Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1872-10-04
ton, and it was CURIOUS to see how soclabl

hooks, and the latest magazines, some 0
which Russell had with him.
The lady inwardly thought her compan
ion to be the most entertaining and agreea
BILE man she ever met with. And as fo1
Russell, he often lost the thread Of his dis
co,rse in admiring the red, dimpled lips
and the pearly teeth they disclosed when
ever she spoke or smiled.
Certain it is that his four hours ride from
P to Dighton were the shortest ne hae
ever known in his life.
"Where do you want to be left, sir !?
INQUIRED the coschman IS he entered the
village.
cat Mr.. Charles Hunts Locust Hill
Do you know where i. is?" said Russell
putting his head out Of the window.
"Certairly, sir. Take you there in
jiFy",
'sWby, there's where I am goipg!" said
the lady, opening her eyes widely. "Nel-
ly-Mr. Hunts wife is my most particular
friend; wa asea - ass@tos school tasasetaer, ;,
And Charley Hunt Is my most particular
friend, and one of the fnest fellows in the
world" >.
How very odd y
'How very fortunate p exclaimed Rus-
sell, with meaning glance at bis compan-
ion which made the rosy checks still more
rosy. might take the liberty Of inquir-
ing"
But just at this moment the stage stopped
in front Of the house. Cd the pogtico OF
which stood Mr.. and Mrs Hunt, enjoying
the evening air.
In moment Russell was shaking hands
with the former, while his companion rush
ed eagerly into the arms of the surprised and
delighted wife.
why, what, a happy surprise. Jennie, !"
she said, after spiriting her visitor off to her
own room. Il had given up all idea Of see
ing you this summer.
"And [ had no idea Of being able to come
until just before [ started. You see NAM
many step-mamma, you know-was 60
ing to Uncle Wilder's, and she insisted OF
my going with her, 70 SOC that hateful
disagreeable cousin Of mine that they are
determined to marry me to. So when NAM
ma was busy packing, I just put on my
things and slipped off, leaving note to tell
where was going. Wasn't thss good
Joke on them all 2"
II should think it wa.," said Nellie, with
burst Of merrimens, far more than the o.
casion warranted .'When saw who your
comp anion was, thought YOU we're out on
your wedding tour !"
mo, indeed never saw the man until he
got into the stage at P. But, really,
he is the fnest-looking man ever saw, and
so agreeable Who is he ?"
ooh, I'll introduce you whom you come
down stairs There's Sarah, wanting to see
me about supper. You'll have time to dress.
Mind, and look your prettiest !'
And with roguish shake of her finger at
her friend. Nellie ran away to see about
supper. If Jennie did not ''look her pref
test" she certainly looked very lovely as
she entered the supper room, her linen suit
exchanged for fresh soft muslin, whose
simplicity and purity we're relieved only by
the yioIst- coloeed ribbons in the hair and
around the throat.
Russell had also taken great pains with
his toilet, as could be seen by the spotless
linen and carefully arranged hair
The pause that followed Jennie's entrance
was broken by Mr.. HUT, who, in response
to hint from bis wife, said
Russell, allow me to introduce to you
your cousin Jennie: Miss Carlton, your
cousin, Russell Wilder"
The embarrassment which followed tho
blank astonishment into which this an
nouncement threw the parties, so une1pect-
eddy made known to each other, was quickly
dispelied by the turn that was given to it by
shsir host and hostess.
II suppose you'll want TO book yourself
fer the Dext stage y said MIR. Hunt slyly
to Russell, who had taken him into his con-
fdence.
"And you,' said. the wife, turning to
Jenny, Il don't suppose anything could
tempt you to remain, now that you have
seen that hateful, disagreeabls-'
"Nellie," interrupted jennie crimsoniug
as she remembered her words.
well, I won't then. But you must let
me laugh Just to think Of you both run
ming ia the same direction, and to the same
place!''
The ringing laugh that burst from Mel
lies lips was too contagious to be resisted
even by those at whose expense it was
raieed.
This merrimeDt was followed by gen
eral good feeling, and pleasautor tea party
never gathered around the social board.
We need hardly say that Russell did not
take the stage the next morning, nor did
Jennie seem at~all disposed to cut short her
visit Oh account OF her cousins unexpected
appearance.
When they did go. they went, rs they
came. together,
Mr. Wilder's astoniahment was only
equaled BY bis delight, on looking out Of the
window to see the two walking up the path
TOWARD the bouse, arm in arm, sn1 appa-
rensly on tho best of terms.
As fer Russell and Jennie. they seemed
TO regard this unexpected meeting as an in.
dication of their manifest Destiny accept
ing it as such, much to the joy Of all.
A Southern gentleman. wearing Gree
ley badge, was accosted by Grant man
few days ago, OF Fulton ferry-boss with
the remark: