Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1870-11-25

sion, to ask your forgiveness, and crave
boom You know how you came to max
me the offer which you did? Well. having
been brought up to believe myself iudepen
dent of the world, and to study profession
more for pleasure than aught else, afte
finding myself suddenly bereft of all hopes
and poor, l gladly accepted Of your propo
sal [ seorned the idea of love vowed
loved my ease better than any woman or
earth, and though l was informed your
daughter was-was-"
IA scraggy old maid" slyly interposed
Mr.. Lafourn Bart blushed at his own re-
mark, but proceeded:
81 determined. provided she would accept
me, to marry her for your money. There,
sir, is the truth, ard know I cannot but
be lowered in your estimation. Since, I
have met your niece, and Pve-Pve-"
ssFallen in love with her," observed the
'ather. aiding him along.
.'Yes, sir, exactly SO /; and am willing.
if she will have me, to give up all ideas of
wealth obtained by such mean practice. and
go away and work bravely for Fer. Do you
think there is any hope? Will you forgive
me ?"
Certainly" he responded Il should
not want my daughter welded to any man
from such mercenary motives. Til call Nell
and sec what she says And suiting the
action tc The word, he summoned Nellie
s'This gentleman has withdrawn his
claims to your cousins hand" he observed,
taking Nellie by the hand and actually has
the audacity to ask Tor yours. What shall
l tell him %
land I am poor. Nellie" calculated
Bart; shut you shall see am no conceited
jaekanape. I will 60 away and commence
the practice of my profession if you will
give me hope
Nellie looked at her father through her
bushes. vss. a. 81
"But | wonld be penniless BRIDE
''And all dearer! It you aresnot worth
working for, you are not worth having
eff, them she returned, slyly. assyou
wait year and do not change your mind
il uncle is wil'ing-' ne8
(Which he will be- interrupted the gen
tleman.
The ruse was still kept up. Mr.. Lafourn
gave him letters Of introduction to several
influential friends, and he went away and
sst up work in earnest. For while he was
unsuccessful at last his talents began to be
appreciated, and he was Oh fair way to
prosperity. At the end OF the year he wrote
and told Mr.. Lafourn how he had succeed
ed, and asked if he'would have any objec-
lions to his wedding taking place then He
returned, and when he arrived be found his
Nellie prcttier than ever Mr., Lafourn
said nothing, and Bart wondered at his CIV
irg such a costly wedding to his niece; but
when be. as the BRIDES father, gave her
away, he was dumbfounded AS soon as
the ceremony was over he rushed to his
father in-law:
What does it mean p
cit means you have married my daugh
ter, sir, responded the happy parent, 'sand
we have been deceiviug you all the while.
Lucille is my maiden sister p
Bart was paralyzed.
s'Youkdaughter p
And my money, as promised Nellie
and ! heard your conversation and deter
mined to test you We did SO, and Nellie
still insisted on me you being tried,
and-'
''Ycu have taken the conceit out of me"
But though rich he did not leave his pro-
fession and enter into bis careless, idle life
again; he steadily pushed his way up, and
new is one of the most influential men of
the times-which he always AYERS is more
due to Nellic's stratagem than Marrying a
Fortune.