Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1868-12-11
STORY
ALICE, THE ORPHAN
By A CONTEMPORARY

Alice so long this morning" said Monsieur
Marcel to his wife, as they sat talking to-
gether, after breakfast, in the long parlor
overlooking the garden plot.
''She is gone to cut thee bouquet, Bap-
list" answered his wife
..What clever girl she is for her age
Helen She is rs learned as a book she
sings like nightingale; draws and paints
beautifully; is clever needlewoman, aud
is the best cook | ever knew, EXCEPT your
self"
besides all this, my dear Saptst, she is
so good, so kind, so gentle and afectionate. y
.sAnd so cheerful. likewise. my dear
How pretty her songs ring throughout the
house"
s'Not lately"
How. not lately! You surprise me, wife
Have you observed difference in her OF
late 2"
.Nnt I, indeed"
'sNo depression of spirits q''
Depression of spirits p Nothing of the
kind; VIII. never meet her, whether it be
| in the garden or the house, her pretty face
brighteps up, and her mouth oycrAows with
smiles, that leap about like gold fishes in a
lass case. Depression Of spirits, say you
| What can you mean =
Il have thought of it often, Baptist, and
twenty times at least / have been going to
. speak to you; that girls mind is not 81 free
and undisturbed as it was,
Indeed are you sure Of this? Has she
said anything p
we women, understand each other insanc-
lively. We never understand you. nor yop
us; but we know each other well / tell
you what Baptist, ever since our son Alfred
came home from college. three months ago,
Alice has not been what she was y
You alarm me, wife; do you suspect
she loves the boy? She is over young for
that.2
'.Shc is almost sixteen, and be twenty -
Alfred is very handsome. He has free
open manner"
care you certain. wife, that our adopted
Alice loves our son Alfred 2
s'Quite certain of it y
Then she told you So perhaps p
Il have seep it with my En eyes, as you
might have done, Baptist though, to be
sure. she is more guarded when you are pres
emit"
Il had other Thoughts for Alfred. love
Alice tenderly, dev"tedly, like parent -
Were she my own daughter. could not love
her more. But to have taken her, as di'
from very humble sphere, to have her ed
ucatvd carefully-to have 81 ven her the
sonndcst principles and the most engaging
acconplishmenfs-this, | thought was doing
sufficient for the orphan girl (! | cannot MAJ
my sons prospect in life. Does he love her
Helen hope not"
do you hope not? Are you sure OF tha
Baptist Is it your heart that uttered thu
wish p
You sighed. Helen; you are woman
and pity love sick girl. So do |, but
am father, and do not feel myself callet
upon to throw an obstacle in the way Of my
sons prosperity Does Alfred love her
You have not yet told me that
mot as she loves him, Baptist"
s.Then why do you sigh again so heavily
We both love Alice as we ought TO love her
but there are limits to all such affection: ant
must be candid and tell you [, for my part
am selfish enough to rejoice at my sons lib
city. Go, Helen. and bring the orphan II
me; must settle this matter directly; i
has discomposed me good deal.'
Il am going Baptist, but speak kindly
to her when she comes. Poor thing it il
not her fault if she loves Alfred. All GU
kiud,.ess to her has prepared her to enter
tain that feeling"
| Accordingly, after the foregoing dlalogu
Madame Marcel proceeded to the garden
where she found the orphan alone and weep
ing. She held in her hand a very prett..
bouquet, which she had gathered herself, ant
more than one tear had fallen on the flow
ers.
The two women looked at each other whel
thew nett was look full of meaning
On the orphans side there was grief and hu
mility in that look; sympathy, compassion
and sorrow were in the matrons.
s'He las sent me child, to bring you t
) him he is impatient to see you.
Have you spoken to him Madame p sh
inquired, bending her eyes to the ground,
IL have told him that you love Alfred
that was all"
In the meantime Alfred Marcel had re
: Joined his father, and the old man uncere
no1iously questioned him about the state
. his affections fer the old gentleman ma
long meditated match between his son an
the heiress, Annias Guvrard, the elder
daughter Of rich stock broker,
Z Alfred Marcel who was not overburdene
with care and anxiety of any kind, has az
sured his father that his heart was entirel
:. disengaged, aod that he was quite ready
marry Mademoiselle Guvrard.
j. The two ladies now entered the parlor.-
g Alice advanced with her bouquet to gree
the excellent old man.