Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1871-03-31

to do. I. it right? What will her father
think of me r
"Thiuk of you? He ought to be proue
to have such spunky dauA liter and son-ln
law. You're suite he wouldn't let you mar
ry ber?'
eyes, sir, I'm sure. although | never
asked him. He expects her to msrry some
one who is rich, and that would break ner
heart and mine!!"
s.1hen rush ahead, boy Hearts before
purses that's what say, and L am prac'
teal man, too"
"You really think Two uld do right, then,
to secure the lady without her fathers con-
sent"
Eyes, I really do. But you have not
told me vet what you are going atfrst."
II do not know certainly yet sir. L want
her father to know it as soon as possible.
and think of going to his house at once,
"You're a trump, Chester exclaimed
Mr.. Graham, clapping the young man on
the. shoulder. "That's the right course; 40
that, and you will have nothing to be
ashamed of Well, good bye"
The shades OF evening were falling upon
the parlor of Hal Chester's boarding house.
She had not long to wait IN moment
the latter gentleman joined her, and olrectiy
after carriage drove up to the door.
Drawing the veil yet more closely around
her that her fathers ooachman might not
recognize her, May Graham entered the We
A short drive brought them to the house
Of the minister, who, with his wife and
friend of Haps, stood ready to receive them.
The ceremony was performed without de-
lay the solemn words pronounced, "Ihose
whom God hath joined together, let no man
put asunder" .
The young people did not tarry long at
the parsonage, for, although they were JUS
tilted in the course they had taken, by Mr..
Graham's own words, there still fingered in
their hearts an uneaslness that prompted
them to seek an interview with him at as
early an hour as possible
The old gentleman was sitting alone In
his parlor. I'M"
Every strange, this,'' he muttered,
MAYS gone out to tea without telling me
beforehand. She don't know what she's
missed. Ho (! no! what glorious joke
Hal Cheste. is playing on some one now
Yes, I came home. early to tell May, for
she likes joke as we'll as 1. Well, we'll,
she'll be home before long, and then LII tell
her. Who can tha, be stopping at the
door" e'5s e. rs t
It was too dark for him to recognize his
own carriage, aud he was totally unpreprred
when his young friend entered the room-a
lady clinging timi1ly to his arm.
"Why, Hall" exclaimed Mr.. Graham,
when he had sufficiently mastered his sur
prise to speak How is this? Has your
law refused you admittance, that
you come to me %
mo, SIR" said Hal, huskily, for he
dreaded the scene before him. ''no, sir, but
you have always been my friend, and came
to you, first of all. Let me present you to
my wife, Mrs. Chester
Nj. Graham bowed, and begged the lady
to be seated, an invitation with which her
agitation made hasty compli-
anee scarcely matter of choice. Her bus
band STOOD at her side in painful uncer
tainty how to announce to Mr. Graham the
real state of affairs.
Well, sir, I have done as you advised
me. I have married this lady without her
fathers knowledge. Do you still think me
rightp staya esa q. r. --
.'To be sure do! Hearts before purs-
es,' .lways.' 4ie
Then you can forgive me-" he said
"Mr. Graham, let me once more present to
you my wife, formerly Miss Mary Graham!
May, take off your veil"
With upliftsd hands, and eyes wild With
Mr.. Graham staggered back.
For several moments he stood thus, when
be burst out, "Mr. Chester, sir this is nice
conduc, for an honorable gentleman No,
no, Mrs. Chester, keep off, I don't want
our arms around me-that's over and
gone A dutiful daughter you are! What
do you mean by such conduct, sir, | say !"
May looked around at her husband and
modified, and he epled very quietly:
II meant to follow your advice, sir; to
make bold push and win'-to run off
with an heliess.
''Run off with an heiress, yes, sir see
your motive" interrupted the old man an
grily-"and what do you expect to gain by
it, sir? II you think you'll get cent from
me, you're mistaken
II think you'll forgive US. People al
ways get resigned to what they can't help
I know that from experience You see,
SIR" and Chester's eyes twinkled, ri
thought it would be the bes. stroke Of for
tune that ever CHANGED me- Besides, Mr..
Graham, relied upon you for help to gain
my father-in-law forgiveness. Remember,
you promised he should take me into bust
ntss before many months are over else the
more fool he!' You promised to aid NE,
'ifsonly for the sake Of the joke, let alone
my sake,' and then, too, [ thought that
hearts before purses
t'Stop, stop, that's enough! l can't stand
any more" gaspcd the old gentleman,
breaking out iuto hearty laugh, Il am
conquered, beaten by my own weapons, my
own words I had better be resigned as l
can't help myself. | can't afford to lose my
daughter. I'd rather keep her, even with
the addition of an impudent son. Oh"
here he broke forth in another burst of mer-
rinent, '''but you young ones were sly
foxes Well, well, this is the most glorious
Joke ever heard"
CHARITY. Charity is a universal duty
which is in every mans power sometimes
to practice, since every degree Of assistance