Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1874-02-06


suffering of the creator along with thu
glory. The being of gifts is cratic. HI
cannot grow like a tree, adding ring tt
ring, till he stands hoary and fully devel
oped. Rather is he like Tightening, which
is forever chatting, yet is always the same
the child of the clouds.
But Mandy had learned the picture of
love. 1t is natural to her type to conceal,
even with poignant suffering their sacred
feelings.
Aurora put cushion beside her knee,
reached for her child, and began to dress
the heavy locks of 'Mandy's head. Why
what pretty hair you have, darling = she
said, gathering the mass in both hands,
Soft, too, turning coil over her finger,
and bright as bronze So long for child
ling's hair. How old are you p she drew
| it from the forehead and FURNISHED all it's
length.
i think 1 must be Fifteen replied Man
dy.
I4OttFy lttulD IlCCCC. w lily ID
scarcely longer now
Miss Aurora crnkled it over the brown
front, and turned up 'Mandy's face to see
the effect. At the moment lovely tint
grew through it, as rose color grows
through November night-skies. Aurora
saw the eyes were deep, and brooding with
thought. Sc drew the face against cher
shoulder and kissed it. And in kissing it
she sealed a loyal heart to herself in love,
such as few mortals are blessed with.
While the storm ragged without like a
mad and baffed world, this child slept in
her comforter's arms. 1 wonder will she
lie so, while she is resting from her stormy
passage, in the arms of the Best Comfort
er.
The Judge was a short, but dignifed
man. Between the cold, calm lashes of
eyes, his nose rose like cliff :perpendicu-
lar for long distance, but with an upper
slope toward the brow.
Two things absorbed him-the law and
his daughter The law first, as the grand
est of all human conceptions, and struc
ture to be maintained at any cost; tenn
pie demanding priesthood. His daugh-
ter, as the flower of his individual life.
The Judge was a just man, but awfully
severe. Culprits who stood under his SEN
tence expected nothing but the rigor of
the law. He had bitter enemies among
criminals.
There was man who came down step
by step to degradation but his career was
concealed one till circumstances hem
med him in, brought him to the bar, and
fastened his crime upon him. He had in
fiuential friends, whose money brought ell
oquence and tricks of practice to bear in
his favor. The bald-headed Judges nose
stood liks rocky promontory against
these proceedings. Believing the man
guilty, he ruled his case accordingly, and
in the sequel sentenced him to full term
of imsrisonment.
This man took occasion to hiss curse
at the Judge as he was led past
iii strike you in the core of your life for
this rhe vowed, glaring on that unmoved
promontory. You brought me to shame
III bring you to grief p
Inside Of walls he brooded, all his evil
centering in one hatred. While the hon
orable This and the Reverend That, his
lovely wife and disconsolate friends ceas
ed not day and night to make intercession
for him with the Governor. So, when
pardon brought him out, he had a ripe
heart, ready to burst into the crimson flow
er Of murder.
Tomorrow evening" said Aurora, get
ting the childs face in her hands. This
is New Years eve. What happens to-mor-
row night, little one?'
Your wedding.'
Hush = with quick hand over MAN.
dy's mouth. Jealous of it yet, as if it
were secret You've been waiting like
dear little patience. 1 told Jane to bring
you to my room. He stayed so long, the
incorrigible bore p said Miss Aurora,
drawing her face to severity. But he only
came last week, and has seen so little of
me. Besides, this was the last evening
Miss Aurora ever was to bless his sight,
Well pardon the Captain. Now let us go
down before the lights are turned out 1
want you to sing for me. Isn't it all 60
ing to be beautiful for you darling p talk
ed on Aurora, whose tongue was in prac-
tice. Il told you your voice would make
your way. You'll have to study hard, of
course, but music doesn'nt seem work to
you. And in little while you shall come
out to San Francisco to me. How chang
ed you are !. said Aurora, Selling the girl
and whirling her for inspection, as if it
had struck her suddenly. For Mandy had
been learning and living intensely. She
sat down and sung. And I am glad, that
in that last hour, she sung her best. Her
soul wentrejoicing out.
When they went up stairs together, it
was late. But Aurora still fitted restless
ly.
A man S feet were on the lower step of
the stairs. The house was dark, excepting
GllttI ettSu IOOill, WHeIe ue KNEW Tie d uuSe
darling was sitting.
'Cuddle at my feet, dearie,' she said.-
Let us get close together and watch the
CRATE awhile. I'll turn the gas low. There.
Here you are my little girl ! I love YOU
The mans feet were midway of the
stairs, still and supple as a cat was he.
Allrora's arms folded her youngling in.
'Iknow you love me- she whispered
But tell me so tonight, little one. Tell
me You never have said it =
MANDY lifted her face-a rapt, con-cen-
tered face, and breathed, as men breathe
consecrating VOWS, L loue you !!