Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1872-12-20

when she finally entered that lady's parlor
to give an account of the bundles she hat
been sending there all day.
''Your five children are an awful bothe
to me at Christmas, Marion" she said
"Have | forgotten any of the promises
have been making since last December?
ordered Clara the biggest doll could find
with a bedstead to match her proportions
and Miss Vanity Lily shall have her cora
pin and earrings. As for Eddy, bless BIZ
blue eyes, I have bought him half toy
shop. and l expect Ralph to scream over 1
real watch that will tick and co.
"a watch for Ralph F? You darling
zanted to get one, but bis father thinks he
is too young.
Twelve Oh, it will teach him TO be
careful. Oh, the sled is for Rob. but the
rest of the traps we will distribute as you
think best. [ will come in this afternoon
and help finish the tree
"Oh, stay now. The children are to
have their party tonight"
Christmas Eve. I'll come back. I must
60 now. I have note to write
DO III mere.
Cant! Good-by I'll be back in time y
Maynard Wight had passed busy dsy.
His father had accepted business opening
in Chicago, and the young man had half re-
solved TO accompany him. A few dsys only
were left him before he must refuse tie offer
OF Hill 4 Hill that would once more open the
path of prosperity for him. He did not de-
spair. He was young yet, in good health,
and full of euergy, but yet at bis heart one
thought lay with dull, heavy pain. 1t was
not the mere fancy of young girls vanity
that made Eta sure Maynard Wight loved
her. He had given her perfect and true
love, but, as she rightly judged, his pride
closed his lips, when business misfortunes
fell upon him. She was wealthy, and be
would not offer less income than her own
He was no fortune bunter, to live upon his
wife's money, or even to take her money
for the stepping-stone to his own prosperi-
ty.
As be strodo home in the dusk Of the De-
cember evening, the bright shops, the busy
crowds attracted his attention
christmas Eve," he thought 1t will
not be very merry Christmas for US, but
brighter times may come before another
year. had hoped to have the right to give
Eta Christmas gift, but that too must
wait till bril- litter days. [ wonder if some
more fortunate saitor will win her before I
feel free to speak p
Such thoughts are none too lively for the
holiday season, but Maynard could not turn
his mind to brighter subjects. It was hard
trial for him to meet these heavy revsrses
in the very commencement of bis business
career, espe cially as be felt assured he could
have averted them if be had had full control
in the business. Could he but accept the
offer of Hill & Hill he was certain t6at in
a few years he could take a stanJ again
amongst the successful merchants Of the
day.
''There is package in your bureau. Mr..
Maynard" the servant said, as she opened
The door for him. 1T was left few mo-
nents ago by little boy"
CAN right Is my father in p
''In the dinning-room, SIR
sect the package and bring it here
1t was small package, directed in stiff
hand, the letters being printed in lux. in
stead Of written. The gentlemen bent over
it with some curiosity
"Somebody has sent you Christmas gift
Maynard" said Mr.. Wight
OF all the odd gifts, this seemed tae odd
,st. 1t was brown cotton sock, of gay
'olors, with red and blue stripes, and row
If yellow stars at the top. A folded paper
vas In the toe, and on this was written in
he same stiff hand as the direction "Kriss
Ariogle to Maynard Wight" But inside
be paper We're five crisp new notes for one
thousand dollars each Maynard could
carcely believe his eyes.
"Hill & Hill ;" shouted his father "Now
can 60 to Chicago with an easy mind"
'But who could have sent it Pinch me,
md sec if am awake"
"Who sent it Kriss Kringle. OF course
Hero is his own word for it."
1t was useless to speculate about the gen.
rous giver, but it was quite against heaan
nature not to do SO, One wealthy friend
fter another was mentioned, and the prob
bilities discussed, but not once was the
'lus eyed girl named, whose heart was full
# Joy at the thought Of her power to aid the
riend who was dearest of all friends to her.
II she had beped that Maynard would tell
Ter his love before he went to Baltimore,
he was disappointed. He called upon her,
3 be did upon his other friends, to speak
lis brief farewell, but he did no more He
would wait, he told himself, till be had sue
eeded 10 his new enterprise. IfEtta loved
i'm, she would not marry for time, and
10 would bind her by no promise that might
'rove irksome in the uncertain future
Christmas after Christmas came, and Et-
a was still unmarried Marion was sure
hat her sister would be an old maid, and
oudly congratulated herself upon the fact.
II am sure it will kill me if Eta mar
les now" she would say "Those young
pes Of mine think more of Aunt Eta than
hey do of me. As for Uncle Ralph, he
would never consent now to lose Eta; she
5 all the world to him." And Eta would
mile and Kiss her sister, never whispering
me word Of the hope that was still aIiya 10
Ter heart.
Uncle Ralph knew her secret, and Uncle
Ralph was the wisest and kindest Of friands.
1e knew how the new partner of Hill Il
Hill was prospecting in all be touched. He
leard the first rumor Of the fact that May
ard Wight was to again return to his old
ZONE, and establish himself once more in
lis former business. He was one of the first
0 offer his congratulations to the rising
'oung merchant, and invite him to resume
lis visits to tho house.
christmas Eve, and showing fast Et-
a said, as she rose from the dinner table.
L suppose we must 60 to Marion's"
II would like to see you staying away
rom Marion's on Christmas Eve" said Un-
lie Ralph.