Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1869-01-08

band married again, and as Richard was a
stout, capable lad his step-father command
ed him to return and labor for him. The
bow obeyed but he was miserable there,
and he spent hours planning for the future,
and at last resolved to run away Pretty
Alice Drummond was the only being on
earth he loved, and to her only he said good
bye,
Years passed by, and Allie had grown to
be beautiful woman, admired and fattered.
Many sought her hand; but she refused
them all, for she had not forgotten the prom
ises she made to Richard Crindall eight
years before. The winter of her twentieth
year, she was invited by friend to spend
the season in the great city.
She went, and was the star in the brilli-
ant circle to which she was introduced. She
had been there but a few weeks. when, one
afternoon, as she was descending the steps
| of her friends house, boy accosted her:
tPlease ma'am," said he, look at this
beautiful diamond pin"
She stopped instantly, for she remember
ed the one she had given to Richard, and she
could not but hope that this was the same
come back to her.
The boy opened the little white box, and
there it lay, the same that her aunt had
given her years before.
"Will you buy it, ma'am p said the boy
ssHe loved the pin, ma'am, and he kissed it
before he gave it to me but money m ust be
had, ma'am, or we die viii you buy it ?"
She held the pin in her hand, and was
gazing at it eagerly.
sWhat is the gentleman's name ?" said
she, in tremulous accents.
Orchard Crindall, said the boy. "Hc
is at my mothers house"
ssIwill 90 and see him, " said she, aShow
me where you live"
The boy started, and she followed but they
had walked only short distance when the boy
stopped at small, neat looking house, in a
pleasant street,
''This is the house." he said gaily.
And she followed him up the steps, her
heart beating tumultously, and her step quick
but tremulous. The room that they entered
was neat and comfortable, and lying on a
! sofa was pale young maii, with his eyes
closed in sleep.It was beautiful face, with
the shiny black beard ripping away from
the red classic lips, and the silken hair brushed
away from the fair, white brow It was
Richard Crindall, The eyes of love knew
him instantly. Allie stepped lightly forward
and knelt beside the sleeper. She pressed
her lips to his forehead, and spoke her name
softly. The eyes opened suddenly those
same eyes that used to look so tenderly up
on her 'when Q child-fhe sprang to big feet
and clasped her to his breast. =
sAllie, Allie" he cried eagerly. "My
little darling, you are the same only taller
and womanly but you did not forget me.
You are mine as you promised, my faithful
/ child"
She answered him by clinging closer to
his breast.
81 knew you would calno.'' he said, and
l have waited patiently. She looked into his
sparkling eyes.
"Dck," she said, playfully, "you have
grown tall and handsome, Dick"
Have r" said he, y meyer promised
you that, but [ promised to come back rich
and" He stopped, and a shade Of paleness
passed over his face.
"Never mind" said Allie, gaily. ut
was you I loved and not money, Besides,
I have enough for us both"
"BHt what will yQHr friends say" said he
'ifyou attempt to marry poor man like
me %
s'NIy father and mother are dead" said
she, moisture gathering in her eyes; "and
I must act for myself"
The young man gathered her close to his
bosom aud kissed her dropping eyelds.
"My darling" said he, "you shall never
regret your faithfQlness to me. will be to-
YOU father, mother and husband He sat
down and drew her down beside him.
"Were you poor" said Allie, "that you
must sell that diamond pin p
"Allie," said ne 'you must not be angry
with me, will you, when l tell you the whole
story ?"
The timid eyes were raised lovingly to
his faes,
ono, will not be angry" she said. Tell
me all.
"When I left you," Richard began, Il
came Immediately to this city: | arrived
hefe in the evening. and never having been
in the city before, I knew not whore to go.
J. took my bundle and walked along the street
when suddenly I heard screams and the
prancing Of hoofs. [ looked up and saw
span Of grey horses dashing down the street
ct rapid pace. The people were screaming
whoa FROM every direction, but the horses
only ran faster and faster. As they came
nearly opposite to where I stood, threw my
bundle on the ground, and rushed toward
them. You remember how much your faith
er used to praise me for the management of
horses. I caught the foaming animals by
their brides standing directly in front of
them, and spoke to them soothingly. They
tossed their heada and was lifted from my
feet; but others rushed to my assistance and
the horses were Gained.
s'Thore was lady and her child in the
carriage, who proved to be the wife and
daughter of Daggett, one of the wealthiest
merchants in the city. The lady insisted on
my riding home with her ,.and was only too
glad to do so, and taking . scat beside the
ooachman we stopped at an elegant mansion.
Mr.. Daggett won my affection and esteem
at once. He seemed much affected when
his wife told him of the accident, and he
took me oy my hand and thanked me over
and over, while he inquired into my history
After I had concluded the account of my
SELF" said he, "well, my lad, what shall l
do for you in partial payment for the great
favor you have done me and mine p
Nothing" said I, "to pay for what
have done, fer it was only my duty; butt
am in great city alone, and if you will
give me work, it is all that I ask"
'''tGou are Q brave lad: said the kind gen
tleman, "and I have place for you in my
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