Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1872-03-01

OnarleS sat GOWN tneTe, ana HIS employer
went out but be could not read. His hear
beat wildly in his bosom, and his soul was
strangely worked upon Oh, how natural
everything there appeared And how many
happy, blissful hours he had spent in that
room. Thus he sat, when the door was
slowly opened and a female appeared within
the apartment. She was a bright eyed,
beautiful maiden, and when she first entered
a happy smile was upon her face But the
smile faded away, and her lips trembled -
She tried to speak, but she could not She
only stood there, with her hands half ex'en-
ded, gazing tremblingly upon the youth -
In moment more her bright eyes overrun
with tears, and then Charles tartei up =
! He could doubt no more. Why else should
be have been brought hither? why left
thus why placed on probation He hcsI'a-
ted no more. With one quick step be sprang
forward, and without word he caught he
fair girl to his bosom.
Mary" he uttered, as he gazed into the
sparkling eyes of the being who still clung
fondly to him, ''vou still love me-you for-
give me all-and trust me onoe more 2
AVo, cio III vi uuICO, duu CIT BIC c'utu
speak further her father entered the room.
"Aha, SO you've found him, have
you Mary? p he cried in happy joy
tone.
''Mr Williams uttered Charles. still
holding Mary by the hand, and speaking
with difficulty, II hope am not deceived
Oh, you have not brought me here to kill
Won A.
my lips only to dash it away again p
"Of course not returned the merchant.
"But you must know now the whole truth,
aid for fear my child may not tell you all,
Ill tell you myself This noble girl has
never ceased to love you, and when you were
the lowest down, she loved you the most -
She came to me and asked if she might save
you if she could. I could not tell her nay,
and she went at the work She has sui.
fered much, and Charles, it remains with you
to decide her happiness or not. She knew
that you were down, aud that your false
friends had forsahen you. Then it was
that her love for you grew bold and strong
She knew not What might be your feelings,
and to save herself from the pain of direct
repulse from you, she assumed disguise,
SO that she might approach you without be-
ing known, and yet gain some idea of your
feelings, and save you if she could I
think she has done we'll. At any rate she
regaiued you to herself, and it must now b.
your own fault, if the silken tie is luosea
again.
With these words the father left the
apartment. ii .sozs71 -. Z,
You, Mary you in Disguise ?" quersd
Charles, as soon as be could speak.
GAY, dear Charles and you know Why
L did it. Here-do you not remember it p
And as she spoke, she drew from her bosom
Il silken purse, and took therefrom sig
pence.
The youth recognized it in an instant.
ooh p he cried, as he strained the noble
girl to his bosom, "what can | say? Mary
own hearts truest love--let
my life in the years to come tell my graft.
tude. Oh. my all of my life is yours and
my last breath shall bear your name in graft
isude to God IT,
And Charles Aubrey never forgot his
promise. With this noble companion by
his side, he travelled up the hill, and in his
path the flowers of life grew thick and fra.
grant.
Upon the wall of his sitting room hangs
q picture. 1t is splendid painting Of the
Prodigal Sons Return. Upon the face 81
a heavy guilt frame, visitors notice small |
blemisb, but which uponrloser examination,
proves to be small silver coin Our read
ess need not be told Why that bit of metal |
Is thus carefully preserved