The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1869-07-01
An Idle Word.
BY AMY RANDOLPH.

a'"Never p 80 fs 5efi 'ar S15t 2
Old Jacob Ray Missed out the words be-
tween his teeth, with malicious light in his
dull gray eyes as they rested on the tall
graceful figure Of the girl who was mixing
bread in wooden tray at the old table be-
yond. syea ;sas
"No,' he added, watching with cool, de-
liberate malice the pale oval face, "iny son
shall never be your husband !" i p 45o
Rachel Miners cheek crimsoned s =
a"But he loves me, for all that" she said
passionately. saaf ?" i'2
szs'Love 2 Knocked the old man, in a sheer
ing tone. Glove! An old wife's song-a
tale told long ago Pah! what does it all
amount to Hubert Ray shall never marry a
servant girl !" p s.
gsMr Ray" said Rachel, turning round
short and sharp, "be silent. You have in
suited me far enough-too far. IF I live I
will be revenged on you! For
She checked herscl suddenly, for close to
the door doniram Jenkcs tail figure doomed
up at the same instant. 5s5{I a
sMornin', Farmer Rays said that indiyid-
ual, with a curious glance at the two excited
colloquists. elbow dye do Mss Rachel?
I've come to Sc bout them apples ye wanted
to- take to the village. Uncle ] osh is goin'
down with the OK team carly tomorrow
morning, and he can take 'em, jest's as weh's
not.''go.i S.oyd. = 2 q 1890 7 zslg5 @sffs -.
asCome out to'the starehorse and look, at
'em, said Farmer Ray, rising slowly and
with difficulty from his cushioned armchair.
ndtogether they went out, leaving Rachel
Miner alone.sas Bs d 81 800 y N as,'se7'
She was tall, lovely girl, with jet black
hair, largo eyes full of Southern languor,
and cheeks delieately tinted like newly open
ed peach blossoms. aihasT gs5s a4sl! ] .9'f
Hardly had the two men disappeared than
she shook the -four from herlbeautiful hands
and arms, and began to pace slowly up and
down, the color coming and going on her
cheek, and steadfast light burning in her
dark eyes. 7r9'E ri 8,sA,'5sssE ETaEi @a
s ale does love me, she muttered to her
self, sand L love him No power on earth
can part u.s. when God has sealed the union
Of our hearts; ycthis father dares tostalk Of
separating US because Mary Woodham has
money, and Iehaye none-because her father
lisa Judge, and mine 1 never knew. But
Hubert is not like this strange, saturnine old
mamie evil be frye to PIE through every
thing. Imust strive to do as he would coun-
sell me, were he here-wait and endure ia
such patience as can commando Hial
With long, shuddering sigh she went
back to the old pine table and the moulding
board, murmnrlng to herself; s 9''4 ~
eat all events, I have not long to wait.
lie will be home soon-my Hubertp zs@49
Her voice softened to an accent like the
coo of q dove as she uttered the last few
words, and a tender, dewy light stole into
her eyes. Yes, it vas evident that Rachel
Miner loyed this man, Of whom her thoughts
were full. aa r. a&s saes @ ass7'
s9ssFarmer Ray to home ?"i 81 q: s
The afternoon sun Of the next day was
low in the west, tracing its golden fretwork
on the kitchen floor, when Adoniram Jen-
kes' OK team halted at the door, and that
rustic charioteer hailed Rachel Miner, as
she sat sewing in the shadow Of the. hop
vines that draped the window 9ss 70
si.sNo," said Rachel, quietly, che is net
lhave not seen him all day. @si e'F @ u
'Isn,tshe1up stairsw -s't9s h~'.s Z
"No; he is nowhere about the premises!
He went up 10 Deu as USUAL iaso HiSno, any,
have not seen him since.".a : A'asEt.s;'i. "a
aassThetdicken yoA haven't" quoth honest
Adoniranl. i"Where do you s'pose he is q
at"I have not the least idea. Yon know how
stran &c he is. Perhaps the freak has'seized
him to go away for a day or two, i dare say
heiwill be back in time ssss:i1iA =
s.sYou don't seem much worried. aboutsit
any how" said Adopiram, with q short laugh
sNo,'' said Rachel, quietly, ~ am not ;"
.sgSo Adoniram went away, muttering under
his breath that cit was mighty queer, any
how y sap #sa3 tsit.2a 9sg f -. /. go .
aaaI al'ays was afeard o that stuck up hired
cal g. his i, )" he pondered as be drove shaw
Ing and ssgceing" along. "Too airy for her
place, deal, accordin' to my way Q thlnk-
in lU