Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1869-04-16
SELECTED STORY
THE FAIR MENDICANT.
BY F. II. sTAUFFER.

d L. IL. RA0oGcAN
Paul Ventnor was the curate of Blades
burg, with wisdom in his head and tender
ness in his heart, but ever with precious lit
tie money in his pocket.
One fine June morning, as he was COM
ing around the porters lodge of Foley Hall,
he heard sweet, plaintive voice, say:
'For the love Of God, he lip me I am
starving p
He raised his head, quite startled out of
his equanimity. On the steps sat young
woman. Her cheeks were tear stained, and
her head and shoulders were enveloped in a
shawl. That she was suffering was evident
yet she wore neither the air nor the dress of
an ordinary mendicant.
He stopped and regarded her for mo-
ment, then dropped coin into her out
stretched palm. She did not close her hand;
she did not look up at him to see if he was
young or old, or down at the coin, to note its
value.
"Tbank you," she murmured, never rails
ing the dark eye-lashes from the wet cheeks
Il can keep body and soul little longer
together with that. And then !? Why lean
beg again, even if it kills me- O kind sir,
it is work that want; steady, daily work,
i'll paid though it be. anything rather than
to beg"
Thoughtfully the young curate stood,
with one hand holding his hat and the other
thrust into his pocket. Then his eyes fell
upon the white, full, 6nely-rcunded arm
next upon the sweet, sad, oval face.
"You seem to be stranger here 2" he
said.
II am: walked over from Shedstone !"
"Walked over? Not in day 7"
'No-nor in ten of them, sir. [ have
worked little here, and begged little
there, and starved between the times" re-
piled the young woman, adding to the voice
that was as sweet and low, a little hysteri-
cal laugh that made him shudder.
'sWhere are you going?" he asked.
"Where?' | do not know, sir. Any
where I wouldn't be made to do it, and
so ran away. No. would have died
first p
She said that with vehcmence ; it was not
clear what she meant, but she seemed SC
much lady, and Paul was so invariably
polite, that he RETAINED from asking an ex-
PLANTATION
"What kind of employment do you seek?'
was his next question.
Something for willing heart and hands
to do, sir. Teaching would suit me best,
but it's not for me to state my preferences.
During all this time she had not raised
her eyes to his face. Was it from humility
or shame? He was not one easily deceived
only he wanted fair scrutiny of her face
and eyes.
II am the curate of Bladesburg," be said
"My name is Paul Ventnor. This is TIE
lodge at Foley Hail. If you enter 1t with
me I will get you temporary home at least
Gomez
She rose to her feet; then, clevating hel
head, she fixed her eyes full upon him =
They were such great, trusting brown eyes
that they set his nerves a tingling. As
they held his own, they deepened in inten-
sity, and more and more Of the childish
sweetness came into her face. The curate
felt that he could trust her, he also felt some,
what embarrassed, which made him feel vex.
ed himself,
"You have not told me your name" he
said.
sNor have l." she replied, the color ii
her cheeks deepening. Then, with the least
perceptible hesitancy, she added !:
'.My name is GRACE Templeton.''
Paul Ventnor thought it 'wasa very pref
ty name, but did lot say SO. He seized the
knocker at the door and gave a vigorous
peal. A servant answered it, and the two
soon stood in the presence of the Lady O
Foley Hall. She esteemed the young curatt
highly, and placed proper appreciation up
on his character and talents: A word iron
him in Grace's behalf would have been suit
Gent, even had she not possessed any per
sonal and mental charms of her own.
The result of the interview was that SHIT
was at once accepted at Foley Hall not a
a mental, but as companion to my Lady
who was a widow and an invalid. Grac
was refined, affable and scholarly; and ne
natural vivacity soon returning to her, NJ
one could have been more companlonable e.
one who was disposed to be taoitnrp aae
gloomy.
Six months passed away, and during 'na
time Paul Ventnor visited Foley Hall NOR
frequently than there was absolute occasion
for, and he was not long unconscious OF tn
motives that took hln thither. Day by "a
Grace grew more lovely to his eyes and NOR
,, dear to his heart. She attended his mlnls'
, ry with rare constancy, and his sermon
seemed dull and soundless to himself Whe
she was not in her pew with her great, brow
eyes fixed upon his face. He was despel
ately in love with her, but made no declare
! ton, The living at Bladcsburg was onl
worth FIVE hundred pounds per annnm' an
, he could not think Of marrying upon ina
At the end of the six months servant
e livery appeared at Foley Hall. -,
81 have letter for Lady Templeton'
said
"For whom ?" asked my lady, with
s stare,
sFor the earPs daughter-for my lady
Templeton Place"
The madam took the letter. with its gre