Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1869-08-27

deny the accusation, we are prepared with
abundant proofs.
And the two cousins took their leave with
an air of virtue as exalted as that of the two
elders of whom we read in the "Story of
Susannah.' %
| She went directly to Hester's chamber.
"You must tell me your past history,
child" said Mrs. Varley, in determined
but not unkindly tone.
ooh! madam, pray you pardon me,
but I cannot, cannot tell it J"
"Then it has been one of shame and
guilt?'
''For time of shame, madam" answer
ed the young girl, with flushed check, "but
neyer of guilt"
! What was it that caused Mrs Marley to
start so suddenly, and stagger half faiuting
to seat at Hestcr's dressing table
"Who-whose likeness is that I" she ex-
claimed in scarce articulate voice, point
ing to an open miniature on the table.
! ssMy mothers" Hester answered.
Then you are Florence Marvin's child. !"
"That was indeed my mothers name"
"More, you are the daughter Of my only
brother, George Haywood, for Florence
Marvin was his wife y
With stifed cry, she who had believed
herself lone and friendless in the world fell
on her kinswoman's neck, and wept tears of
mingled gladness and sorrow.
! Her story, which Hester had refused to
confde to strangers ears, she now willing
ly impaired to one from whom she felt she.
had no longer right to withhold it.
That her brother had married in opposi-
ton to his fathers wishes, and had been
disinherited in consequence, was already
known to Abigail Marley but what distant
spot he had selected for his home, and what
had befallen him there, she had never learn
ed.
The story was sad enough.
After few toisome but not unhappy
years, for they were spent in the loved So
ciety of his wife and child, dire calamity
had fallen upon George Haywood. He
came under suspicion of a fearful crime. A
network of circumstances too intricate for
mans wit to disentangle environed him and
he was condemned to die. The stern jqdg-
ment was carried into effect, and the execu-
ted murderer's deFpised widow sought con-
cealment for herself and child in a change Of
place and name. Long, long years after
wards the truth was discovered, but the
judicial murder has passed among the things
irrevocable The poor widow died at last
died broken hearted, but with one consola-
ton: she had lived to see her husbands in
nocence indicated.
"And this, my poor child, is the shame of
which you spoke. u
"My life has known no other"
Not many days after, Hester was sent to
one of the first seminaries in the land for she
had vet time enough to avail herself of OPP
portunities of culture hitherto beyond her
reach. Her aunt and she kept their own
counsel. Cousins Roger and Dick only
knew that the object Of their solicitude had
disappeared, and probably congratulated
themselves on the success of their Eirtuous
stratagem
After time Mr.. Parker, cousin Abigail
lawyer, was sent for and after that the good
lady seemed wonderfully revived in health
and spirits. At her next birthday the pros
pect of "many happy returns produced
anything but a happy effect on the two ex-
pectant cousins, WHO began to think that,
after all, the life tables might not be infalli-
BILE,
But her time came at last and within
decent period after the sad event, cousin
Roger and Dick were duly summoned to at
tend the reading of Abigail Varley's will.
Poor Tabby, as if seeking consolation in
her bereavement, leaped upon the knee Of
her old friend Dick, who stroked her back
pathetically, but little nervously. Pom
pey, who took things more philosophically,
stretched himself opt foF a snooEe at the
feet Of Roger.
| Mr.. Parker, drawing from his pocket the
document, proceeded to read it.
The introduction was long and formal.
But, bark there's something coming
now.
s.To my cousin. Richard Higgins"
Richard looked at Roger with the triumph
of a prize-fghter who has drawn first blood.
Ell give and bequeath-"
You could have heard both their hearts
beat.
"In consideration of the natural love and
affection which I have long observed between
them"
Dick looked puzzled.
-"My javorite cat Ta1by-"
Dick gave Tabby furious stroke the
wrong way.
-"And no more of mig estate"
With fling that betokened a most en-.
platte remuneration of the legacy, Tabby was
sent mewing and splitting to the farthest cor
ner Of the room.
"To my cousin, Roger Smith"
It was Rogers turn to triumph.
-"In consideration of the like natural
love and Affection"
Roger began to feel suspicious.
4-'pI gipe and 5equeah my dog Ponlpey
and no more of my estate"
With violent kick Pompey was sen
spinning after the cat, and the fear of hel
who had SO long kept the peace between then
being no longer before their eyes, the pen
up enmity of years found vent in an uproari
GUS fight, in the noise of which the voice o
} the old lawyer was almost drowned; but TIT
words, crest and residue Of my estate
niece, Hester Haywood" were sufficiently
: audible, and cousins Dick and Roger stale
to hear no more.
J. --------S---@
THINK BEFORR You SpEAK.-Many 8
harsh, unkind and unjust remark would
have been left unsaid had the speaker listen
ed but for single instant to the voice O
reason. Ties which have stood the test Of
long years have, in one moment, been sun
dered-the warmest friendships have been
brnlzan-families ha No han,, canaratad ant