Waterbury evening Democrat., 1894-08-14
BIG STAKES.

of Kenilworth inn. A group of gentle men sat enjoying its genial warmth, while the fierce gale raging without :oared 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 a storm amid the mountains. Even in the dreamy haze of Indian summer these grim old sentincls 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- numerable peaks and headlands the ef- feet becomes awe inspiring to 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 resistlcss force li.e 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 oaken timbers of 1 KenilwUth inn trembled and shook in the grasp of the wind like the fiutter of a fugitive bird Although it was early in | the afternoon, the darkness of the storm was almost Egyptian in its intensity, and tho faces of the smokers around the hospitable hearth were only lighted by the glare of its glowing embcrs- It was late in October, and but few guests re- maincd at the inn. they being a party | of spOrtsmCn 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- posture 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 a racon- l 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 ludicrOus 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 moro in solilo- quy 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 Q deep impression upon me. Poor Virginia Staunton! Her history is singular and romantic one. It is q repetition of the old, old story of wom- ans confiding trust and mans villain ous perfidy. It could scarcely be termed | love story, for there was little love lost on either side. Yet there was in the place of love q 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 a medical stu dent at the University of Pennsylvania Mrs. Staunton was then q handsome widow of some 10 years, a most charm ing woman. She had recently lost her husband and was living a rather se- cluded life with her daughter Virginia, who was at that time romping frolic- some creature in her teens
 Mrs. Staunton had been q fond and devoted wife, and in her bereavement evinccd all the richness and sweetness of q pure, good woman, along with a I i<I, 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 on the one hand or prudery on the other. was very fond of her society and ire, quently called at her home.
 ''Virgie was a winsome and hand some girl, just budding into sweet young wOInanhood, mischievous and full of pranks, as all healthful girl: should bc, yet withal manifesting much of her mothers sweetness of temper and amiabiIity of disposition
 ''As you all know, after my gradua ton 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, visited Asheyille, and what was my surprise to find myself in the same hotel with Mrs Staunton and daughter. I lost no time in making my self known to my friend of former year: and met with a most cordial reception. The gay and romping Virgie of my old time remembrance had developed into e remarkably handsome woman of digni- fled manners, but still retaining much of the diablerie of her younger days. There was a merry twinkle in her hriI.
 liant dark eyes which ever challenged
 smile and respOIIsc, and the ripplin
 peals of laughter bubbling up from he
 glad and joyous heart spread a conta
 zion of mirth throughout the corridor
 of the hotel
 Miss Staunton of Philadelphia wa
 the furCre in Asheville during the sum ' mer of lS-. Beautiful, accomplishe
 and wealthy, she of course had man ], beaux and admirers, notably one, a SC
 disant French nobleman, the Vioomt
 de Grenet. Every sensible person aware of the madness prevailing anon American girls for titled foreigner,
 particularly among heiresses, for tn
 less fortunate maids dare not aspire 6 }. high.
 = Mere beauty is secondary consider ation with these adventurers. For a ]. empty title these angelic creatures wi
 barter their bodies and cast their pear
 before swine After an internation
 wedding of great pomp and ceremon
 they sail of to Europe to fetch up pro' ably in the padded cells of a madhoul or else in a few years are glad enoug
 to return to good old soapmakinI ! pork packing papa and mamma IT