Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1869-03-12
SELECTED STORY
A FORTUNATE RUIN.
CHAPTER L.

George Benton sat in his room in his no.
tel He was young man Of twenty-six,
tall and slender, with a face of extraordinary
intellectual beauty. He was dressed in costly
garments, though his toilette was but indif-
ferently performed. He was an orphan and
for some time had lived at a hotel. It re-
quired but single glance into his pale fea-
lures to tell that he was an invalid He sat
with his head resting upon his hands, and
his whole form tremblcd as though with
some powerful emotion.
AS the youth sat thus, the door opened
and an elderly gentleman entered.
'.tAh, doctor, you are moving early this
morning." said Benton, as he languidly rose
from his seat and extended his hand
"Oh, not early for me, George" returned
DR.. Melville, with a bright smile II am
an early bird" -
''Well, you have caught the worm this
time"
''Ihope it will prove valuable one"
II don't know" sighed the youth. II
fear thousand worms will inhabit this poor
body ere long"
Nonsense, you are worth half century
yet" cried the doctor, giving him gentle
slap on the shoulder "But tell me George
how is it with Rowland 2"
"Just as told you. All is gone"
II don't understand it, George"
"Neither do I" said the young man, sor-
rowfully. ''That Charles Rowland could
have done that thing. I could not have be-
lieved. Why, had an angel appeared to me
two weeks ago and told me that Rowland
was not trustworthy. I would not have given
a moments attention to it, But olly think,
when my father died, he selected for my
guardian his best friend, and snch even
now believe Charles Rowland was, and in
his hands he placed his wealth, and for him
to keep until | was Of age And when I
arrived at that period of life left my money
where it was-I had no use for it. Several
times within three or four years has Rowland
asked me to take my money and invest it
and [ would not. I told him to keep it and
use it if he wished. only asked that when
[ wanted money, he would honor my de-
mand. | felt more safe, in fact than I could
have felt had my money been in bank of
deposit"
"How much money had he when he left"
"How much of mine ?"
eyes"
''He should have had over an hundred
thousand dollars"
"What do you mean to do?'
"Ah, you have me on the hip there"
"And yet you must do something, George.
Heaven knows I would keep you if I could.
IShall claim the privilege of paying your
debts, however"
"No, no, doctor, none of that"
''But [ tell you shall. shall pay your
debts but beyond that can only help you to
assist yourself. What do you say to going
to sea %
A faint smile swept over the youths pale
features at this remark
Il should make smart hand at sea-
Doctor, can hardly keep my legs on shore.
No, mol must. -=''
'Must what?
"Ah, [ know not I shall die-that is
ALL"
Nonsense, George say go to sea-
You couldn't 60 into a store, and you would
not, if yoR could. Yon do not wish to re-
main here amid the scenes Of your happier
days. Think Of it; at sea you will be free
from all contact with things you loathe.
Think of it.
George Benton started to his feet, and
paced the floor for some minutes. When he
stopped new life seened already at york
within him.
eff went to sea, what could do?"
"You understand all the laws of foreign
trade"
Yes. You know / had a thorough
schooling at that in my fathers counting
house." 80.
"Then you can obtain the berth of SUI
cargo"
Are you sure I can get one ~
eyes"
''Well, then, DR.. Melville, it's settled. I
will go.'}
* * x
George Bonton walked one evening to the
house of wealthy merchant, Andrew Will
ton, residing on Washington street It was
palatial dwelling, and many hopeful hap
py hour had he spent beneath its roof He
rang the bell and was admitted to the parlor.
In few minutes Mary Wilton entered
She was very beautiful, and was only TWEEN
ty She had been waiting until that age to
be George Bonton's wife.
Some words were spoken many moments
of painful! silence ensued.
fsMarY, YOU know all | am going from
my native land u beggar. I cannot stay long
now. Mary, did I know you less than I do,
I should give back your promise and free you
from your engagement. But I believe l
should trample upon your heart did [ do that
now. 7 know yoNr loFe is too pure re-, and aeeP
to be torn from your BOSOM at vii g !
say wait-wait! There are other feelings
in the human heart besides love. That love
is poor, proftless passion, which puts ASIDE
all other considerations. We must love Tor
eternity, and SO our love must be 1fee.
Wait I am going to work---aye, upon the
sea to work"
''But why upon the sea? Why away
where my poor heart must ever beat IN an Z