Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1871-01-27

Miss Romer, be repeated, Il am glad
have learned your name, because you re
minded me of my sister, ooh, Douglas
it wasn't because she looked like her then :!
L have no sisters, or brothers either,
said she, sadly.
Have you not 2 said Lennox, pityiugly
L should be very lonely without mine
though / have only one sister. Now that
have learned your name, may [ tell you
miner
IL you please said Miss Romer.
1T is Douglas Lennon, at your service.
Please consider the owner your friend Miss
Romer,' said the young man, so gravely
and kindly that she could not be offended.
Thank you,' she said, simply. Then.
pushing tho box of handkerchiefs near him,
added, DO these please you?'
Douglas was very quick to take the gen-
tie reminders which she sometimes gave
him, that he was prolonging his stay,
SO he turned his attention to the hnndker-
chiefs
It CHANGED that Miss Romer still lot her
hand rest upon the edge of the box. It was
very small, white hand, with little dim
pies at the joints. and pink, shell-like nails ;
and Lennox, who was passionate admirer
of pretty hands, lon ged to clasp them iD his
own, and press them to his lips. But he
was chivalrous gentleman, and would no
more have taken any liberty with the hum
bic shop girl than with the highest lady in
the land.
About this time Douglas took to early
morning walks, which generally led down
Chestnut street Whether the fact that he
occasionally met Miss Romer on her way to
the store, and once or twice walked with
her, had anything to do with the matter or
not, I can't say But after such occasions,
I DO know that the spirits Of Mr.. Douglas
Lennox improved considerably.
One Sunday afternoon near sunset Doug
las left lively circle in his sisters parlor,
and went out for a quiet walk by himself.-.
He entered one Of the parks, and was stroll
ling through the sunny, green paths, when
his heart gave quick bound at the sight of
trim little figure in blue, resting upon one
Of the shady seats For moment he hest
tated. then he crossed over and spoke.
Good avening. Miss Romer.'
Miss Romer rose with the lady-like grace
which had long ago told Douglas that shc
was used to cultivated society, and returned
his salutatien And then they sat down
again together, and yielding to the calm
Sabbath evening influences, they fell into
quiet talk, naturally as if they had been old
acquaintance.
They talked of Themselves, and Miss
Romer told Douglas that her home had been
in New Haven, and her father gentleman
of means, who had lavished upon h,r, his
only child, every advantage which money
and taste could procure. She told him of the
death of her father and mother in single
week, and how her fathers estate proved in
volved, and left her penniless and alone.
She told him how she had sought for
some means by which to support herself, and
how abe had finally obtained her situation in
Mr. Sheldon's store, and kept herself in
comfort
And Douglas told her that he, too, was
an orphan, only himself and Bel LEFT /; but
he touched very liz! tly en- the wealth that
was his, least it should give her pain.
While they talked, Miss Romer dropped
her fan, and Douglas, picking it up, saw
written upon the plain, ivory handle the
name, Helen Romer'
Helen was my mothers name, he said
reyerently.
WAS it 1t is niue, too, said Miss Ro-
mer, in pleased surprise.
! 1 am glad it is yours, said Douglas
And he fell to thinking how often he had
written his mothe's name. Helen Lennox,'
and how much he would like to write it
again, with an RI between the names.
They sat very still a little while, hardly
talking at all, and forgetting the lateness of
the hour, until the CLEAN Of the sea- lamps
close by startled Miss Romer
She hastily rose, saying: I did not
know it was so late. | must 60 home at
once
Douglas rose too, saying, May I accom-
pany ycu?'
She htsitated moment, he. color came
and went, and then she said, looking up with
pleading glance, I had rather you did
not, Mr.. Lennox.
Douglas flushed then, but he asked gent
ly, win you tell me why 2"
Helen was silent, the crimson deepening
color in her fair face, and presently Doug
las repeated sshis demand, in a irmer tone.
Please tell me why, Miss Romer.'
Because, MIR. Lennox, young girl in
my position cannot have the friendship Of a
gentleman in yours, without-without-'
she hesitated and could not 60 on.
Without making herself a mark for idle
and thougntless tongues, [ suppose you
mean 2 asked Douglas, with dash of bit,
terpess is his tons
She bowed her head in assent
Douglas quickly asked another question ::
Miss Romer have sought your society a
good many times lately Have been tho
cause Of any such pain to you ?
Helen seemed deeply agit tied, and did
not reply until the young man said entreat-
ingly, Tell me, Miss Romer.'
"A little, she answered faltcring)y, then
once moro looking up at him with plead,
ing glance which touched his heart, she add
cd, But I know you did not intend it, and
| have been trying all the evening to get
courage to tell you that when we part here,
it had better be for good.
The young mans resolution was instantly
taken.
You shall rot tell me any such thing,
for [ do not mean to part with you at ALL
[ understand what you mean, and I would
!, give my right hand-ycs, my lite-rathel
than ipjure you But I suppose even O
shop girl may have an honest lover, hus
, band, and home. Miss Romer-Hcler
If offer you these, will you accept them?
Helen Romer trembled SO that she was