Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1872-08-09

ing John Miller came in, and she told hin
my cherished hope and secret as good joke
Together they ate the country pumpkin
and John made sneering remarks that stuns
me almost to madness. l think woult
have struck him to the ground, but kind
ly hand was placed upon my arm, and turn
ing, I found the squire had entered thu
room unperceiyed Sternly rebuking the
others, he led me away. and sent me long
journey the next day, upon some privat.
business. When | returned, John was
gone with his bride. The old squire left
her thirty thousand dollars, but he left me
the farm. I was dearer to him than his
own niece. Herman, don't ask me to well
| cannot DO it,
You know her parents are both dead.
She lives with her fathers sister,
L know. John died insolvent, in spite
Of his sharp practice and avarice. Arabella
jonly lived few years after her husband
Another long silence followed. Then
Herman spoke.
Uncle James, cannot give Fanny up.
But promise never to bring her home as
my wife until you consent to the marriage.
Will you see her?
No, no! Wait till I die, Herman.
won't live very long, Doctor Hodges says
| Uncle james?
1 did not tell you before, lad, for fear of
paining you. Doctor Hodges said last week
that I was failing I made him tell me. -
I may live few years longer; I may be
called any day.
And [ was worrying you,' said the young
man, penitent and fearful
No, lad /; I like to know all you are do
ing. You will come home often p
Do you think I will 60 away again My
place is here
I should be very glad to have you, Her
man. It is hard to find an honest overseer
when the farmer himself is sick. But your
prospects 10 town, Herman 2
Let them 60 Uncle James, do you
think I could leave you now? You have
been more than father to me; let me now
fill sons place to YOU
And Fanny?'
I'VE will talk Of her some other tine
Tell me how farm matters stand
The conversation that followed awakened
still further the more kindly emotions of the
young mans heart, and bis remorse for the
past years absence. It seemed like de-
sertion, when he heard of his uncle's loneli-
ness; Of how badly cut door matters had
gone, in hired hands; of the waste, the do
nestle difficulties and losses
L would not have told you all this, if you
had not offered to stay the old man said
I should have staid before, had l known
you were SO i'll. You have always been
about when I came over
Il have never been confined to nv room.
Still I grew weaker. wish We had good
servant. Eliza is very wasteful, impudent,
and I think, dishonest
I will drive over to Tourney to morrow,
and see if a good servant can be found,
upcle.'
But the first call the next day was not in
search of a servant, but to the doctors, and
Herman Wilson came out of his Office with
very grave face.
1 am glad you are to be at home,' the
doctor had said. Though the first relief
may not be as complete as you would de-
SIRE
What do you mean? You said that
rest and freedom from care or responsibility
might prolong uncle's life for years.
I say SO still, But the first reaction
from the long strain and worry may be seri-
GUS. He has kept up by sheer force of
will; now, when be may rest, he will prob
ably be i'll for many days. I wish he had
good servant Eliza is not a pleasant
nurse, should Judge. She looks to me as
if she had lived upon lemons and pickles all
her life.'
4 am going to look for good servant to-
day.
why don't you take the old man a nice
little niece?'
'All in good time. doctor. I must say
good.day. I have to tell Mr.. Grey of my
new plans, and find servant
'Gooi-day, then. Send for me, if am
needed
TIE day seemed a long one to James
Wilson, watching for the nephew who was
like con in his heart. Eliza, resenting
the new arrangement that threatened to dis
turb her much-abused reign, was slamming
doors, and making kitchen.jars which was
trying to the invalid's nerves. A dinner
badly cooked and served with bangs of spite
and Immature, cid not improve matters, aad
made the arrival Of Herman's companion al
most as welcome as himself. For he had
found a servant. whom he escorted to the
house with pardonable pride, and introduced
as
annie, uncle. She has been highly re-
commended to me, and I think will suit
u.s.
L will try to make you comfortable, sir,
said the new girl, modestly and Uncle
James decided that the sight of her face and
sound Of her voice were sufficient for that
She was not pretty, though her face was
very pleasant to look at, and her voice. was
still more pleasant to hear. She was neatly
dressed as became her station and before
she took off hat or cloak, she had made the
room seem like another place.
Uncle James wondered how few light
touches here and there, gentle little stir
of the dull fire, dropping of the curtains,
a little witch of the tablecloth, could do so
much.
This is the living room, suppose she
said, presently. L think I shall ask for an
hour or two alone here to- morrow
Just as you please
will you see Eliza now? Herman
asked
Yes. Is she in the kitchen p
L have told ANNIE Herman said, TO
keep Eliza. if she will be reasonable, and
submit to her.
Two girls, Hermann
annie is to be our housekeeper, uncle
and Eliza is to do rough work 7 must be