Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1872-10-11
o Ada, begging her to come. And she

isbipg Fred from her heart-daily he grey
dearer And now the poor girl upraided her
self for ingratitude in thus allowing an
stranger to share the heart that should be
long entirely to such devoted father a
hers.
Fred s visit was DRAWN near its close. 4
few days previous to his leaving he fount
Flory alone, and told her his hearts story
But, poor fellow, his hopes received very
sudden check: Flory dismissed him-sol
: emily declaring she should never marry.
So Fred went away very miserable; and
Flory's bright eye grew sad, and her merry
voice ceased its carrolling about the house
Her father grew very uneasy, and declared
she must be ILL., So, to relieve her fathers
anxiety, Flory feigned happier mood. But
somehow her efforts were of little avail. -
Capt. Arden's jokes grew less frequent, and
his merry, ringing laugh was seldom heard.
Even Flory's winning little winning ways
failed to satisfy or make him happy.
i Truly wonderful change had come over
the once happy little household.
"What is the matter with Flory?" and
"Wbat troubles papa?' we're the thoughts
which agitated the minds Of father and
daughter.
Ada Foster was the only wise one of the
three She knew well enough what the
trouble was with the captain, as we'll as
Flory For how could she mistake the de-
votion of Capt Arden's manner to herself !?
Many times, when suddenly raising her eyes,
she had seen his gazing earnestly and admir-
ingly on her Then quickly they would
seek Flory, and with sigh and depre-
eating look, he would leave the room.
Yes, Ada understood all about the trouble,
and resolved to put the minds Of her friends
all right Their hearts were just as they
should be- She rejoiced in the discovery
she had made, for the weeks she spent in
the SOC iety of the captain had revealed to
her such true nobility Of character that she
had grown to think of him with feelings
which no other man had ever inspired
Yes, Ada loved him. She did not try to
deceive herself about it. So, to save four
persons from misery, she resolved to bring
Flory to her senses first, and trust to chance
for the captain following in the same
course.
One evening when they were out for
drive, an opportunity was presented for Ada
to "open Flory's eyes," as she said to her.
self.
They were nearing fine old mansion to
which Flory pointed and said:
"What a grand old place that is How l
should like to own it."
Il think it a very gloomy looking place,
and would like home Of more cheerful as
pect," replied Ada
"Well, it has very gloomy look. But
there are strange folks living in it-only
a old bachelor and an old maid. They sell
dom have visitors, and only live for each
other. The servants speak Of their being
the saddest couple ever seen." said Flory.
II do not wonder. I've heard the story
Of those poor, mistaken folks, both having
sacrificed their hearts best love for the sake
Of each other, blindly thinking they should
find happiness, or if not that, content in do
ing what they called duty. This unnatural
way of living never brings either, only
years Of disappointment and ceaseless re-
grets"
ooh, Ada! Can it ever become SO with
papa or p
"Flory, | must answer your inquiry by
another. Are you happy now in the sacri-
fee you are making? ?"
II may be by.and-by," answered Flory,
trying to repress the sigh which would come
nevertheless
II think not Flory neither are you ma
king your father or poor Fred very happy.
Ada, tell me, what is tbs matter with / /
papa Does be suspect my heart has wan
dered little from him? Yes, it is this, !
know which makes him so sad Oh, how
ungrateful have bean! Dear, good, noble
papa !"
''No. Flory, ii is not your love for Fred
that is troubling your father, am quite
sure. Have you never thought that per-
chance he, as well as you, may have taken
soma one to share his love? - asked Ada,
delicate blush suffusing her face
"Papa's heart given to another No, no
he would not break his pledge to me-"
"No more than you have with him. But
you see how it is, little one. We cannot
regulate the impulses Of the heart Love
wanders whittier it pleases, and think it is
the contest against this that is causing all
our trouble just now"
"Our trouble, Ada? Are you unhappy
too ?" asked Flory, looking inquiringly into
her friends eyes.
"Only-because Of my dearest friends
unhappiness.
FIory had fixed her eyes very earnestly
on her friend. She continued to gaze for
some minutes, tkcn light seemed to dawn
upon her. She caught Ada's hand in hers,
exclaiming-
ooh, know now How blind I've been!
Oh, Tn SO glad SO very, very glad, Ada /!
Hush, don't say another word We shall
be SO happy now!"
'Stop you mad cap! What do you
know ?" asked Ada.
''That Pm going to have James turn his
horses heads toward home. want to put
my arms around papa's neck, tell him my
secret, and win his
"Aud betray auother's, Flory!"
~>"No, no., I've grown very wise at last
You darling Ada p
A very little while after Capt. Arden sat
in his library, looking anything but happy.
A sigh had scarcely escaped his lips when
his neck was encircled by Flory's arms
And she asked, with comical little smile :
"Papa, what is the reason you and l are
not just as happy as we used to be ~
He drew her within his arms, and said
"You're sure we are not, my darling p
Perfectly SO, papa ~
"What can do to make you so, my
child ?" be asked
"By being so yourself, papa"
He shook his head, and was about to re-
ply, when, burying her bright head in his
bosom, she murmured low:
Papa, do we not both of us want to dis