Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1896-01-10

i1AOSU COlumlSSlOu6IS dI6 luGdl, UuG DALI
Sageott was an exception. He enter
tanned royalty. He horsed himself we'll,
he gave dances, he was power in the
hand, and he behaved as such.
Consider that everything I am writ
ling # took place in an almost prehistor-
ic era i'll the history Of British India.
Some folk may remember the years be-
,fo-c lawn tennis was born when we all
played croquet There were seasons be-
fore that, if you will believe me, when
even croquet had not been invented and
|archery-which was revived in Eng land
lin 1S44-was as great pest as lawn
tennis is now. People talked learnedly
about holding" and "loosing,"
'steles, - ''rehexed bows, - $50 pound
bows, backed OR "self yew bows, :"
as we talk about "rallies, " "volleys, {"
"smashes," "returns'' and "16 ounce
irackets. "
Miss Beighton shot divinely over la
dies distance-60 yards, that is-and
was acknowledged the best lady archer
in Simla. Men call her "Diana of Tara
tDevi.'
Barr-Saggott paid her great attention,
and, as 1 have said, the heart of her
mother was uplifted in consequence
Kitty Beighton took matters more calm
ly. 1t was pleasant to be singled out by
a commissioner with letters after his
name and to fill the hearts of other
girls with bad feelings.
But there was no denying the fact
that Barr-Saggott was phenomenally
ugly, and all his attempts to adorn him
self only made him more grotesque He
was not christened "The Langur'-
(which means gray ape-for nothing. It
was pleasant, Kitty thought, to have
him at her feet, but it was better to es-
cape from him and ride with the grace
less Cubbon-the man in dragon regi-
ment at Umballa-the boy with hand
some face and no prospects,
Kitty liked Cubbon more than lit
tile. He never pretended for a moment
that he was anything less than head over
heels in love with her, for he was an
honest boy. So Kitty fled, now and
again, from the stately wooings of Barr
Saggott to the company Of young Cub
bon and was scolded by her mamma in
consequence. ''But, mother" she said,
'Mr. Saggott is such-such ais so
fearfully ugly, you know!
"My dear" said Mrs Beighton pious-
ly, 1--WE cannot be other than an all rul-
ing Providence has made us. Besides,
you will take precedence of your own
mother, you know. Think of that and
be reasonable "
Then Kitty put up her little chin and
said lrreverent things about precedence
and commissioners and matrimony. Mr..
Beighton rubbed the top of his head,
for he was an easy going man.
Late in the season, when he Judged
that the time was ripe, Barr Saggott de-
veloped plan which did great credit to
his administrative powers. He arranged
an archery tournament for ladies, with a
most sumptuous diamond studded brace
let as prize. He drew up his terms skill
fully, and every one saw that the BRACE
let was gift to Miss Beighton, the &C.
ceptance carrying with it the hand and
the heart of Commissioner Barr Sag
gott. The terms were a st. Leonard s
round--56 shots at 60 yards-under the
rules of the Simla Toxophilite society.
All Sinla was invited There were
beautifully arranged tea tables under
the de0dars at Annandale, where the
grand stand is now, and, alone in its
glory. winkipg in the sun, sat the dia-
mond bracelet in blue velvet case.
Miss Beighton was anxious-almost too
anxious-to compete.
On the appointed afternoon all Simla
rode down to Annandale to witness the
Judgment Of Paris turned upside down.
Kitty rode with young Cubbon, and ii
Svas easy to see that the boy was trop-
b1ed in his mind. He must be held in
poceat Of everything that followed. Kit
ty was pale and nervous and looked long
at the brace let. Barr Saggott was gor-
geotasly dressed, even more nervous than
Kitty, anG mors hideoGs than ever.
Mrs. Beightol smiled understanding
~, as beftted the mother of a potential
G9.nmissioneress, and the shooting be:
ga,s. 81 the world standing a semie;rcle
as the ladies came out one after the
other.
Nothing is IS zeaaious as all archery
competition. They stod, and they shot,
and they kept On shooting, till the sun
left the valley, and little breezes got nE
i'll the deedars, and people waited fo1
Miss Beighton to shoot and win. Cub
bon was at one horn OF the semicircle
FOUND the shooters and Barr Saggott al
the other. Miss Beighton was last oll
the list. The scoring had been weak,
and the bracelet, plus Commissioner
Barr Saggott, was hers to a certainty.
The commissioner strung her bow
with bis own sacred hands. She stepped
fTward, looked at the bracelet, and bel
first arrow went true to hair-ful
Unto Ass heart of the ''gold' counting
mine points.
Young Gubbop On the left tarneG
white, and his devil prompted Barr,
Saggott to snile Now, horses used Il
shy when Barr. Saggott smiled. Kitty
saw that smile. She looked to her lief,
front, gave an almost imperaeptible noe
y Cubbon and went on shooting.
wish. I could describe the scene lAal