Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1896-10-30

through the whirllDg throng and
caressed the beautiful white shoul'
ders. Sometimes he was bold
enough to approach the mother anc
engage in conversation. This was
the extent of his advances.
With feelings Of bitter envy he
saw his comrades lowering around
| the girl, each trying his best to
secure favor. He said to himself:
"SOn day | shall hear that she is
to marry some of these favored
ones. Then all will be over" In
the desolate silence of his chamber
he gave up to his despair. lie
tried to reason with himself. How
foolish he was to even think of this
spoiled child of fortune. suited
only to luxurious surroundings.
She was not intended for a poor
offer.
But IN spite of himself his
thoughts flew toward her. He
saw her in his dreams smiling ami
whirllng In the dance. She seemed
10 ueckOn TO him with irritating
coquetIy. He thought; "Who|
kuowsi she might accept mel! Al
the thought his heart beat so fast
that he was nearly stiaed.
At last he cOald contain himself
no longer. His life became un-
endurable He went 10 the major,
who had always taken an interest
in him, and begged him to sound
the colonel on The subject OF mar
rage with his daughter without
making a formal proposal. H'
passed that day on the borders OF
the s wiss lake IN the garden o
Aersailles watching the carp jump
in the sun, aud the future looked
yer, dark before him.
That evening the major took
him aside and said briefly:
al have seen the colonel. He
was courtesy aud here is his an
swer: Your protege has not a cent.
NV daughter has no dowry. IT
would be to unite hunger and
thirst He was righ'. Forget tn
young lady. IfyOu feel disappolnt
ed, console yourself with studying
military tactics"
The lieutenant thanked hlm, but
he did not try to console himself
AS officers were needed to go to
Touauln he offered his services.
Tue following week he embarked
at Brest. And while with a burst
ing heart he was borne away from
France on the heaying waves OF "a
stormy sea, the young girl, happy
and thOughtless, danced IN the
J bright light, careless of all her Joy
Two years had passed away.
The general still gave brilliant
fetes at his elegant home, bat the
young girl who had formerly turn
cd all heads was seen there no
more. The colouel of the Ole
Hund ed and Twenty third had
died suddenly just as be was
abount to receive his stars a
mOnotouous life had succeeded the
CAV one led by his wife and daugh
ter. All the brilliant officers who
had lowered arOand had disap.
|
peared with the pleasure aud
g4yety. The new colonel also had
a wife and daugh ter; these new
rulers received all the attenIlon'
while for the old ones was reserved
the distant bow IN the streets, then
the sudden passing on.
The widow and her daughter ex
changed a bitter smile on those
occasions as they continued their
1 walk. They went into the pari
to enjoy the sunshine Ofa fine an
tumn which gilded the marble
/ states and the turning leaves {
. the great horse chesthuts. Tbey
7 sat down and listening to the mil
a ltary band, seemed to see CLEAN
t OF their lost happiness. 1t seemed
l TO them as If nothing had changed
! and as II they might nave oehihO
+ them at any moment the coloneP'
voice saying: "GOod afternoon
ladies'. Today the One HUNDRED
and Twenty fourth Is giving th'
d concert. Its music does not eqna
d ours"
Bat the shouts of childrhn play
Z luz on the grass near 10y 'wece th'
II only sound they heard. Th
a mother, with sigh, tried to rea
d the paper through glasses dimme
le by tears, while the daughter cast
=. longing glance toward her fOrme
o. admirers, who scarcely knew he
TO now. She was nearly %, but he
] face, refined by sorrow, was NOR
is beautiful than ever. She was lik