Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1871-11-24

, The man expressed his knowledge Of tt
flowers having reached the one for who
they were intended. by going to work u
loading bis cart, and taking them into Il
hall
Just then Mrs. Fulton came in from
walk. Mary stopped, admiring the flowers
then followed her into the sitting room, an
wondered anew who could have sent th
beautiful present.
''Shall the man place them in the VIII
dows, he says, Miss Maryw the servar
asked
''Thank him, and say, if he has the tim
to spare" Mary answered.
Immediately after the man began to brin
in and arrange the plants.
ly you did not get through your shopping !!
Mary said, removing her mothers wrapping
and gently seating her in rocker.
Eyes, love, I came back much soone
than I expected. to bring you disappoint
meut, fear, as well as making you Yer.
busy to.day. When I reached your father
Office, found there an old friend and school
J fellow of his. I thought papa's eyes wer'
asking, as plain as could be, for me to in
vite him to dine with us to-day, and 30
did and the gentleman readily accepted my
invitation When [ was coming away
papa followed NE to the door, and said bt
was so glad had asked his friend to oul
home. And I hurried back to set you
hard to work-never rejecting, until few
moments since, that you had an engagement
for the afternoon" answered Mrs Fulton
edo rot worry about my engagement
| am glad to stay home and be busy, tc
make dear papa happy. can send note
of excuse to my friend, and then to work
Mamma, we will have dinner papa will be
proud OFF,
Just then came bang, crash! Mary
turned quickly to see, lying on the carpet
the fragments of pot, and near by the
scattered dirt, some still clinging to the
roots Of rare rose in full bloom.
Mary might well have been excused if
she had gotten a little out of temper. But
she did not. The shade of regret which
gathered for an instant on her face quickly
passed away, and wuen the man picked up
the rose. and began to mutter some excuse
or apology, Mary said
''Never mind. | hope the rose is not in.
jured much and ii it is, must not grum-
bic about the accident, for I am still very
rich in the possession Of SO many beautiful
ones'
The last flower was placed in the window ;
and as the door closed on the man, Mary
said:
Poor fellow, really pitied him He is
SO awkward, and seemed either SO frighten-
ed or bashful he could not raise his syes."
x x x 4 !. i:
"Well. Frank, my boy, the time has ex-
PRED. Am I to hunt fitting bridal pres :
ent for your chosen one? I've been anxious
ly expecting to hear from you for several
days past. shall be true to my word -
Am | to give my consent to, and blessing
on your union with Miss Courtney ?"
"No, sir"
''No. sir Why not p
Because I've asked Mary Fulton to be
my wife"
"What! Indeed Hurra Oh, Frank
you are all right how. How happy we
shall all be! But tell me how you SO sud-
denly recovered both sight and senses. I
had not expected my little plan to accom- :
plish SO sudden cure" said Uncle Phil.
c)asping Franks hand, and shaking it
warmly.
ooh, uncle, spare me recitation from
the first peep behind the scenes. Sufficient
to say, thank you for saving me from "a
leap in the dark" said Frank, with grave
face.
"Ah, I see. The lovely belle did not
care to be so charming to the awkward, red
headed cartman, as to the very eligible
Frank Osborn" said Uncle Phil, with a
knowing smile "But cannot let you off
from some little hints about your second
call and peep at the little 'home.spun
girl"
sDon't uncle, please, ever say that again.
] am ashamed of myself ever to have been
SO foolish. Well, the red-headed awk ward
cartman found Mary Fulten more charming
and lovely in every way than ever Frank
Osborn had dreamed more beautiful in her
morning dress than in evening toilet-in-
dustrious, gentle, amiable, considerate -
And SO grew more desperately in love
than ever. and learned to adopt completely
your idea, that sonly good daughter will
make good wife,"
"But do you think she can preside with
ease, grace and dignity at your entertain
ments?7 Uncle Phil asked dryly.
.'Another thrust, uncle Well, deserve
it. I know she will l went in that very
evening after my call and found her enter
tanning her fathers friends. do not fear
but SO good and lovely a girl will be all
wish. felt like picking her up and run
ming off with her that morning, when, after
| smashed up her best flower, she was 81
pleasant about it. Bless her dear littl'
heart There is no reception hours or com
pany behavior with her." Frank said, BIZ
face glowing with happiness
Isabel never ceased watching and waiting
for Franks return to her side, until she say
his marriage announced (; and then sh
could never imagine what it was that mad
her lose him. If she could have imagine
| that awkward cartman was the exquisit
Frank, the mystery would have been solv
ed,
Many times, during the days Of thei
conr'ship, Mary would ask Frank why h
came not for those long months to see hel
And when he answered by telling of tn
pressure of business, of course she didn
believe him, but continued to tease him
tell her until the day before their unor
when, suppose, thinking is better to begi
welded life with clear conscience, he tol
her of Uncle Phips ruse,
| Douhly dear the old man became afte
that And when, year after, baby be
rested in Mary's arms. she called him lit