Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1869-09-17
ly round, he encountered the gaze of Miss

ly round. he encountered the gaze OF MISS
Sarepta Puppies specialized orbs.
He colored scarlet as he dragged forth II
chair and stammered out some incoherent
sentence or other-for was she not Violet's
aunt-the aunt of the fair damsel whom he
worshippcd afar off and in silence
'.Thank'ee" said Miss Purple, deposit
ing herself on the chair as one might set
down heavy trunk, -'Pve come on bust
ness"
Because" said Miss Sarepta. cdging her
chair little nearer that of the young law
yer, Il think it's high time this business
was settled p
"What business ?"
"What business p echoed Miss Purple,
with belligerent toss of her head; ''as if
the man didn't know well enough what I
was talking about-why, getting married to
he sure !"
Mr. Torrington grew shade Or two paler.
Was it possible that this ancient maiden still
contemplated the probability of matrimony !?
Had she then selected him for her victim
He looked at the back window-it was
opened on blind alley which led nowhere ;
he glanced at the door-but Miss Puppies
gaunt form eifectually debarred that means
q egress No---therc was nothing but to
sit still and face the worst fate had in store
for him.
You see, went on Miss Sarepta, aint
blind if am getting on in years, and [ can
see as well as anybody what you mean by
coming SO often to our house But, still, [
think you'd ought to ha' spoke out like a
man. Tn: willing -and I don't s'pose my
brother IL object, as you seem to be able to
keep wife!
,You-you are very kind p suffered
Mr.. Torrington.
Us it to be yes or no-about the mar
riage, l mean ?"
81 shall be most happy, am sure p
futterred our miserable hero.
"Spokc like man! It's what [ knew
you meant all the time" cried Aunt Sarep-
ia, rising to her feet and actually depositing
an oscular demonstration meant for kiss on
Church's forehead II knew should like
you, my boy!"
Church stared. This was not exactly
etiquette, but the whole matter was really
so strange and unprecedented that he hard
ly knew what to think.
''And when will you come round to
Brother Jacobs and tell the folks all about
it-for [ suppose you'd like to tell them
yourself? This evening p
Yves, if you say SO J"
''It's as good time as any I s'posc. Of
course you won't mention that said any
thing to you about it? I'd rather it should
seem unstudied.'
Naturally enough!" thought poor Church.
But he promised with sickly smile and
parted from Miss Purple, almost shrinking
from the vigorous grasp of the hand which
she unhesitatingly bestowed upon him.
No foone. was Church Torrington alone
than the full horror of his position rushed
upon him. What had he done /? To what
had he committed himself?
at serves me right" he muttered, grind
ing his teeth, "when I could have won the
love of the sweetest little fairy that the sun
ever shonc on. It was simply idiotic of me
to allow middle aged termagant to take
possession of me as though were cooking
stove or second hand clock And she'll
marry me, aud | shall be captive for life,
simply because I was too much Of noodle
to save myself. Oh, dear, dear! this is
terrible scrape for a poor fellow to get into
But there is no help for it now If I were
to back out, she'd sue me for breach Of
promise if were to cut for Australia, she
would follow me there, as sure as Fate I'm
a gone Individuals lost community p
And Church Torrington proceeded straight
to the brown-stone mansion where dwelt the
inexorable Sarepta.
Lo and behold as he rang the oor-bell,
Miss Purple herself opened the door and
mysteriously beckoned him in.
II saw you coming" She said, in a low,
eager tone. 1--WE been on the lookout
Excuse me, my dear, but l really feel must
kiss you once more. We're going to be re-
lations, you know !'
Relations I should think so! p groancd
Church Torrington, taking the kiss as q
child would quinine powder.
Miss Sarepta pattcd him on the shoulder.
"Then 60 in,' she said, nodding mystic
riously towards the door beyond
$50 in-where % stammered our bcwil-
dered hero
"Why, to Violet, to be sure v'
ITO Violet! Was it Violet you meant
''To be sure it was! Whom did you sup
pose meant? Ne q
The last suggestion, hazarded as the Wild
est improbability by Miss Sarepta, called the
guilty color up into Church's cheek.
"Miss Purple, pardon me-" he said, "but
I've been a stupid blockhead Don't be an
cry, as you said we're going to be relations" "
And he took the spinster in his arms, and
bestowed upon her a kiss which made its
predecessor appear but the shadow and ghost
of kisses--a kiss which sounded as if Mr..
Church Torrington meant it.
"Do behave yourselfv'' cried Miss Sarepta
Eyes. am going to-" said Church, and
he walked straight into the drawing -roo m,
where little Violet was dreaming over an
unread book of poems. She started as he
entered. z'''-
"Mr. Torrington, is it you 2"
eyes, it is l, T" said Church, inspired with
new courage. ''Violet, darling, love you
will you consent to be my wife 2"
care you in earnest, Church ?"
ain earnest It's what have been wan
ting to say to you for the last six months,
but have never dared to venture Come,
you will not send me away without an an
swer. Say yes, darling"
eyes," Violet answered so family, that
only true loves ear could have discerned the
faltering monosylable. And Church Tor
rington felt as if he we're the luckiest fellow
in all the great metropolis that night.
When aunt Sarepta came in, looking very
unconscious, to light the gas, Church insis-
ted unnn another kiss greatly to that ladv's