Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1874-05-29
Charley y" he would stay forever"

make known his errand. AT last, as
became evident that he did not intend &c
ing, and Charley could in decency wa
no longer, he opened the subject with a
Introductory remark on the fneness
the weather.
sGood weather for green things" mol
chalantly observed Mr.. Wilmington, wit
a glance at Charley easily understood.
Especially the carrot CROP returne
Charley, with an equally Ineligible loo
at his new acquaintance's luxuriant looks
which undoubtedly did bear on heauburn
After which little exchange of civilities.-
Mr.. Wilmington retired to the privacy o
his segar smoke, and Charley pr oceeded t.
make II is request.
"Well, l don't know" replied Mis-
Adela, languidly playing with her fan, tina
sort of thing is so apt to be tiresome-don
you think so?' Charley, who certainl
had not thought she found that OF an.
other sort of thing tiresome in his compa
ny, remained speechless, while she resum
ed, II am afraid you really must excuse
me this time-but dare say, Mr.. Dennis,
Miss Florence Wells would be happy to g
if you asked her."
The blood rushed to Charley's face a
this last piece of politeness, and he would
excuse her not only for that, but for all
future time; that if she We're to remain
for the rest of her natural life in Black
vile, she should be troubled with no more
tiresome attentions from him.
'sFlorry, indeed" he said to himself
Indignantly. "She may sheer if she likes,
but she's not one-half so nice as Florry-
and, take away the frizzles and tiounces, |
do believe not one-half so pretty ~
He really did not believe it, none the
less that it WAS wounded vanity which had
opened his eyes to the perception. A nd
with all his anger and modification, there
was mingled an odd sense of relief, which
would seem to indicate that it was nothing
deeper than his fancy which had been
taken by Miss Brent.
ssWllat if [ were to ask Florry 20 his
reflections went on. "Only it is so long
since I've been near her. But, then, she IS
such sweet-tempered little thing. I've
half mind to risk it," And the end OF it
was that he did risk it; and that was how
he came to give Julia Willis occasion to
quote very unAattering old proverb on
his behalf. And now, as he has waited at
the gate quite long enough, we will let
him in, and see how he Jared within doors.
1t was an absurdly constrained inter-
view. Neither Florry nor Charley felt
equal to bearing the burden of the CONVEX
sation. Julia could have done it well
enough, if she had chosen, but she would
not. So there were meaningless remarks,
interspersed with pauses longer than the
code of well-regulated society admits.
cit is quite while since was here, :"
Numbered Charley after one of these, in
sheer despair of anything better to say.
II wonder what you are here for now 20
retorted Julia, unable longer to keep 81
lence, while Florry stitched as if for deal
life.
Charley could not very we'll answer the
truth, and, not knowing what else to an
swer, he held his tongue. Julia, however,
had no scruples to hold hers, which, more
over, at the best of times was apt to be an
unruly member, so she said in her down
right way.
II suppose that Miss Brent has had
enough Of you, and given you leave to re.
member old acquaintance at last
This hit the case so exactly, that it left
Charley without a single word to say for
himself. Perceiving which, Julia laughed
in scornful triumph, and, rising from hel
seat added ironically.
cit is hard to have to lose the pleasure
Of your society now that it is grown such
Il rarity, but have an engagement, so
hope you will excuse me-" With which
parting, squib, and whisper in passing
abe firm, Florry ~ SIZE left the room. And
we cannot do better than follow her.
Having proceeded to fulfill her engage
ment-the rummaging of chest of draw
ers, up stairs-Julia who guessed Charley's
errand well enough, waited for him tt
make it known and be gone. But never
surely, had simple proposal for a drive
taken such a while in asking and refusing
Exactly how long she had to wait, julia
could not say. but Il very long time, indeed
measured by her patience. just as tn,
last thread of that was giving way, sh,
heard the outside door close, and, flying tt
the window, saw Charley Dennis's hea(
bohbing in and out between the tall holly
hook borders. In less time than it take
to tell it, she was down in the parlor
where she found Florry still stitchin!
away, as if the completion of six-years-olt
Harry's frock was the one thing for whicl
the whole universe was waiting.
"Ah!" said Julia, exultantly. Us she ad
vanced, "revenge is sweet, let the moralist
say what they like! haven't seen you,
don't know when, with such nice color
Well, hope you've sent Mr.. Charley Den
mis- properly about his business ~
"N-no," said Florry, with an increas
of the nice color.
"No!'' repeated Julia, looking doubtful
ly at her, "what do you mean by No? %
What have you done, then-never prom
Used to go with him, surely 20
Give promised to-marry him." an
swered Florry, in a voice between laugh
ing and crying.
Julia dropped into the nearest seat.
s'Well, you are a little fooln' said she
when she could find her tongue.
Was she not ? But then, you see, sh
loved him; a poor excuse, no doubt; bu
the only one her historian can find to offe
iE her defense.-Aldine for Nay.
| LOVES YOUNG DREAM.-A few day
| no tuo ri, olnut Woo re, of 70.