Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1873-07-11

/ Kisses Jnere ior you
| Herbert Wentworth opened bis arms
clasp her, but Aimee bad fed away.
Three happy, but uneventful months gil
ded by. The beautiful Aimee Rochelle hat
rejected lovers innumerable.
At length, one, more perseverlng thar
his rivals, importuned Mr.. Wentworth fol-
the hand Of his lovely ward
The day he SO dreaded had arrived hi
cherished bud had expanded into flower
and other eyes had beheld its beauties, an(
other hands would fain gather to transplan
it in their own homes.
This letter concerns you, my child,
said Herbert to his ward, lit is from
young Frank, as ho is called. He asks 10,
consent to address you, and my influence ii
] bis favor. He is wealthy ; but you, Aimee
] will net be portionless. The money you
! father left has been well invested, and wher
! [ render up my trust"
! "hr. Wentworth" she exclaimed, ''nev
er let the subject Of money be named be
tween yeu and me-
"What answer then shallI give % SAID
her guardian. t3aS
''Tell Frauk Slater I decline bis offer"
pause well, my dear it is most elgi
BILE one. he is Of coed family, bears an If
reproachable name
DO you wish me to marry this young
man p
She looked up at him, and as she waited
his reply, the color Of her cheek faded te
an ashen whiteness.
Eyes, for I think ii most suitable, anG
doubt not you viii! be happy
HAPPY Do net mock me with thu
word p
Aimee clasped her hand as she spoke
then, casting upon him one reproachfu
glance, she huriiedIy left the room
Herbert Wentworth started Ia those
harsh, impetuoas tones. he hardly recog.
lized the sweet voice of Aimee. nor iu her
wild, deapaiging attitude, her childiike gen
tleness.
what can it mean p he cried and
after some moments of wondering thought,
he slowly and reheotively followed his ward
to her own little sitting room.
Size vas not there but on the. table was
her open desk, aud spread over it were let
tiers. as if hastily torn from their enclosures
his own letters which she had treasured
He looked again. There was small like
ness. Aimee must have painted that from
memory.
'Oh, my God j. he exclaimed, "hast
Thou, then such deep happiness in store for
me ?''
A white figure was slowly pacing the
garden in 1.-THE dark walk" as Aimee named
It, and which she said she hated for its
gloom. And now, with dropping head and
arms hanging hstlessly down, the poor girl
sought its shade.
Aimee, my child y
Ibid you call me, sir :"
He raised the little, cold, trembling
hands, aud held them il bis own.
is your old love and friendship broken,
that you speak to me with such for
nality p
'If--if-I marry Frank-it will be prop
err she sobbed.
'You SHALL not marty him! | cannot part
from you, my darling my happiness the
angel Of my house."
HGA Jot w tUp Wl5u u4C W lcasC
you p
do I wish it? Would I Danish the
blessed sunshine from my path p
The blush returned to the fair checks,
which she laid down upon Herbert's arm.
Aimee, . he continued, II love you too
fondly for my own peace, and for that cause
| urge this marriage"
She looked up proudly and bravely.
"Aud |, Herbert Wentw orth, care for
none but you in the wide world And ali
when rushed away to destroy your dear
letters-and-we!l, never mind what else
it almost broke my heart"
"But, Aimee. think well before you de-
eide before you accept an old fellow whose
hair and beard are already turning gray
Herbert, you are not old; you never will
be in my eyes, aad you are far hapdsomer
than Frank Slater -,and.-I love you, dear
Herbert"
She could say no more, for his kisses
closed her lips.
And now, when they speak of the Ole
days Of their brief ccurtship, Herbert will
sometimes sdd
Remember, little wife, I did not coax
you"
But Aimes. only laughs as she re
plies
"Ah yes, it was too bad. I was com
PEELED to do the coaxing"
But Aimee Wentworth never regretted
her choice, and a happier couple does no
exist, in all this fair, broad land.