Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1896-05-06

A'sAu Ao'o1s anu Wnon Sno recovered
beautiful hair was white as snow. 4
grandfather removed from place who
every object brought back some tearf
memory to his daughter, and whe
soon after, he died. Aunt Lettie can
p live with us in Cromer. Though on
a little thing, I recall perfectly the ds
she came, for I thought I had nev,
seen any one SO sweet and yet SO sa'
None had ever heard Aunt Lettie laug]
none had even seen her smile, vet 81
was cheerful always and ready to hel
every one. All this happened 20 yea
ago, and though many had sought he
hand she was still true to the memor
of Gilbert Tresillian.
During the next few days l coul
think and talk of nothing save the CON
ing masquerade and Jacks return.
But be the d:-y never SO weary or long,
At length it ringeth to evensong.
And SO at length the eventful evenin
arrived. Aunt and mother dressed m
In petticoat and train of loyeliest whis
brocade, trimmed with filmy honito1
lace. Mother dropped many furtiv
tear, recalling the bride that was t,
have been, whose romance of love wa
cut short In such mysterious fashion
but aunt said never word till wa!
dressed, and then, turning to my moth
er, she exclaimed:
''She looks better, Mary, than ]
should have done. and, after all, you
see, it has not been utterly wasted. But
you must let mo powder your hair, Let
tie. Every one wore powder when was
young.
At last l was ready, just as the lum-
bering old chariot drew up to the door
The drive to the Hall, the hedges and
trees sparkling with frost in the bril-
liant moonlight, the hammer, hammer
OF the horses hoofs upon the iron bound
road; the first sight of the Hall, as we
drove up the avenue, all its windows
Illuminated; the faint sound of the
music borne upon the still night air:
then the entry into the brilliantly light
ed rooms; Sir John and Lady Pendar-
yes hearty welcome-all come back to
me now. I suppose my entrance made
sensation. 1 was conscious Ct a buzz Of
admiration as I passed through the as
mbled guests.
Why, Lettie, my DEAR exclaimed
Lady Pendarves, chow beautiful you
look! declare your hoops and powder
become you nightly. But come along,
child, let me take you to Jack. He has
been asking for you ever since he came
back. And, taking my hand in her
Jeweled one, "Lettie, my dear, if you
could"-
just at this moment up came Jack
(Major Pendarves he was now, looking
handsome in his hussar uniform, vet
just the same merry, smiling Jack Of
old. He was my partner in the new
dance, called the waltz, just introduced
from Abroad dance that my mother
did not quite approve as she considered |
it too familiar for young men and maid
ems, but which I found very agreeable
with Jack for partner.
well, Lettle, you have grown quite I
woman now, and I suppose have quite
forgotten your old sweetheart?''
"Oh. Jack, how can you? have nv
lalf here, " touching my pocket. "Can
vou say as much?''
Yes, dear, that can. have never
'arted with it. It has been with me
trough every battle-my talisman of
afety and love. y
What need to tell again the old story,
yer sweet that men will love to tell
nd women to hear as long as the world
ndures; suffice it that ere the dance
ad ended / had promised to be his wife.
"Oh, Jack, said, as he was lead
1g me back to Lady Pendarves, ''I felt
lmost wicked to accept you. You know
have not a penny, and my Dress"
dded with laugh, is Aunt Lettie's."
Il don't care if you haven't penny.
have enough for both, and I want you
II yourself and not for your money"
Lady Pendarves was delighted and
lr John was kind, and SO it was set
ed that, with my mother S permission,
e We're to be married ere Jack rejoined
IS regiment.
"And now," said Lady Pendarves,
you must really go and dance with
me OF the other guests and leave Let
. to me. :"
l was sitting, oh, SO happy, by Sir
'hn, who was making all sorts of
ans for our future, when I saw a tall
ntleman, dressed in foreign uniform,
aklng his way through the guests to-
ard the recess where we were. I.had
tlced him several times before in the
urse of the evening regarding me
ost attentively.
AS he was evidently coming to speak
us said:
who is this gentleman, Sir John?"
''Oh, my dear, Mr-Mr.-tut, ]
!, forget his name for the moment ]
riend Ct Jacks, who came over from
ance with him and is staying few
rs with u.s.
By this time the gentleman had made {
way across the hall, and stood bow
, to us. 6
May I have the honor bf this 6
lce?'' he inquired. I
was going to reply "No," for +
nted to rest till Jack came back to c
when Sir John said. eyes, Lettie, t
Id, do" So, of course, Twas obliged =
say, "With pleasure. !;
Ny partner, who was certainly un- 6
amonly handsome and tall, almost :.
handsome and tall as Jack, only a
ch older, was silent for the time, >,
then said suddenly: o.
Pray pardon my curiosity, but are q q
a native Of this country? You are !,
ike some one knew years ago, the "
,ness is quite startling" 81
Yes, was born here in Cromer. ST
Ah," he replied with sigh, 81 et
J foolish to think of such thing, te
course, it could not be-" to himself, m
then to me, IT only returned to m
,land few weeks ago. and am try ec
to trace Miss Treherne, u h;
Why, that is my name" / answer q,
quite startled. -
But the Miss Treherne am search
for is almost as old as I am. and r.
-you are not more than 18. Be- sr
8, you say you were born in Gro ne
, and she was native Of Dawlish.
Why, you must mean dear Aunt
ie, my fathers sister," said 1--WE
g from Dawlish here. " in
Is your aunt married?" asked my th
ner Ireathless1v m!