Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1871-10-06

men. Never before nad harry TeailAeu
how deeply he had loved the beautiful girl.
nor how large a space she occupied in his
bright hopes of the future. Fully assured
that she was lost to him forever, he turned
away to a window and leaned his head upon
his hands. He did not wish to remain long
er with the party. He thought it best for
him to plead illness to his hostess, and go
to his home He knew full we'll that he
could not appear himself under such a
cloud.
He was rejecting thus when he felt light
touch upon his arm, and on turning be be-
held Mile Day. She was gazing wistfully
up into bis face, and there was wonderous
sparkle in her clear azure eye.
Harry, I want to speak with you. Will
you come with pe y
Without venturing to answer in words,
be followed her. She led the way to small
conservatory, where they stood by an clean
der in full bloom A brief pause, and an
evident struggle, aud then Mile looked up
and spoke. Her face was radiant, and the
sparkle of her eyes had deepened to feryid
glow ,i,s.., af 5r.
Harry, I have difficult task to perform;
butt have prayed for strength, and think
the strength has come to me. Pardon me
if am brief I seek your counsel. You
know that have lately Inherited a large
fortune H.; sf4 4ss
Eyes, 4 know" said Harry, in gasp
ing whisper.
'TfsAnd already" she pursued, ''that for
tune begins to Cypress me. Mr.. Corydon
holds it in charge for me, and he will do
with it Just as I say. It stands between
me and very dear friend-a friend whose
love prize above all the wealth of the
world-and have called you here Harry,
to ask you if shall give my fortune up"
Mile IL do not understand" a
Thrice she tried to speak. and her words
failed her. At length she caught her lover
by the hand, aud her speech burst forth:
Harry, do you know that old Peter
Phipps is one of the best and truest friends:
He was clerk in my fathers store It was
my father who saved him from prison, and
who lifted him up from the dreadful slough
of intemperance, and it was my father who
recommended him to his present position,
where be has been so many years. | was
but little child then, and Peter used to toss
me in his hands. But the dear old fellow
has not forgotten me- He is never afraid
to call upon me, for he knows that my heart
is warm and sympathizing toward him. He
came to me, Harry, and told me of the con-
versation between yourself and Jasper
Groome, when Jasper came and told you of
my fortune. He told me all you said, Har-
ry-all ALI, and then I knew how trnly
you loved mellow noble you were-and
how blessed must be the woman who could
secure such heart, and Ito, Harry !!
the fortune has put this upon me- Say that
you do not blame Inc !"
Harry did not try to speak He only
caught the blessed being to his bosom, and
held her there long. long time held her
there, with her head pillowed upon his
shoulder he could find words for ut
| terance.
And so the fortune did not sever those
two pure and loving hearts, after all. It
became secondary thing in their lives !;
and while they found their chiefest good in
the cultivation Of those joys that sprang
from the old true love, their friends every
where-thase in prosperity and those in ad-
yersity-shared with them in the blessings
Of the fortune which Uncle Snyder had left
And we may add, that of all who gained
sunshine from Miles fortune, not one had
more reason to be grateful than had good
old Peter Pkipps. --...