Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1869-03-26

her conscience and her nOnOr tell ner 10 re-
sign It, of course [ take it if not, let her
rest assured | shall never disturb her in its
possession was surprised; very few men
in his position would say as much, assure
you"
"He is very kind" said Miss Evelyn,
slowly and winter than marble. "and very
generous. Tell George Thorne--tell Mr..
Thorne, that my conscience and my honor
command me to resign his fortune without a
moments delay. 1t is his from this hour"
s'But, my dear Miss Evelyn, hear me
There may be compromise, half, quar-
ter of it may Re retained. 1t is too much
for you to resign what has been yours SO long,
like this. D
''Not one whit too much There can be
no compromise. would not take a dollar
of it, hardly to save me from starving. tits
his, not mine. Do you tink [ could accept
the charity of stranger? You ought to
know me better, Mr.. Underhill..
Mr.. Underhill bowed He did not I'M
derstand this sort of thing himself It was
not in his line But he did understand the
flashing of those blue eyes, the ringing of
that proud voice. He had seen both before,
and knew that the laws of Draco were moth
ing to the fiat of Miss Evelyn.
II shall depart to-day" she said, rising,
with certain queenliness of bearing that
always overawed ordinary mortals 'sMr.
Thorne can take possession of his house and
fortune at once. Good day, Mr.. Under
hill. .=.s.-. -,.5fs .ss
The smile that accompanied the little
white hand was very sweet and gracious,
but the lawyer did not dare to question her
She was gone a moment after, and was up
in her boudoir once more, looking out at the
slanting rain, and gloomy sky, with some
thing altogether new to think about I:
Miss Constance Evelyn disappeared very
suddenly from that brilliant society Of which
she had been one of the most brilliant stars
1t was nine days wonder, this romantic
whirl Of fortune !; and society was on the qui
viue to catch glimpse Of Mr.. George Thorne
and make hero of him; but Mr.. Thorne
fought shy Of society, and didn't show. They
wondered-her dear five hundred friends.
what had become of her, poor thing and
went on dressing and dining, and party
giving, and presently forgot she had ever
existed
And all the men who had loved her, Or
told her so, which is the same thing-where
were they now? One only. simple hearted
young millionaire of twenty-o whom the
world had not yet quite spoiled, anG who
viewed in fear and trembling the naughty
belle, wrote her an offer of his hand and
heart. Young Mr.. Millionaire got an an
swer by return of post---vcry civil, but very
cold; Miss Evel yn was much obliged to
him, but begged to decline
Miss Evelyn was residing with widow
lady somewhere in Edcnsburg. Miss Evelyn
had advertised for music pupils on such rea-
sonable terms that she had got some, and in
a few weeks had her hands full, and was
kept on the treadmill from morning till night
She and that heartless society, with which
she had found SO much fault, were never
likely to trouble each other again She
could have borne that---she could have borne
the falling off Of ''summer friends without
one pang; but she could not bear that s'he''
should be so utterly heartless It was Mr..
Chillingham, who was handsome, and an
author, and with whom she had been in love
for the past six months, in spite of herself
She had not wanted to love him---she had
fought like a heroine against it---but, ah !!
who could resist the seductive eloquence of
those deep, dark eyes, the persuasive sweet
ness of that earnest voice? He was so diff
ferent from other men-so noble, so gifted
so perfect In his splendid manhood THAT she
could as soon have stopped the beating of
her heart as stopped its beating for him. -
And she had thought he had loved her--had
he not given her every reason to think 50,
except the three, poor words, 81 love you?'
And now---and now
Miss Evelyn never complained
shirked her dutiesfought the battle of life
bravely, and wore away to shadow. No
weather kept her in doors, no cold confined
her to her bed-she went on and gave her
lessons. and drudged and drudged, week af-
ter week, until the good widows heart ached
to see her. 9al, 7ly 4E
g You're killing yourself, that's what
you're doing" she said to her; ''look at
your feet, soaking wet-and you with that
cold Why don't you let your pupils wait
when the weatber's not fit for stray dog to
be OUT You'll be in your grave in six
months"
Miss Evelyn laughed mirthless sort Of
laugh enough.
II don't know that would be much loss to
the world, Mrs. Norris. But you really fret
yourself about me for nothing. You don't
know how strong I am. Nothing hurts me. D
1t was a week after this, that coming to
the house Of one Of her wealthest patrons
Miss Evelyn found company in the parlor,
a gentleman talking to her pupil. The pu-
the gentleman, Mr.. Chillingham. It was
another wet morning, and the music teach
er's garments were dripping.
"Really, Miss Evelyn, I hardly expected
you in this shower" the young lady said,
not over graciously. II am enga grid this
morning and don't think that [ shall take
my lessons
"Pray don't let ME prevent you," said
Mr.. Chillingham. 'Miss Evelyn and are
old friends, and [ am more than happy to
meet her again.
He extended his hand; she just touched it.
Her fingers like ice-her hand cold and still
as marble-told no tales. She could almost
forgive him his sudden appearance, remem-
bering that Mr.. Chilling CHAM remained all
through the lesson, sitting in a distant cor
ner holding book, and furtively watching
the music teacher. It might have touched
any heart that had cared for her-thc bag
gard change in the once beautiful face. But
the book made shield for Mr. Chillingham
and, besides, there was no one there to see
Afterthat, Miss vdyn met Mr. Chilling
ham very often At the:h house Of her pretty
pupil: But theold intimacy was not renewed.
Miss Evelyn was like fint-colder to him
than any stone. She listened, if he would
persist in talking to her, and answered in
monosyllabes. She declined haughtily and