Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1894-09-05

about nothing, for he generally forgot tc
bait the hook. But what would you
have?
The warmth of the sun seemed to re-
new his tired brain; the breeze inspired
strength. In the quiet or sparkle of the
waters he saw the continuance of pros
perity OF the advent Of success. Had
any one asked him how Alice had spent
her time he would have regarded the
questioner like one inquiring as to the
first letter of the alphabet. ''Why, as
all women do, I presume, he would
have answered, rather querulously.
"She reads and embroiders and drives
and plays tennis, and there are hops
and music, you know. Mercy, she's so
busy l see but little of her." And
Alice, sitting disconsolately on the pi-
azza appreciated how brief was their
actual association and how tedious were
the remaining hours, and one day, rec
ognizing a tall form approaching her
from the road, with the strides of un-
feigned joy, she vowed that Paul, too,
should wonder and wait and grow lone
ly.
The following afternoon, when Paul
was returning from the lake, he crossed
through the woods to the main road.
AS he was standing on the bank, half
hidden by the underbrush from the
bend below, there came rumble, the
tattoo of hoofs and merry song inter-
spersed with bursts of jocund laughter.
A four-in- hand coach swung along, all
alight with dainty colors. Such al ar
ray of pretty women and gallant men!
They might well be pilgrims of pleasure
bound for Calypso's isle. And on high,
in the rear, beating time with her Grim
son parasol in the very face of SNUG
and smiling swain, sat Alice.
Recognition gets its swiftest impulse
from dislike We may mistake a friend,
but we often feel an enemy before we
see him. Not that Paul regarded Mason
Welles in so serious an aspect. He SIM
ply disapproved of him with that con-
tempt which consoles the tortoise for
the gracefulness of the hare.
81 see that man Welles is here, said
Paul to Alice when they met in that
domestic forum, their room.
''Eh? All! Yes, oh, yes!' she replied.
''Will he remain long?"
ST presume SO, continued the young
woman mischievously.
Paul colored visibly, despite the exer-
tions of the sun. He felt ridicule the
more because he was utterly unable to
return it i'll kind. Some fond true ma
lures cannot change, except through a
convulsion, and then they change radi-
cally. The nearest shade Of difference
from caress becomes a downright
blow. Alice proceeded hurriedly, excus-
ing and thus accusing: 81 know you
will be pleased, Paul, to hear me say
that I like this place SO much better.
The people here are impossible, of
course, except for a spelling bee or a
funeral, but there is such a right jolly
party staying over at the Naples, friends
of Mr.. Welles, you know. They were in
despair for chaperon until they found
me. Now, just keep on fishing and give
yourself no further concern regarding
my welfare. We take moonlight sail
tomorrow night, and Saturday we drive
w tllO 0lt1llulty WlUll tlC lll1L
Way House. So be a dear, fussy old
bachelor all you please And Alice
fitted from the room humming a snatch
of the song to which she had beaten
time so blithely.
Paul stood before the glass with his
collar half fastened. There was COM
ical expression of CONSERVATION ON the
reflected face, which made him laugh,
but not merrily. ga fussy old bach
elorp' So such was the verdict on his
endeavors as model husband! Perhaps
a man could work more steadfastly and
plan more cautiously and give more
generously than he! Doubtless that
grinning idiot whose eyes ought to begin
to water for the wringing his nose
would surely get was a more fit object
to be loved honored and obeyed! Come,
now, if contrariety was required, by
Jove, he would furnish it!
Old and fussy, indeed! When, two
years since, he had been in truth a bach
elor, only his absurd ideas of devotion
had kept him free from many charming
allurements. And now, after the sixth
collar had been appropriately sacrificed
to his choler Paul finished his labors
and descended to the piazza quite salts
fed with the results. Alice was no.
where to be seen. Doubtless she was
rehearsing those duties which should
save that right jolly party from despair,
but there was one of the Mantell twins.
Sophronia, the geologist, looking mighty
fine, too, and smiling timid greeting
to him such as q man of his distinction
merited. He drew chair to her side
and began that analysis OF the weather
which is the sherry and bitters to
friendly chat After he had gulped this
decoction Paul continued: 81 can't re-
member to have ever before seen you
apart from your sister. You are the in
separables, you know. :"
Abigail was engaged with tire.
some seamstress, " Sophronia exclaimed,
"and 1 really felt the need Of the air.
and SOL
"And SO my lucky star brought you
hither, interrupted Paul gallantly.
"Yes," murmured the girl, sit was
Ute that united us once more.
Paul started and flushed with amaze
ment. What the deuce could that
mean? Was this one of those highly re-
spectacle and decorous Mantell girls
whom he had often been fain to hold up
as examples to Alice? Yes, he could not
doubt his eyes, however much he might
his cars, although she seemed changed.
Her glasses were off, and there was a
tender expression on her face, as if her
back hair were becoming undone She
was leaning toward him, too, as if in
need of that holding up' process. De-
oidedly a shift of subject was neces-
sary, so that he might gain an interval
to think.
cts about time for that dinner bell
to ring blurted the wretched man.
''Don't mention time, dearest"
breathed Sophronia, ''when we have an
eternity of bliss before us. "
Paul sprang to his feet aghast and
gasping. REALLY, Miss Sophronia, real
ly Miss Mantell, this won't do at ALL
You must excuse me if I leave you at
once. There is some dreadful misappre-
hension. What if amy one should over
hear? Think
eyes, agreed Sophronia, staying his
arm, ''you are right. We must dissem-
BILE. But let me go, not you. Here comes