Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1872-06-07

ed by such fortune as Margaret possessed.
She had sutors by the score, until it became
publicly to be understood that she would
rather see the suitors at distance, or WOO
ing some one else. After that no one ven
tured to try his luck with Judge Gray's
heiress, and the rejected lovers consoled
themselves as speedily as possible by marry
ing the prettiest of her friends.
Margaret went cheerfully to each wedding
wished the bridegrooms joy, and gave to
the brides some beauti rul and valuable gifts.
Evidently she was then wearing the willow
for no one. What could the meaning Of
celibacy so determined be;
And the days and years went on. And
birthday came at last, which showed how
the school girl of fifteen was now the wo-
man of thirty five.
On that day, Margaret, arranging her
abundant tresses before the glass, saw the
first gray hair.
She stopped to look at it with melan-
choly smile
"Ah he would not say was too young
now" she exclaimed.
And just then tap came at the door,
and the servant entered and brought her a
card.
The gentleman IS below and would like
to speak with you, if convenient" said the
girl
Margaret looked at the card.
"ELL1soN STRONG"
| The room reeled round and round, and
iishe turned SO pale that the girl was then
frightened.
"Sure, Miss Margaret, it is i'll that ye
are and I'll 60 down and send the gentle
man away"
"No, no." said Margaret, recovering her
composure with an effort, Help me to
finish dressing Kate [ rust see him y
Kate with woman's quickness guessed
something Of the truth, and did her best to
make her mistress look as pretty as pos
sible
With the old color in her cheek, and the
old, happy light in her soft, brown eyes,
Margaret stole down stairs. But at the
parlor door sudden thought startled and
checked her
81 am thirty Eve years old to-day, and
he is now a man of fifty He has been
away for twenty years. How can hope or
fancy that he has remembered me all this
time as have thought of him." A little
sobered by this misgiving, she opened the
door.
She looked for a man almost stranger
man bent and bowed with the cares of
twenty years; man whose brow was fur
rowed, and whose statuesque beauty had
gone as if it had never been
And she saw before her Ellison Strong as
she had seen him the very day of their par
ting twenty years ago. Stately and erect
as ever with brilliant color on his cheek
and his blue eye flashing with all the fire of
early youth, and not trace of care or sor-
row to mar the beauty which she remember
ed 50 well. He sprang to meet her, and
took her by The hand, and looked down into
her eyes with searching, almost imperious
glance.
"Margaret.' said the deep, sweet voice
whose music was unchanged, II have staid
away from you whole lifetime; and at
last the craving to see or hear of you grew
too strong to be denied. came here ex-
peoting to find you happy wife, with your
children at your knee, and here you are,
solitary and alone, though young and beau
tiful as ever. How is that 2"
She gould not answer with those deep
blue eyes searching her dropping face SO in
tently. But deep crimson blush rose
slowly to her cheek, and neck, and brow,
as he drew her slowly to his side, and spoke
for her far more eloquently than even words
could do.
Il left you twenty years ago, my darling,
because | was poor man and fifteen years
your senior. am rich now, but what
about the years Margaret? They have made
me no younger, am now fifty years old to-
day."
But l am thirty-fve,' she said in low
voice. Il see no gray hairs on your brown
curls, but they begin to come in mine. Eff
ty years old to-day? You look not an hour
older than when we parted in the hall"
He bent his face down upon hers.
Margaret, you liked me then-you can
like me now-will you be my wife ?"
For an answer she lifted her lips to
his.
SIT wenty years ago you would not kiss
me you babe me to keep that kiss for the
man was to love and marry | have kept
it for you twenty years. Will you take it
now p
He held her closely to his heart in
silence.
Thirty FIVE and fifty years of age! Docs
it seem absurd to you, young lady of six
teen All me sometimes wonder if peo'
ME raa11u knom how 70 love hafora GRAY
hairs begin to come to teach them.