn however, together with
a party of friends, visited ASheville,
aud what was my surprise to find myself
b the same hotelwith Mrs. Staunton aud
daughter ! lost no time in making my
self known to my friend of former years
and met with most cordial reception
The gay and romping Nlrgie of my o l
time remembrance had developed into a
remarkably handsome woman of digni-
fled manners, but still retaining much
of the diablerie of her younger days
There was merry twinkle i'll her bril-
liant dark eyes which ever challenged o
mile and response, and the ripping
peals of laughter bubbling up from her
glad and joyous heart spread a conta-
zion of mirth throughout the corridors
IF the hotel.
Miss Stanton of Philadelphia was
The furore in Asheville during the sum
mer of IS. Beautiful, accomplished
and wealthy, she of course had many
! aux and admirers, notably one, a sol