Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1871-07-21
SELECTED STORY
ONLY A CLERK. =.
BY AMY RANDOLPH.


Cecile Homer was tall and brilliant, with
deep hazel eyes, cheeks crimsoned with hap
by excitement, and heavy coils Of shining
brown hair shot through with arrows of dead
gold, tipped with jewels.
Mary Horner, her quiet little cousin, was
az different from Ceeile as light from dark
ness. She was slight and small, with blue
ewes that had all the wonderful innocence
Of baby's in their azure light hair of a
redish gold, and complexion pure and del
icate as pink japonica. Nor did her dress
compare with Cecile's. It was plain
white muslin scattered all over with knots
of blue ribbon, and simple blue ribbon was
all that adorned Ter glossy, luxuriant tress-
es. Mary Horner was poor and all these
graceful adjuncts to woman's beauty cost
money!
ssOh, mamma, it was perfectly delightful
at the party to-nightV' CALCULATED Cecile
enthusiastically. Everybody was there. =
Mr.. St. John was there, and asked me to
poker twice =
..Did he ?" questioned the gratifed man.
ma. II hope you invited him to call p
"Of course l did. Mrs Emmons says
he belongs to the Virginia St. Johns, and
is very rich. Such diamonds as he wears,
mamma But Mattie's the favorite with
him, think p
Cecile turned round, and shook her fin
ger with affectionate archness at blushing
little Mary.
"Don't, Cecile," pleaded Mary as if every
drop of blood in her cheeks was turning to
fire. ''It's all your fancy"
.'It is ? Then what are you blushing Gel
estial rosy red for? However, l mean to
marry him if I can catch him-I always
did fancy black eyes and hair like "a
what's it's names wing ? And then he's
rich, and Pm determined to have rich
husband"
Mary Horner grew red and pale-open-
ed her rosebud lips and shut them again
without speaking. How wrong it seemed
for any one to talk in that manner Of Tai
bot St. John, when she only dared to think
Of him as hero shrined afar off in the
height of chivalrous romance!
Mrs. Horner only laughed, however,
she was quite accustomed to Ceclle's reck
less chatter. Nevertheless, she discerned
through the light froth of words the under
current of definite resolve on her daug b.
ters part. Cecile did like Talbot St John
and she was quite in earnest when she said
that she meant to marry him.
"It's two o'clock and after, girls" she
said, with prodigious yawn. 500 to bed
or you'll both be as pale as ghost to:mor'
row." .aa
The girls went, and both Of them, girl
fashion dreamed of Talbot St. John. While
that gentleman himself dreamed Of only one
The bright winter sunshine was spark
ling over the newly.fallen snow like grea
universal alchemist, who dealt only in pow
dered diamonds Of the very first water-tht
sky was blue with dazzling, wonderful blue
ness that you only see when the thermome
ter is close down to zero and Talbot St
John guiding his olood-norses down th'
crowded thorough-fare, the thorough enjoy
ment Of living that makes life the sweetes
of all Injuries, .aea .a.e
"Hallo n 7o 6
He reigned up with an abruptness thai
brought the smoking horses on their baunch
es. a'si
"sGrant Wyman old fellow come fol
q drive It's the luckiest thing that ! hap
pened to meet you !"
The pale, worn-looking young, man, car
rying a bundle under his arm, stopped-the
hectic glow mounted to his check :
"Mr. St. John p
Poor fellow how keeply he felt bis QWr
shabbiness at that moment, as the dashlne
young Southerner learned from his stylish
turnout, with cordial extended hand. ="
"Come-in with you and we'll take
turn or two in the Park .e. .s.
II cannot Talbot-my time is not my
oWn," -.
'.Not your own what do you mean !?
perhaps you have forgotten perhaps
you have not heard said Wyman, speaking
hurriedly and confused" that we are very
much reduced. II am clerk in trim
ming store, at ten dollars week."
1.-THE deuce you are what then ?" :,
"You never were worldly, Talbot, said
the young man, smiling sadly; "you don'1
argue like the rests The Vorla that og g 50:
"social humbug p calculated Talbot,
impatiently jerking the rein. Jump I'M
Grant-my horses won't stand %
cit is quite impossible, Talbot, my en-