Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1872-04-26

An air of intense chagrin overspread his
handsome, though rather effeminate features,
as he read the paragraph to which his com
panion pointed.
'Confound it, he muttered, It's always
my luck to have my dish toppled just when
it's full Though I must say, if it's got to
come, that I'm glad it happened the month
before our marriage
Charles Hayden, young man whose fea-
lures, though less regularly formed, were
expressive of far more manliness and good.
ness ofheart, gazing at the speaker with an
air Of undisguised astonishment
why SO, Wells? you certainly did not
seek the hand of Miss Neal simply for her
money?
We'll, no can't say that. She is a
most lovely and charming woman; and it
really cuts me to the heart to give her up.
But then | am too poor to afford such lux
urv. And Miss Neal can no more afford to
marry poor man. So we're about even.'
And have you no thought for the pain
that your desertion will iDaict upon the
heart you have won,' said Hayden in a tone
of suppressed indignation.
Softly, my dear fellow said Wells, who
had resumed his former comfortable position,
and was solacing himself with fresh cigar
I hardly think that it will be any such des
perate affair to Miss Neal as you suppoee.
Indeed, I've thought several times Of late,
that had it not been for her foolishly high
idea of the binding nature of such prom
Use, she would have broken the engagement
herself .*
And knowing this, you would have held
her to its ful6llment.'
..Not being sufficiently disinterested to
refuse the gift of fifty thousand dollars, I
rather think I should
you are not worthy of a true-hearted
woman like Ellen Neal = was the indignant
response.
Then so much the better for her, that l
should leave her to be appropriated BY some
one that is-yon, for instance. 1t strikes
me that you used to be somewhat interested
| in that quarter now is the time, old fellow,
for you to 60 in and win
Charles Hayden scarcely felt OR heard the
covert sncer in these words, so much was he
engrossed by the new born hope that had
sprung up in his heart, and which made its
pulses beat so quickly and strongly.
! so you are to be married next month my
dear 2 said Mr.. Thornly to his ward, Ellen
Neal.
Yes, believe SO, was the rather inditfer
ent reply
Mr.. Thornly studied his wards face for
moment with his keen eyes.
I don't believe you care two straws fol
Frederick Wells.
oh. not so bad as that, guardian sale
Ellen, with a faint smile; though ! have
sometimes feared that don't give him the
affection that he deserves. He seems to b'
very strongly attached to me- :,
Hump! my opinion of Frederick Well
is, that be is too much in love with his owl
handsome face to be very much attached t.
any woman
you are too severe. Any way, hay
promised, and cannot break my word.
| ooh, no, certainly not far better breal
your heart
I don't believe I've got any, was to
!, laughing rejoinder. If have, l have ne'
It er been able to discover it. Never fear 10
me. guardie I dare say I shall be as happ
! with Frederick as with any onc.'
t Yet in spite Of these lightly spoken words
: there rose up before her mental vlslon on
with whom she knew she could be far haI
pier. But even if she had been free
choose, how did she know that ne wou9
choose her True she had sometime
fancied-but what right had she to indule
in such fancies3
When Mr. Thornly reached his office