Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1872-11-29
of 6nerv and fashion.

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council. agreed that "they were agreeabl.
surprised at Arnod's choice
Greatly, my DEAR" said Mrs Clifford
her trousseau rs in exquisite taste .
"And Arnold has given her perfect jew
elry.'
''She is SO shy aod graceful, and SO yer.
pretty, that society will readily overlook an.
little gaucherie."
"But she really has. none. She is a la
dy. if she is country born and bred. Die
you hear her play"
"Don't tell anybody she was educated
at musical school, for music teacher, bu
nobody need know that"
"She never taught?"
"No; Arnold found her when she was
Aswssn yoRand.tnss Arnold has made !
better Choice shad a % IN girls ~
have been trying to catch him for the past
ten years.
II was afraid he would be an old bache
lor like Uncle Giles. By-the-way, Elite
must be years younger than he.
''Sbe is seventeen"
".And he is thirty. Well the difference
is on the right side"
"Did you venture upon any hint avou'
her dress on Wednesday evening %
"Not [. Trust Arnold for that. With
her taste, and his savoir .faire, you may
be sure she will be appropriately dressed
might have limited at her wedding dress,
but I am terribly afraid it was shilling
Calico
Mentally the ladies concluded that they
were right to trust to Arnold and Elite, when
the bride entered Mrs Clford's crowded
drawing room. The pure beauty Of the
winning little lady bore well, dress Of the
exquisite lace over rose-tinted white silk,
while the golden hair, in soft, full curls,
was caught here and there by pearl sprays.
Pearl jewels adorned the round white arms
and throat, and caught up the costly lace
bertha on the shoulders. From the tip of
the white satin slipper, to the snowy gloves,
there was no fault to find, and the favorable
impression awakened by the al shy face
and beautiful dress was increased by grace
full manner, the evident cultivation of the
mind, and the artistic musical culture of the
bride.
Ten years passed over Elite Morford s
head before any event of more than usual
interest occurred to break upon that rare
combination, perfectly happy married
life.
Two children graced her home, for Ar
mold had long ago, yielded to her desire to
keep house, and her sunny life had left but
few lines of age or care upon her lovely
face. The girlish contour was gone, but the
ennobling expression of maternity had re-
placed these, and the dignity of the young
matron well became the small figure.
1t had long been conceded that if Mrs.
Morford was not especially we'll versed in
small talk, scandal and flirting, that she
was more than usually well read, and could
converse easily and gracefully with men
whose society was esteemed honor, from
their intellectual requirements OF scientific
standing
She was no pedant, and made no pretsn-
sions to literary attainments beyond the usual
requirements of her sex but she read and
studied intelligently, and where she found
the conversation soaring beyond her COM
prehension, could listen modestly, and gain
information.
She was entirely happy. How many can
say so truly
But BLOW was to CONS 20 her That 'wasa-
sudden aud unexpected 1t was at large
evening party that she heard the first init
nation Of approaching danger.
She was seated in a deep window-seat,
hidden by the heavy curtains, when tw o
gentlemen, standing near her, commenced a
stand still.
''They say" said one, ''shat Morford &
Giles will have to suspend payment"
Il have heard such rumor. They suf-
fered severely by the failure of Wilets &
Co."
''And | suspect they suffer some from the
extravaganza of Arnold's wife That wo.
mans dress must cost small fortune, and
he children are always mass of"embroide-
ry and doery."
"Her jewelry would support family"
The voices died away, but Elite bad heard
enough Was this really true Her con-
conscience was clear for she knew that Ar
mold alone was to blame, for her own and
her children's expensive wardrobe Her
jewelfy vas always Christmas or birthday
gift from her husband, and he knew, if no
others did, that it was to please hin, she
wore expensive toilets, when she would have
willingly returned to the simple muslins and
calicoes Of her girlhood.
There was glad smile on her lips as she
parted the curtai ms, and stepped into the
room.
An hour later, she was in her own room
with her husband, and throwing aside her
wrappings, she made him sit down beside
her, By pleading am not tired, and I
want to talk to YOU
Not looking In his face, she repeated the
conversation she had heard, and asked him :
els it true, Arnold p
''That your extravaganza has embarrass-
ed US? No. We are in difficulties, great DIFF
iculties, but We hope to weather the storm.
Willie. & Company's failure was great
blow to us, and we unfortunately made some
losing investments in the Fall. II / could
now have ten thousand dollars to meet pres
ent emergencies, we could see our way clear.
I hope to borrow that"
"But if you borrow it, you must pay it
back"
"Certainly. But we gain time
"Still. if you could have it without Dor
rowing"
"That would, indeed, relieve us. But
that is impossible"
"Arnold, will you listen to story, and
not ask any questions till it is finished 2"
''Is it not late for stories tonight 7"
please, let me tell you p
"Well u