Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1872-06-28

But Oracle cut her aunt's scolding and Viva
sneers as short as possible: and having writ
ten short note to Kane Ventnor-merel
telling him that she had gone to seek he
fortune. and bidding him trust her ant
await fuller xplanations-she started upol
her journey-as friendless, yet as determin
ed, little girl as ever ventured upon I
similar Grand
1t was night when she arrived at her des
tnation, and she could only form vague
general idea that the house was pretty
villa on the outskirts of the town, and thai
her employer-who gave her kind recep
tion-was a gentleman In the dining
room, where tea had been kept waiting for
her, her observations were more decided. =
She fancied the reason for the peculiar
phraseology of the advertisement as she ate
or, at least, tried to eat-from soiled
tablecloth, sticky dishes. and forks odorous
y suggestive Of the last meal
II can improve this, anyhow" she
thought, and, taking her cue, she appeared
in the kitchen bright and early tie next
morning, startling the Hbernian incumb bent
by inquiring the way to the linen closet.
can it is clane tablecloth ye're want
ing" asked the reigning power.
eyes. and napkins. Tell me where I
shall find them, if you please"
"Sure you will do for a male or two yet, "
was the indignant reply 1T isn't me that
can be murdherin' meself wild such wash
ms"
Oracle saw that it was time to assert her
authority, and drawing herself up with dig.
nifty, she said II have come more than
three hundred miles for the express purpose
Of directing Mr.. Brooke's household. It
will be better that you shall understand this
from the first And now I want the table
linen at once'
This had the desired effect. The napery
was forthcoming. and Oracle proceeded to
spread it neatly upon the round table Then,
while the girl looked on astonished, she SUBJ
jected such portion Of the glass and china
as might be needed to sort of Turkish
bath. That is, she washed them briskly
through pan of hot soapsuds, dipped them
quickly into another Of pure, scalding water,
and ended by rubbing them vigorously with
clean crash towel Next. by the aid of
the white Of an egg thoroughly mixed with
the ground Arabian berry, she made coffee
of the color and transparency Of amber, and
ended her preparations by tossing together
an omelette light as yellow foam.crest.
Bridget, who never objects when her
office is rendered sinecure, stood by in sui.
len admiration. II am doing these things
to-day to show you how | shall expect them
to be done in the FUTURE" said Oracle, qui-
city, as she decanted the coffee into the sill
yer urn heated to receive it.
CHOW you can bring the omelette and
other things" and. proceeding to the
dining room, she arranged the breakfast
tas.efully upon the table
CHOW, if I only had handful of morn.
ing-glories for the centre, it would be al
most perfect" the thought; stepping back
to survey her work as proud artist might
inspect his picture
The door opened suddenly, and Mr..
Brooke came in. Oracle blushed like de-
tected thief as the old gentleman's smile of
amusement met her eyes. He FASTENED to
relieve her.
"It is very nice, indeed" he said, "Shall
We see if it tastes as good as it looks 7" and
taking his seat, he began conversation
upon other subjects.
But it was evident that he appreciated
the improvement in his aseaage, not the
least pleasing feature Of which was the pref
ty figure seated at the head of his table-a
figure whose white hands, topped by snowy
cuffs, Auttered SO daintiy among the tea
cups Mr.. Brooke and his housekeeper
soon grew to be good friends.
One morning when she had been for sev-
eral weeks domestioated in his household,
after good-natured quizzical look across
the tables he said; 'Miss Fairford, you
must excuse an old mans impertinence,
but it strikes me that your hair is too pref
ty to be covered by that envious cap. And
are there not under it some ourls held in I'M
accustomed Imprisonment I do not think
I would confne them SO. All graceful
things should have liberty"
Oracle blushed red as rose, So he had
penetrated her silly artidca, and was laugh
ing at her for it.
Il was SO young" she faltered, dep!o-
riugly, dropping her eyes to her plate.
ayes, I see" he rejoined kindly. "Your
little attempt at disguise was very honest
and ingenious, but, fortunately, in this case
it was entirely unnecessary. However,
never trust to it again, my dear. 1t is too
transparent. I do not like to think i'll of
my rage; bFt thank Heayen that in your
guileless innocence you were directed here.
You were indeed too young" And as he
spoke, sympathetic sigh for all homeless
young creatures breathed from the old gen.
tleman's lips.
Oracle was touched, and, almost before
she was aware of it, she had told the whole
story of her life-of her mothers early
death of her fathers patient toll as home
missionary Of the grpdging support given
her after he was gone; and, after word or
two of questioning encouragement, her reso-
lutions of independence, her connection
with Kane Ventnor, and her hopes for the
future.
The latter part of the story seemed to
possess peculiar interest to the old man.
"What is his profession youth who
will some day take you away from me 2" he
asked quietly.
"a lawyer, SIR answered Oracle. with
another blush.
"Ah! but isn't that rather-excuse me-
but isn't it considered rather dishonest
avocation 2"
, Oracle flushed out little burst Of temper
which set Mr.. Brooke's merry gray eye'
twinkling.
How can you say SO when you arr
one yourself o. she exclaimed, Indignantly
''Besides, Mr.. Vepsnor is no pettifogger
; It may require years Of patience, but he is
) determined to be nothing less than high
minded practitioner of the lav, who vii
stoo., 10 n Low ,naannnsa or trickaru an,