Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1869-09-03
number, was still the pleasantest voice in the

came in :; some one whose step she knew 81
we'll. Scott Goldrick had come back for his
books and slate. But she did not lift hei
head. He stood before her presently with
the books on his arm and his hat in hand.
~ am going away, Miss Burnett, to stay
Will you bid me goodbye"
Still she did not look up or speak He
persisted, gently.
Have I offended you beyond all hope Of
She gave him her hand at that.
II emo, but"
''But you are sick, Miss Burnett" he said
as he saw her face plainly "You are really
sick What can do for you?"
She tried to smile.
sit is only a headache have had it all
day-and touch of fever with it. perAaps
nothing more"
"You have been sick all day. and | have
been aggravating the life out Of you," be
said remorsefully, in. his earnestness down on
one knee beside her chair, with half bold
half shy grace, II have made you trouble
constantly, not to-day only, but ever since
you came here to teach. What brute you
must think me! 1t was unmanly and cow
ardly to act as I did No, you must let me
make full confession now,' kissing the hand
she laid over his mouth to stop him. "But,
Miss Burnett, you are very ILL, seriously
alarmed now at the sight of her white face
and closed eyes for the self-control main
tanned by main force all day, and up to this
moment, had given away suddenly, and
weaker than child she sat there. her breath
coming in little short gasps ~ i-sf 24iE4
Unused to woman's moods and "ways,"
he was at loss what to do. He had an idea,
though, that when lady tainted, cold water
was the thing, so he sprinkled her face with
the cup standing on the table within reach
of his hand, and, manlike, he drew her head
down upon his shoulder. gaa % asaos -
She was not altogether unconscious, for
she made weak movement to withdraw her
self from his arm, but he whispered, Crust
me and lie still, will you not, till you are
better p conscious the while of an odd,
pleasant thrill at his heart, as her face lay so
near his own that he could have touched it
with his lips, -. * $50 aga
If he had been dozen years older, he
would most likely have yielded to the temp
tation and kissed the roses back to her checks,
but there was just the least bit Of boyish
timidity yet about him and besides he could
not forget that he had been the cause Of this
very illness, and his heart smote him regret
fully every time he looked at her. =. H., 5
She sent him away by and-by-as soon
as she was able to sit up without support.
She would not let him 60 home with her,
either, though he begged her to let him do
So; she would do better by herself she said.
But seeing the troubled look in his eyes as
he turned away, she relented so far as to
say i'e3 1as
II trust we part friends"
He came back to her at this. saying ear
nestly:
"Can you be my friend after what you
have known ofme for the past two months?''
II can bel am sincerely your friend"
''Thank you for that. Knowing it, l
shall not carry such sorely troubled con-
science away with me-" p = i1ss.a 81 ~
All he never guessed that, instead Of a
troubled conscience, he was carrying Olive
Burnett's heart away with him.
It was seven years before they looked upon
each others faces again. Such long, long
interval. Those seven years had changed
Scott Goldrick into successful business man
steadily amassing his thousands, and alive to
the brilliant, courted young widow, Mrs
Logan. e g.. g..
She had grown heart-sick Of teaching, and
one day in desperate mood gave it up and
married Paul Logan, the rich land owner.
Scott Goldrick, hearing Of it in the distant
city where he was living, said, 'tSuch a pity
She was one woman of thousand, and de-
served better man than that ?"
Well, Paul Logan was a better man than
Scott Goldrick's words would seem to i'm
ply; and, better still, his gold brought all
comforts to the helpless mother until she
died, and home and all the advantages Of
wealth to the little sisters. And now he,
husband two years in his grave, Mrs, Logan
went freely into society again.
"Such lovely woman" men always sale
when speaking Of her. And Scott Goldricl
endorsed the verdict when he met her at {
reception one evening, and the hostess, sup
posing them to be unacquainted, presented
him. I{a 13ia>ts 'f'e -A-'s 43
It was the Olive Burnett of seven years
ago who smiled up at him, as she said to Mrs
Lake., 'Mr. Goldrick and I are very oil
friends" ta'a4.. i1. 5'9 III ~ tpa'1'l
-"You remember ple then" he said, as h
led her away. sE9 h' .'9'eii't
II never forgt," was the sweetly, gravet
reply a9ziEia 81 q .sfH i'.'i'i '
But somehow, even with this Aatterin2
beginning, they did not seem to make muci
progress in the renewal of their old acquain
tapceship. Meeting often as they did, q
party and ball receptions, at concert ant
theatre and opera, there was always an I'm
defnable something, q distance betWee,
them; and it was quite at the close Of tn
winter that calling one morning on Mrs. Lo
gan, to make his adieu before leaving town
! Scott Goldrick fingered moment, as Ii
| bowed oyer her hand at parting to say, hal
jestingly, but yet in earnest too: = is' Pas,
-"Do you remember the old school house ?
| eyes, remember. lam going out Their
on purpose to see it this coming summer,
nA nd , TO- Who VII. X knows but what y
It was in the midst Of the August heat
that Mrs, Logan, paying flying visit t
Rye-feld, procured the key Of the old school
house-empty now for the summer vacation
-,and walked down there alone one after
noon to look at it. .,sqea5s. a5lg saa ..i.i
The door swung rustily upon its hinge
as she entered and looked curiously about
It was not the cleanest place in the world
for coat Of dpst, raised BY the last sweep
ing, had settled over everything but tn
rough coated walls looked as familiar as ey
er, and the glazed maps hanging there, an
the implanted wooden benches. m It was j
that corner that Scott Goldrick used to s.
and remembering, tide of recollection
rushed. over her and she sat down in .th