Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1870-01-28
sELECTED sroRY.
The UNEXPECTED RIVAL.
BY KATE CLAIR.

III OiSEAI EAlLO I11HAks
-a BY KATE CLAIR. aft ss, 2
Brightly glowed the fire in the polished
CRATE, and brilliantly flashed the light
from a dozen gas jets. throwing, through
the crimson curtained windows, a rich glow
upon the snow-covered pavements without /;
speaking to the weary hearted, toil.worn
children of poverty, passing by to their
cherries homes, Of warmth and comfort
and blessing which might never be theirs.
Within that curtained room, where naught
seemed waiting of beauty or luxury, a
young girl stood behind the drapery, gaz-
ing out into the stormy night, and tapping
her little foot impatiently on the floor, while
an, expression Of angry discomfort Swallowed
a face perfect in outline and coloring, mar
ring sadly its otherwise exquisite lowell
ness. 300 ~ f-5 ri e.,- I'LL I'd.
The snow fell thick and fast, and but
few pedestrians were abroad none save
those who were compelled by necessity to
brave the chilling blast and the binding
storm. b III d ra49s
Suddenly, with a gesture Of vexation and
disappointment, she dashed aside the folds
of crimson, and advanced to the freside,
exclaiming: ''5g s'a ~ sas
at is provoking, intolersbly provoking {!
Here I lave been watching for that girl for
one hour, and yet she does not come. What
does she mean by this delay?I shall be
raging, if I am disappointed Of my dress
this night, of all others" ~
"Why, surely, Ella, you are not going
out in this tempest ?" said a noble looking,
silver-haired man, who entered the room
Just in time to catch her last words.
"Indeed but l am, Guardy. DR.. Hun
ter is coming for me to 60 to Mrs, Erls-
toms ball, and [ would not miss it for the
world. lam determined to crown my reign
as belle of the season, by bringing him to
my feet, ifpossible, before another day dawns.
He is the best match in the city. and |
mean to secure him at once. The girls are
all crazy about him, and I long to triumph
over them"
"You speak confidently" said Mr.. Revere,
$50 I4shall expect to be woke up in the small
hours Of the morning with tidings Of your
success"
Turn we now to another home, the abode
Of poverty, where Mary Grey, the young
seamstress, is bending YEARLY over her
work, q richly embroidered dress, whose
silver lilies Of the valley, with richly tinted
blue bells, arc artistically wrought in grace
full patterns on a groundwork Of white silk
1t is the dress for which the beautiful
heiress il. waiting-the dress in which she
!. expects to oaptivate ''the best match in the
, city" -ali'
Very lovely is Mary Grey, though nc
. rose tint blooms on the pure white of hel
complexion-very lovely, though her glo'
, rious eyes, shaded by long silken lashes
are dimmed with watching and tears. Hel
fingers fly nimbly over her task, nearly com
pleted, the payment for which is to bring
ncedful supplies to those who for two days
have i scarcely tasted food-her invalid
mother and her little sister Lucy, who is now
nesting at her feet, crying with hunger
The work is completed at last, and Mary,
drawing the. child fondly to her side, says
soothingly:
"Hush, darling !! hush ! Sister is goipg
now to take home the dress and bring yor
a nice little feast. Twenty-Five dollars
we'll have for this won't we be rich ny
! pet| ."
! Tears filled hers eyes, but she brushed
them hastily away as a %well-known rap ra'
heard, followed by the entrance Of a very
F.. elegant looking man, who, holding out hi
hand to Mary, said pleasantly (: ,
T ri I'M earlier than usual, this evening
but I am obliged to escort a fair lady to
ball at ten o'clock, and thought I would
look on my patient before making my toll
ette." ass +.
"Ah, doctor, how can I thank yoa fol-
q your kindness :" said Mary, raising he
sparkling eyes to bin face, but dropping
t them again instantly as she met the warn
T gaze Of admiration in his, while cnmsol
bushes frightened her fair face into new
beauty. -.
d "Mother is worse, I fear, Doctor saie
Mary. -"She seems quite exhausted thu
evening"
HAS she had proper nourishnent to
;, day
); doctor 2" broke in little Lucy ''aId slste
' and I haven't had anything either hut Or
bread, and we are very hungry |ut slste
is going to get some money to-nlglt."
"Hush Lucy" said Mary, While a PAIN
full look reimbursement fell uPn her be
fore bright conntenance. ''Docpr, excus
her; she talks too fast"
An anxious, inquiring gaze resed on her
aud, in a voice trembling will emotion
Doctor Hunter exclaimed:
MARY, isit indeed SO
She bent her head in assent but after
moment of silence, found voice % say, "
> shall have money tonight"
Giving but a glance at his pa lent, who's
"a emaciated face spoke of suffering and want
even in sleep. he left hastily, and Mary
folding her work, and carefullyPlaclng a
her mothers side the medicine she mlgn
need on waking, at the same tine chargin
n little Lucy to stay by her inher absence
ID started out, in the fierce stcm' 10 carr
Or the dress to the heiresa, who sa' coaang q
y her delay.
M.rr,. father had once been rich, but
crushed by adversely, had iled ana ie'' III
:, family poor, and his widoTan invala:
DR.. Hunter had known aem IN tneir gay
i, t nrosner;tv md on his ieturn home fror
~ continent a month nrkious to our story
b Ia sonabt them ont ad offered his ser
= q Nt.o,,sin an bfHfer gratefully &C