Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1911-05-12
FAINT HEART
~ AND y y
FAIR LADY

t>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><|
Eyes, 1t is really true that came
near marrying an American girl,
said Paul Touchard. ut is now Is
years ago. was spending my vaca
ton In q little town. On the lovely
shore of Normandy, where there is
always a breeze and where the cot
tage ladies gather on the beach ev
cry afternoon to gossip. One even
ing in August, it was between six
and seven. we saw far away cloud
of smoke, and little while after
ward q large, elegant steam yacht
come toward us. 1t anchored, an old
gentleman and a lady and young
girl went into a boat and came
ashore.
Excuse me, sir, but would you
please tell me the nearest way to
the hotel?"
Hotel Beau-Rivage, I suppose?"
Eyes, sir"
It was me whom the young girl
addressed. While I gave her the
Information I looked at her closely
She was dark blonde with big eyes
which seemed to look straight into
your heart Her features were beau.
tiful and I was especially taken with
the pose Of her head.
After she had left l could not help
thinking of her and I kept thinking
Of her for long time. The propri-
etress Of the hotel was an amiable
and most eloquent lady and she was
not slow in getting all the informa-
ton she could from the servants of
the new arrivals. It was not long
before I knew that the new guests,
the Foggs family, were Americans,
and that Mr.. Foggs had made an i'm
mense fortune in fur. His steam
yacht alone would represent a for
tune in France.
The next day the Americans came
down to the little pavilion built at
the foot Of the downs close to the
beach.
Miss Annie Foggs wore white
dress with short sleeves and she had
the most beautiful arms I ever saw.
When she entered there was a pause,
but only for a moment, then the peo-
ple kept on dancing. I went across
the floor and asked the American
girl to honor me with a dance.
with the greatest Of pleasure"
she said.
She danced we'll and never seem
ed to get tired.
Three times a week we had a hop
In the little pavilion.
Mr.. Foggs no longer thought Of
leaving his daughter, whose will was
law unto him and he decided to stay.
The Americans and 1 were soon in
separable, and the old couple were
exceedingly kind to me.
I do not think they cared to know
my business. at least they never
asked me. Miss Annie and I took
long walks together every day. We
did not exchange sweet words, but
both of us knew that deep in our
hearts feeling was growing which
promised fair to develop into love.
None of us cared for the gossip of
the other guests and we kept on with
our daily walks, although they were
far more dangerous to us than the
steep cliff which the goats climb.
Suddenly, one day, Annie said:
There is something you want to
tell me, Mr.. Touchard."
And what should that be, Miss
Annie?"
She looked at me and her brown
eyes were soft as velvet.
Eyes, I know there is something
you want to tell me, but you do not
dare because you are poor"
"Do you want me to tell you what
1t is? 1 believe you love me. I dare
not say now that love you, but
like you immensely. And then there
1s another thing. I'm engaged to
marry young man at New York,
but 1 don't care for him. He is a
miserable dancer and has big ugly
hands and thinks too much of his
business and very little of me-"
Are you going to break your en-
gagement?"
mo; that cannot be done. My
father has arranged the marriage,
and he will not break his promise,
especially as my fiancee is the own
; er of some of the largest oil wells
| in the United States.
Then I do not understand what
you mean"
Don't you understand, Mr.. Touch
ard. that you are to go with us to
New York. There my father will
give you a position in his business
and We will see each other as often
AS possible, dear"
your father will offer me a posi-
tion?"
"Yes, and he will give you $4,000 a
year. That will do for a start"
l looked at her, for 1 did not at
first believe she was in earnest, but
one glance at her face was enough
| to convince me that she was. l was
young. I loved Miss Annie, and 1t
was not clear to me what difficult
situation l was going into.
Il accept the honor, Miss Annie"
Perhaps I love you, too" she
said slowly, looking down into the
| sand where she was drawing figures
with the point of her parasol. But
when she raised her head saw two
tears in her eyes.
The same evening Mr.. Foggs cana
FrTAD"NE CryrD"rr