Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1869-06-18
SELECTED sTORYI
THE FACT0RY-GIRL.
BY b. FRANK RUSSELL.

BYB. FRANK RUSSELL.
'.Mother, Just hear thisv exclaimed Miss
Bella Hadleyas she held up the morning
paper she had been intently reading for the
last fifteen minutes; sits perfectly shock
ing, so it isl"
"Why Bellar' languidly replied her
mother, 81 how remarkably loud you do
speak. l really hope you will refrain from
reading the painful paragraph you refer to,
for am sure it must be something quite an
noying; and my delicate nerves can not
Withstand Shock and she pressed the
smelling salts she held in her white and
ieweled hands to her nosrrils, and leaned
back in her easy chair.
.'But, mother, it's about the Leonards,
and I'm sure it will interest you"
"Well, then, my dear, please read it"
said the lady, with a show Of some interest: :
''but do not speak SO loudly
Thus permitted, Bella read:
1--WE are sorry to announce, this morning
the failure of another Of our mercantile hou-
ses. The firm of Leonard Il Shaw have sus-
pended, and rumor says that both members
Of the firm are completely ruined. The cause
Of this unexpected event is the loss Of the
steamer Eagle, with a valuable cargo, lately
purchased for the house in London"
"How fortunate! p exclaimed the mother,
as Bella finished reading
"Why mamma how can you say SO p
answered the daughter reprovingly. II am
sure am sorry; and. besides, Robert is
going to marry Lizzie Leonard, you know,
mother"
"You mean he mas," corrected Mrs. Had
ley, rising "but Of course this evcnt-which
1 only called fortunate in happening at such
time-wil prevent such proceeding on
bis part.
"But am sure, mother, the fact of Liz
zie becoming poor will make no difference to
brother Robert; and indeed it ought not to
and hope it WON'T
There, just as expected" replied the
mother, land the very cause of my first re-
mark; hope, however, your brother will
have more sense than you, after the turn af-
fairs have taken"
''But, mamma, am going over to Mr..
Leonard's to see how poor Lizzie feels" re-
marked Bella, starting to leave the room.
"Reman p commanded the mother. 81
forbid you visiting at Mr.. Leonard's again.
You forget that they will no longer move in
our circle. Bring me the writing desk; I will
at once dispatch letter to Germany to your
brother"
Bella turned, with poor grace, to obey
her mothers command, while that lady
leaned her head upon her hand, for few
moments in thought. She knew that if her
son, who was at this time travelling in Eu-
rope, was to be informed Of the misfortune
that had overtaken the family to which he
was so tenderly attached, he would hasten
home, and probably at once consummate the
intended marriage, even though he found
the bride penniless Mrs. Hadley was am
bilious, and determined to break ur the an
ticipated match-a match, by the way; that
she had sanctioned so long as Lizzie Leonard
was the expected heiress of the wealth her
father was believed to possess--and her
knowledge of her sons character assured her
that by stratagem only could she accom-
plish the desired result, and her resolve
was at once taken
Bella brought the writing desk and Mrs.
Hadley was soon engaged in writing the fol-
lowing letter
my DEAR Son: Your announcement of
an early return home would have filled us
all with much pleasure had not an event oc-
CURED to make it seem prudent, in my mind
for you to extend your travels somewhat
longer.
Of have long been aware of the relations
existing between yourself and Miss Leonard
and have noticed the deception practiced up-
on you by that lady. I doubt if she ever
cherished any strong affection for you. lfso
there has been very great change. and be-
fore you ever see her again she will proba-
bly,, be married to another. Under these
circumstances deem it best that you pro
long your absence at eastanother year, and
spare yourself the pain of meeting Miss
Leonard and ere then I hope you will have
gotten over this unfortunate attachment.
"Your sister sends her love, to which is
Joined that of your efectionate
"MoTHER."
..There J" exclaimed the lady to herself
as she folded the letter, II think that pref
tv cleverly done. Indeed she has practlced
deception, in leading him to suppose her
father had money, when, have no doubt,
the artful thing knew he was on the verge
of ruin; and as for a change, there has been
one, though different from what he will
think and if 1 can succeed in keeping him
away, she will probably be married to some
one on her own level before his return; pref
ty cleverly done, I think" And she folded
the letter and directed it in as steady hand
as though she was not ruthlessly crushing
the hopes of two young hearts.
This letter was dispatched, and received
by the young man just as he was on the e
point Of starting for home. He read 1t
through and was completely stunned by the
intelligence it contained. .-e
On the morning succeeding the CONVEX
sation between the mother and daughter,
detailed above, Miss Leonard called at the
residence of the Hadlcys to communicate