Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1874-11-20
Ross Bently grew slightly pale as ht

| A>S@AS>S
read.
81 suppose you know that the hulk Of
Miss Stones fortune was in the hands o.
Clark. Vernon & Co.." carelesSly op
served.
II was not aware of it," Bently salo
losing another shade of color.
"Oh, we'll it was. Can anything be saved
out of the crash do you suppose!''
Not anything, I am very sure" ne
stammered. And thinking he might llS'
to mediate upon the aspect OF atfal's'
took nv departure, saying that w"ni
call before went away again, to take All!
message he might like to send.
When [ called the next day he gave me Il
letter for Margaret; but he looked any.
where but at me as | took 1T.
| caught q glimpse of Margaret's blht
dress on the piazza as WE drove up to The
hotel: a d without waiting to go to M
room first fastened to her, and gave her
the letter.
Then. much as [ would have liked to
stav until she had read it, | had no excuse
for doing so. and therefore left her.
waited with something more than curiosity
for her appearance at dinner-time, but SHE
did not come at all. I ate nothing myself,
and spent the evening pacing the plazz
with my cigar and wa ching her wi dow
But not so much as shadow OF What
w tched for crossed my vision.
Remembering Bently's face as he gave
me the letter, I could imagine he might
have written something unpleasant; but
even was not prepared for the contents
of the missive Margaret placed in IN,
hands the following morning, coming sud
denly upon me where | lounged on til,
shore.
~ suppose that was what you went to
town for, she said, with an angry scorn'
under which I qlailed. for [ felt guilty
and AS read | WINGED again.
The sounded A more disgraceful epi~-
tie never rerused. If Margaret had loved
him ever so dearly, this would certainly
have ended it. lie dissolved the engage
ment without so much us saying Shy you
leave.'' Tle did indeed say something ahont
Fastening to speak while there was yet an
uncertainty as to how seriously the failure
had involved other people. But that was
the merest gloss, and only gave Margaret
the clue TO the selfish reasons for this eX-
conduct.
| folded the letter, and gave it back t"
her without Il remark.
"Well," she asked, ''really you have
nothing to say?"
.'S'all challenge him to mortal combat
with horsewhips?' inquired.
Tears of anger spanked in Margaret s
beautiful eyes.
GLOW could you humilate me so?" she
said.
II? Miss Stonef'
Il beg your pardon, Mr.. Courtney she
said iiaughtlly.
s.And I beg yours, Miss Stone, for med
ding. suspected Mr. B,ntly, but not OF
anything quite so cod FLOODED. Shall you
break your heart about such selfish fei-
low?n
Indeed, no! but am very angry"
AT whom? him or me?"
s'At both Of YOU"
I suppose. [ must have looked terribly
abashed and cnlifpunded; I tried to, for
she put a little baud on iiy arm, and tl'eii
would have swiftly withdrawn 1t, but 1
captured the frail thing aud held it.
II suppose I ought to be very thankful
to you,'' she said, struggling a little, AID
bluslling in the most lovely manner.
IF you will permit me, I will punish
him for yon,'' | said gravely
She looked up inquiringy.
''By marrying youl''
s.Ohr'
s'Dol. It you think it wou!d?" l said
"Perhaps."
We were quite sure of it the first time
We CHANGED to meet B ntly after our mar
rage His face was as good as picture.