Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1873-09-05
LOTTIE's FILTRATION.


You have Airted with him long enough
Lottie, said Marion De Lisle, to her prett
I step-daughter Adrian Command is not
man to be ,riAed with at pleasure and
you mean to marry him, you must be more
circumspecf.
But he hasn't asked me yet mamma
You know quite well, dear, that he i
only waiting an opportunity, said Mrs. d.
Lisle 'and really, he is too good man tt
be made miserable by any woman
One would think you We're in love witt
him, and not L. sail Lotte De Lisle, witt
little sheer If we did not all know how
devoted you were to poor papa 7
A slight blush crossed Marion De Lislo's
fair cheek.
you know the circumstances OF my mar
riage with your father-that ne made
bargain with my father for my hand anc
fortune. and that married him in obedience
10 my fathers dying wish. You never
thong ht that loved him, Lottle!'
perhaps you do love Adrian, then J
Il have Known Mr. Connard many years
nv dear, and know him to be an honorable
upright gentleman, replied Marion 3D.
Lisle. with voice that Gid not faler
believe he loves you, and that you would bt
happy as his vile. | wish, Lottie, that yor
would stop flirting, and begin life in earn
est
Give me three months longer, and vii
make any promise you desire. But jus
now, there is that splendid Guy Merryman
besleged by all the prettiest girls in town
and he has invited me to ride with him thi
afternoon, and SO you see, mamma, | mus
have one more Irritation.
VIVA. if it should be the one too many
dear ? Mr.. Connard has been very patien
with you
If he loves me as you say, he will val
for me three months, and | do really think
I NAV be persuaded to marry him when the
summer is over
And Lottie danced away to make hersel
bewilderiug for the promise ride, and Mrs
De Lisle sat down in the cool, vine-shadee
parlor to dream over the pleasant youthful
GAYS when she was Marion Field
A half hour later she heard Lo.tie anf
Mr.. Merryman laughing in the hall-then
the sound of carriage wheels; and then hel
face dropped lower and lower, until it rest
ed in her white hands
Marion !!
1t was softly spoken, but it brought hel
to her feet, the rosy bushes rioting in hel
cheeks.
There was Adrian Connard atandiug be
fore her, and, before she could resist, he hac
imprisoned her two little hands.
Marion he began agalu 1 heard every
word you said to Lottie an hour ago
came here to see you both, and was tempted
by some kim fairy to sit down in your littl'
rose-arbor and DIRE m an hour away. You
windows were open, and the wind brough
your words to me-.
Then, said Marion, softly, you know
how much | wish for your happiness
I wish did know sincerely you wish it,
he said, his dark eyes fixed on hers. i cal
almost read it in your eyes, Marion. d.
you know | used to think there were nj
eyes in the world half SO bright as yours
There is no one SO useful as good oil
Father Times in teaching US our mistakes
she said. You have learned since
No Marion, | have learned no new les
son. The old one was two thorough
learned to be ever forgotten
Marion De Lisle could think Of no wor
to say
Seven years ago, Marion YOU we're tn
one woman 10 the world fer me! | love
YOU witt a mans devotion then. | hav
but added the devotion of these seven lon
years. Will you be my wife now Marion
What could she say +? She had loved hir
wears before, but never until that blissfr
moment had she dreamed that her love wa
returned
But he held her hands fast, add she ha
no way to hide her blushiug face, unless
Well, l don't pretend to tell the why an
the wherefore, but she found no fault whe
he drew her head down to his shoulder;
and kissed t red cheeks and the trenholm
mouth.
When Lotte came back, just at twi ligh
she found Mr. Connard and her step-mothe
sitting together in the parlor.
The former held open the door for bel
and extended bis hand.
4 Miss Lottie,' he said, pausing midwa
in the sentence, your mother has proml'
ed
."She had no rig ht to promise, cried Ao
tie, angrily I was only flirting with yot
and I've-Tve promised to marry Guy Me
riman.'
Marion De Lisle came forward, and p,
both her arms around her and kiss her
And now you may congratulate mt
dear for Mr.. Connard tells me that
loves me, and have promised to be b
wife
Lottie was dumb with amazement bt
in moment recovered her self.possessior
Then we will have two weddings at once
7 she said, laughing, only Guo insists on b
ing married next month"; mamma
He is a sensible man, said Adrian Co
nard, turning to look at the woman he hs
loved so long, and If your mother thinks
have waited long enough, why not have
double wedding :?
And what did she say What would ar
of you have said, if you had been in h
: place