Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1872-01-26

ber-maid, told me that she had heard him
ask for me twice, and they answered that l
was indisposed onsone occasion. and out on
the other, leaving him to infer that / was
either always sick or gadding about.
knew, before the month was up, that
Lucia hoped to catch MIR. Wayne. Aunt
Dumont limited that it was almost sure
thing that Lucia was going to get a rich hus-
band and a position on the very topmost
round of the social ladder at the same time,
thus killing two birds with one stone. L
Qne day he called, and Rosa came up to
inform me that be was asking for me. She
had been busting the piano, and heard him.
They had told him that I was unwell.
l resolved to turn the tables on them, and
went down.
Good morning, Mr.. Wayne" said in
my blandest manner, not pretending to no.
tice the angry looks Of Aunt Dumont or the
frowning face If Lucia.
II was sorry to hear that you were not
we'll, he said, in his soft and pleasant voice.
II was never better in my life" said.
II don't see how you got the impression
that was sick"
He evidently mistrusted how matters
stood, and was wisely silent.
couldn't help stealing sly glances at Lu-
cha occasionally, for he hardly spoke to her
after came in. did not try to keep him
away from her He devoted himself to me
of bis own free will l wondered why.
Could it be possible that be cared for me
My heart gave great throb at the thought.
1t would be very sweet to be loved by some
kind, true heart. Since father died, love
had passed me by.
By-and-by he took his departure, and I
knew by Aunt Dumont's bristling plumes
that she was on the war-path. -s"
II am shocked at your boldness and ef-
frontery," she began. "Mr. Wayne has
the same as declared his intention Of marry
ing your cousin, and you intrude yourself
upon him, and force him to pay his atten-
tions wholly to you, knowing that he must
neglect Lucia in doing so.'
''Perhaps she wants him herself" said
Lucia, scornfully. II shouldn't wonder"
lis that tho reason why you force your
self upon his notice p demanded Aunt Du-
mont "Are you really trying to win him
away from his allegiance to Lucia 7"
Il am not trying to win him from ONT his ,, al
ing Ups. II have never forced myself up
on his attention. If he sees fit to talk with
me its because he wants to-. I have never
tried to catch him for a husband" and |
looked at Lucia. She colored, but tried to
hide her bushes which we're of such rare
occurrence that she ough to have been proud
of them, under sneer.
The next day Aunt Dumont and Lucia
went out shopping. They had not been
gone long when Brent Wayne came. l
went down to the parlor. He greeted me
with smile, and pleasant good morning.
II am sorry, but Lucia and Aunt Du-
mont are out" I said.
81 am not sorry" he said. II knew they
were out. That was why | called
What else could think but that he call
to see me Indeed, his manner toward me
gave me no room to doubt. He was SO
kind, SO gentle, so tender, that | began to
love him if I did not love him before.
We sang together. simple, old-fashioncd
songs, but none the worse for that. Be-
fore he rose to 60 the clock struck FIVE.
Il have spent very pleasant afternoon,
he said II hope to see you often in the
future"
In the hall he met Aunt Dumont and
Lucia.
"How long has Mr.. Wayne been here ?"
asked Aunt Dumont, coming directly into
the parlor.
1.-TWO or three hours" I answered.
He asked for us, of course"
..He did not" answered. "He said
he knew you were not at home"
II suppose you thought he came to see
you" said Lucia, with scornful laugh.
II infer from what he said that be did," I
answered quietly.
Bertha Crawford, ana ashamed of
YOU" said Auut Dumont. Il am positive
| " certain, from what I have seen, that you
are laying plans to win Mr.. Wayne away
from Lucia You are acting base, I'M
grateful part. You do not care how much
YOU ound Lucia's feelings provided you
carry your point. I shall take it upon my.
self to open Mr.. Wayne's eyes to the facts
Of the case, and show him how be has been
deceived He probably thinks you are a
artes young lady. and hasn't an idea how
you are scheming to win him away from the
heart he has won"
"Stop," cried, white with passion.
.'Let me speak," said Brent Wayne's
voice at the door. Excuse me, ladies', but
I forgot my cane-and, coming back after
it, CHANGED to overhear your conversation.
Allow me to state, madam, that my feel
inga, regarding your daughter, are un-
changed. If l have won her heart, [ am
truly sorry. have never tried to. And
let me say that I have come here TO see
your neice because love her. ask her
now to be my wife,
He turned toward me, holding out his
hands His face was full of love and ten.
derness and pity.
Darling, let me help to make your life
something worth living for" he said,
"Trust me and love me-"
put my hands in his, trusting in as
true a love as ever filed a noble, manly
heart
Aunt Dumont and Lucia we're struck with
CONSERVATION. Down went their air-castles
IN cloud of smoke. enjoyed their dis
may, because it was SO sudden and com
plete. .-
I met them sometimes, but not often
They have not got into the ''best society
yet. I fear they never will. Lucia fears
she will live and die in single blessedness
and is anxiously looking for some one tt
take pity on her.
And l ? am happy; and what woman
could ask more? After all, my triumph
was the triumph Of love.
A Toast drank at dinner recently va