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

hesitate about, I'll CONSENT answers
Frank
And Uncle Phil, closing the library door
proceeded to disclose his plan,
Frank listened until his uncle had con
Guided, and then, after merry laugh, b
said
IAN right I've no doubt of the result
But really, uncle, have no idea you wer
such plotter You have missed your 70
cation, truly think"
"Au reuoir," said Frank that night, af
tier having accompanied Isabel home from {
ball. She had seemed more beautiful ane
charming tn an ever, and Frank, when he
babe her goodnight, said to himself
Tomorrow I shall be the happiest mar
living, or Pshaw I'm foolish to think
for moaept of anything else. She will
1 stand the test"
/ It was near noon of the next day that q
hand cart filled with beautiful plants, was
stopped before Mr. Courtney's The man,
ascending the steps, rang the bell and hand
ed in card, On which was written, "For
Miss Courtney"
As the man stood waiting directions con-
| CC1 uilS tHO iCnotdl VI tuG pldato. AC hCnlu
a pleasant voice call:
I "Isabel. dear, do come down p and the
cross, irritable answer:
s'I'm not ready, and it is no use to hurry
me. You expect me to get down to break
fast when did not retire until after mid
mig. I think you might have sent it up
: to me !"
There vas grieved look in the mothers
eye, slight culver of her lips, as she went
to the foot of the stains and said:
t'lt is not to come to breakfast. That is
over hours ago. Yours is waiting whenever
you wish IT, I called you to come see the
beautiful flowers some one has sent you, and
direct the man where you wish them placed. )"
"Oh!" in modified tone and few
moments after. Miss Courtney came down.
IF she had not been SO intently admiring
the flowers, she mlgnt have noticed the look
of astonishment depicted on the face of the
man waiting to do her bidding-and we'll
there might be.
Gould it be possible that was the girl Of
whose beauty and sweetness SO many praises
were sung
A morning robe, dingy and soiled,
caught up here and there by pins-subsit-
tutes for stitches-neither belted nor corded,
but flowing loosely and trailing around her;
her front hair still in crimpers, the back
caught in tangled mass under net. She
presented not the slightest resemblance to
the belle of the night before.
s'Take them in, and place them in the
windowsof the dining-room for the present."
Isabel said. Going in herself, she dropped
into chair, saying:
Mamma, tell some one to bring me my
breakfast now"
"You will have to wait on yourself lit
tie to-day, Isabel The cook is sick. and
Kitty has gone to market"
Before the mother concluded Isabel
snapped oat :
''It's always SO when I am tired"
tWell, do not worry, dear. Here is your
breakfast. Now eat it while it is warm,
and then want you to assist me little
Papa is going to brig friend home to din
ner, ana we must try to have things just as
nice as if our cook prepared them" said
Mrs. Courtney, in coaxing tone.
"Indeed, mamma, if you choose to wor
F ~ over the dinner, I shall not I'm not 60
ing to ruin my complexion, and make my
hands rough, with such work. Besides, [
have an engagement at two o'clock. Why
could not papa take his friend to a restau-
rant?"
my dear, when a gentleman has Q home
and family, he expects
''Expects Yes, entirely too much. Men
are always giving unnecessary trouble
When | have home Of my own, [ guess [
will have my husband understand he can
not"
Isabel was suddenly stopped here by a
crash; aud looking up, she exclaimed
"Oh, you awkward wretch You have
broken the very prettiest rose!''
The man stopped not to pick up the frag-
ments, or bring in the plants remaining in
the entry; but, pulling his slouched hat
further over his face, rushed from the room
end louise.
"Oh, Isabel, how could you speak so =
You frightened thst poor man. Ny child,
you should try and control yourself. You
can be so pleasant at times ?" the mother
said.
| AND when Isabel answered:
Mamma, we neither Of US have time for
lecture just now,'' she turned, with a
weary, sad look, and left the room.
The same morning, an hour later, Mary
Fulton sat at the window Of the pretty.
cozq little sittine-roam. The needle, which
few moments before she had piled so swift
ly, suddenly ceased, and her hands dropped
Oh the work in her lap. Her sweet face
had plaintive expression, which deepened
as she sat SO idly-nay, busy with Thoughts
which were far from happy ones surely, for
the pretty red lips quivered like grieved
child's. As quickly she dashed away tear,
and said
"This will never do. Mamma will soon
DO in, and in an instant her loving eye will
detect the trace of eveu one tear. l must
not grieve her But, oh wonder what
did to change his feelings toward me? was
SO sure he loved me, that [ let my poor
heart slip from my own keeping True, ht
never told me of his love save by looks ane
acts. These last three months have seemed
as years, only twice during which I have
seen him, and then with beautiful girl
the girl, most likely, who has really wo,
his heart. Well, we'll, must conquer thi
affection, aud this is not the surest way.
must be busy all the time, giving regret
no chance to linger with me-
Again her fingers were busy with he
needle How pretty she looked in her nea
, chintz morning dress, with snowy collar
cuffs and apron, her bright brown hair, he
wavy tresses, confined by blue ribbon
: A few moments more, and she started uE
I saying:
II must find something more active tina