Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1871-05-19
SELECTED STORY.
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THE JUDGES DAUGHTER.

My story seems branded into my memory
in letters Of fire. It is no story conjured uE
by the imagination, nor yet one that needs
CLOSING over by fertile pen. All its in.
cidents are real-none exaggerated.
Not many years ago naughty old man,
judge OF iDcorruptible morals, died, leav-
ing behind him two children.
After his death it was found that be had
not been so wealthy as many had imagined,
yet rich enough to leave each daughter a
moderate competence.
| To the eldest sister descended the home.
stead aid sufficient income to keep up
some of their former style the younger
| twenty thousand dollars, invested in an old
and trusty bank.
| From infancy Estelle, the eldest, had
been acquainted with poor but proud spirit
ed 10y. She had watched his Intellectual
struggles for an education such as desired
admiring his uncomfortable ambition, and
as he neared manhood he became her most
ardent lover. a5 -5in@
But the old judge demurred No daugh-
ter of his should encourage the attention of
penniless youth--thei intimacy must
cease @
Obedient as child, she listened to her
fathers commands, and obeyed them impli-
city.
He surrounded her with gay company
he did everything that wealth Or taste could
suggest to win her away from her lover -
But though she uttered no complaint, he
| 4l,A IA
At last he died. lie did not bind her
with any promises. Perhaps in death his
eyes discovered that it needs more than
wealth to bring happiness.
After her bereavement, Rupert Kingsland
came to her again
"Estelle, my love-" he said, passohately
sit may seem wrong to you for me to come
to you, now he is gone, when know how
much he was opposed to me, but, darling
you are in trouble, and I must comfort
you'll"
She did not chide him. She believed
her father must have relented, or else he
would have spoken and forbidden her to re
ceive him after his death She wept anc
sobbed on his bosom like child
"Rupert," she said, ''if you had forsaker
me now. should indeed be desolate.'
''And to leave you ever will kill me-" he
calculated, imretuously. Course my for
tune that [ must forever be debarred from
you!''
Don't speak SO fercely, Rupert, sh'
pleaded ''No one stands between US now.
eyes, poverty stands between us as i
ever did," he replied. 'Never will take
advantage of his decease to step unworthily
where he forbade me- If I ever could OBJ
tain my wish of becoming great and ia
NOUS physician, Estelle, then would b
proud to come to see you Z"
"Where would you 60 to become doc
tor ?" she queried.
Il would study in England, Frat ce ano
Germany" was his eager response. "T'
be commonplace physician would not sat
isfy me. I must be the equal of the mos
eminent"
For momnet she was silent.
RUPERT" she observed, presently, 9Th
way is open for you at last. My money i
left untouched. In no way would its us
given me so much Joy as to know that i
was aiding you to obtain your life's desire
You shall go to England, France and Ger
many. Only return to me as pure as yo'
leave me-"
For time he opposed such suggestion
He could not accept her money. But il
proportion to bis unwillingness to receive
became her eagerness to bestow
At the last he consented. He would on
| i 1oox, IN ho ropoSd
, future day. He would send to her as
t banker, for what he required, and remai
away some four or five years.
t Her sister vas much opposed to it whe1
: informed of what Estelle proposed to do.
tl "You are exceedingly unwise, Estelle,
she said, angrily, "to draw your capital t
give to him. I doubt his goodness
doubt his ever returning"
Estelle was wounded but not discourag ed
She made him present of a very handsom
gold watch and chain, and money enough t
defray all expenses Incidental to his journe
and first admittance to medical school. =
Then he was to write to her, and she wou
send him more.
His two years we're spent in England
ana ne received money lfoM uei every 4u"i
ter. He lived in style, even in luxury =
surrounded himself with everything lie coul
wish for; and though she thought he mus
be extravagant in his habits, she made n
= inquiries, no comments.
i Her sister married and went to California
+ and Estelle was left to watch and wait tn
still remaining three years Of his absense
He went to Germany. He remained tw
years longer. The last year Of his propose
absence he wrote to Estelle thus
"My love, do not know how to say wha
I wish. My five years have nearly expired
I believe I am nearing the goal, which, saw
! for the goodness Of your true and nobl
r heart, I never should have hoped to attain
but yet am not satisfied. wish to Sc
you SO much, my poor, lone birding, tina
I am ready to drop everything, give up ever.
future hope for this world and the next, t
fly to you. But I restrain myself. I wlsl
to be entirely worthy Of you and all yo'
have done for me when do return. Oh
if I could remain here two years longer,
might accomplish much therein"
J She persused that part Of bis letter Tw