Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1870-03-25
go for her, said Mrs. Fl.
For Miss Dove

abomination. An affected, conceited, alb.
surd set Of creatures. / never had anything
to do with 'em, and I never will. No doub,
she's capable Of finding her way here. They
all appear to be. I shan't 90 for her p
Mrs. H. retreated.
"What will she think of us?" said she
sobbing.
Don't cry," said Bachelor Brown, ''IT
see if any Of the hands over at Oats. place
can drive over for her.
And out he went; but all the hands on
Oats place were busy at the hay, which
stood in danger of a coming shower. Rich
ard returned without the least success.
GA shower, too" said Rose. "Poor
my cousin"
And in the study she spent an hour. teas
ing and worrying, without affect.
''Let her get loose" said Bachelor Brown;
'no doubt she'd like it. And as for her
trunk, why can't girls travel with a port
manteau as we do I?
And Rose departed, pouting. She found
Adelaide in an extremely merry mood.
Don't laugh" she said "think Of poor
Amanda !"
II am thinking of her" said Adelaide.
land Cousin Dick shall 60. TIL tell a 6b."
''For shame" said Rose.
Zone ought to make some sacrifice for a
friend" said Adelaide I'll tell him she's
a child. He's always good to children.
.'It will never do" said Mrs. Hinkle,
''he'M never forgive you"
Pvt AJo1o.1o r,, ~ 10 ho. ooy,,n', ,4,,du
and burst in with an exceedingly theatrical
laugh.
"What q mistake !" she said, land so
stupid of them all. You think Amanda is
a grown lady, don't youw
SAINT she :? he asked
cas- if a little girl of nine years could
BE- w said Adelaide. "Poor little thing !"
"Poor little thing, indeed! !" hurryiny on
his coat and hat. "Bless me why didn't
you mention it! Poor little soul!w
And in a few moments the light wagon
was driven down the road, and the Hinkles
stood looking after it.
ssTm half frightened" said Rose.
$50 am T." said Adelaide. sBut it is
done, and can't be helped now I'll manage
to coax him to forgive me, and it would not
do to leave a friend in such a p%ositisn, you
know and I didn't say she was a child.'
Meanwhile Bachelor Brown drove to the
station. It was a long drive, over a bad
road. but he kept on his way very cheerful
ly. He was extremely fond Of children.
When, on reaching the station, he saw
no sign of her presence, he grew alarmed.
If she had been lost through his neglect, he
would never forgive himself. He ran his
fingers through his curly hair and peeped
into the ladies' waiting-room. Only q fine
full-grown young woman sat there, and he
retreated. The woman who waited in the
apartment came out Of her nook with a
courtesy, as she saw him, and he addressed !:
"Have you seen a little girl waiting for
some one 2"
"Sir," said the woman. There we're two
came down, but they are gone.
"Oh, dear-oh, dearW said Bachelor
Brown. II hope there is no mistake. It's
little Miss Dove, and if the dear little soul
has gone astray Pm entirely to blame
Please to make inquiries, there's a good
woman"
AS he uttered these words the full-grown
young lady in the waiting room was seen to
blush violently and to rise.
Pm Amanda Dove she said and I ex-
pect some one from Mr.. HIS
Bachelor Brown stood aghast! He had
spoken of this lady as a dear little thing
His face also turned scarlet.
I beg your pardon, ma'am,' be began;
I expected to find a little girl wouldn't
have used such expressions for the world
I comprehend said the young lady ;
don't mind it in the least L
is this your trunk, Miss 2 asked Bache-
lor Brown in a hurry.
Yes, SIR said the lady looking down.
In a few momentst the two were driving
toward the Hinkle's country seat. Never
had Bachelor Brown found himself so close
to any young lady, save his cousins, before.
He was wofully confused, but somehow he
liked it. How pretty she is, he thought
How pink and white how golden her hair
was, how the blue ribbons of her bonnet set
it off. Wondering thus, he forgot the road,
and suddenly found that he had lost himself.
To add to the dilemma the storm which had
been threatening for hours burst at the very
moment when Bachelor Brown found it I'M,
possible to tell whether the left road or the
right road led homeward and the horses
were afraid Of lightning, and grew FESTIVE.
Amanda Dove was afraid Of lightning also.
She gave a little scream, and chung to Bach
elor Browns coat sleeve.
Bachelor Brown looked down at her. 1t
was such a soft, plump hand. Her eyes were
so round. and so blue in their terror that he
forgot she was a young lady.
'ITl take care of you,' he said a fash Of
lightning, a roar of thunder, and an attempt
on the part of the horses to run away inter-
rupted him.
Miss Dove turned pale. Bachelor Brown
look terrified. He cast a glance about him.
Near the read was a parsonage, connected
with its church by a garden.
"PI tell you what we will do" said he
1--WE will ask for shelter until the storm is
over. A clergyman ought to be Christian
enough to take us in"
And driving to the gate. he assisted
Miss Dove to alight. As he did SO two
hired men rushed out and began attending
to the horse and vehicle, and an old lady
and gentleman appeared upon the steps.
$50 glad you're in time to escape the
worst of the storm" said the gentleman.
"Do come in" said the old lady. 1--WE
were expecting you-for on such occasions
people always keep their appointments, rain
or shine, | believe"
what on earth does she mean 2" said
the bachelor. but it is kind of them"
And so while the old lady hurried Miss
Dove away to dry her things, he sat with
the old clergyman in the parlor.
"Do you feel at all nervous, sir" said