Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1873-04-04
THE LOVERS CAPTIVITY.

THE LOVERS CAPTIVITY.
seJohn !" said Mehitable Merritt, deci
dedly. '.if you don't behave yourself, I'll
What she would do Hetty Merritt did not
say-the sentence was terminated by laugh
that set the dimples round her mouth in mo
ton, lust az a beam of June sunshine plays
athwart cluster of red ripo cherries.
Hetty Merritt was just seventeen
plump. rosy girl with jet black hair brushed
back from low forehead, and perfectly
arcbed eyebrows that gave bewifchipg ex'
pressiou Of surprise to pair OF melting
hazel eyes.
Evidently Mr.. Ayimer was quite satisfied
with Hetty's peculiar style of beauty.
Come, Hetty," said John. "you NIGH
promise It's pine o'clock, and your faith
er will soon be home
promise, what, John p raid Hetty, de-
murely fitting square Of Turkey red patch
work to white and intently observing the
effect
Nonsense, Hetty, yon know what, very
we'll Promise to marry me before Christ
mas I tell you what, Hetty, it's all very
we'll for you to keep putting off, but l can't
stand it, what with your fathers forbiddlng
me the house, and Caleb Humans coming
here every Saturday night"
Hetty gave her pretty head toss.
--~"As if Caleb Truman's coming here
makes any difference in my feelings,
John p
"No. but Hetty, it isn't pleasant. you
know. I'm as good man as Caleb Tru.
man, if I don't own railroad shares. and
keep an account at the Brigham Bank, and
I love you. Hetty, from the very bottom of
my heart Hetty, this matter lies between
me and you oply-no other person IN the
world has right to interfere between US.
Come promise me y
He beld both her hands 10 his, and look
ed into her liquid brown eyes.
DO you love me, Hetty! !"
"You know [ love you, john
''Then we may just as well-Hush
what's tbat?'
Hetty rose to her feet with sudden scar
let suffusing brow and cheeks.
AOh, John, its father p
Suppose it is!
''But he mustn't find you here, John
Hide yourself somewhere. do"
"What nonsense, Hetty!" said the young
man, resolutely standing his ground. Il
have not come here to steal his spoons
why should steal away like detected bur-
glar 2"
"For my sake, John. O. John, if you
have ever loved me, do as l say! Not in
that closet-it is close to his bedroom not
through that window-it is nailed down
tight He's coming! Here. John. quick -
And in the drawing of breath, she had
pushed John Alymer into the square pen
du lum case of the clock, and turned the key
up on him.
..Phew jolly scrape to be in" thought
John, sand no knowing when I'll be out Of
it! Hetty's shrewd little puss, however.
and can't do better than to leave matters
in er hands,
$50 you haven't gone to bed. Hetty,"
said Deacon Merritt slowly unwinding the
two yards Of wooden comforter il which be
gener ally encased his throat of an evening.
IN Of yet, father" said Hetty picking up
her scattered bits of patchwork with glow
ing Oh eek. "Did you have pleasant
meeting p
well, yes," quoth the deacon reflective
ly, sitting down before the fire, greatly to
Hetty's consternation-she had hoped he
would have gone quietly to bed, according
to his usual custom; ''tol bly, pleasant.
Elder Jones was there, and Elder Back
stretcher, and-well, all the church folks
| pretty much Why, how red your cheeks
are, Hetty! Tired, amt you? Well, you
needn't set up for my dear; it must be get
ting late"
The deacon glanced mechanically around
at the clock. Hetty felt the blood grow
cold 10 her veins.
Twenty minutes past nine-why, 1t
| must be later than that Why, land o
Goshen The old clocks stopped r
The deacon looked thoughtfully at the
fiery backlog Hetty fdgeted uneaslly
about the room, Strengthening table covers
and setting back chairs-oh, if be would
ouly 60 to bed
As he sat there, his eyelds began to
droop, and his head to nod, somnolently
He,ty's eyes lighted up with sparkle Of
something like hope.
"Child,' he suddenly said Strengthening
himself up in the stiff-backed chair, YOU'D
better go to bed. I'll sit up a while longer
till the logs burn out"
But, father, I am not sleepy"
60 to bed, my child" reiterated the
deacon with good humored authority
that brooked no opposition, and He'ty crep
out of the room, ready to cry with anxlet,
and modification. ;.
If John will only keep quiet a LITTLE
longer she thought, sitting on the stair
where the autumn moonlight streamed il
chi ly splendor ''Father sleeps soundly y
and he is sure to 60 to sleep in his chair.
could just steal in and release him as easily
as possibfe!"
She sat there, her plump fingers inter
laced, and her eyes fixed drean'ily on tn
| n Al how N