Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1874-07-24

impotent wrath against treachery he was
powerless to resent. He was silent many
minutes, seemingly forgetful of her pres
ence, and Alice watched earnestly the
changes of his noble face, over which fit
ted suchVaried emotions. At last returned
to her with smile, pathetic i'll its proud
mockery, and said,
"Little woman. you are wise in your
generation how came you to understand
poor human nature so well? How did
you buy such knowledge -
A flash Of cruel pain passed over her
quiet face, and her coutenance was
sstablet of unutterable thoughts" as she
abruptly and bitterly replied,
II bought it, as we all do, with my heart
in exchange for it. But, Cousin Phil, y said
she, with sudden change, of manner" |
am not making confessions, it is you, for
don't you remember your promise to tell
me your progress, &c ? Yet you have told
me nothing, and III just bet DIS boys say
you have ''gone.and done ito out of pure
J weakness, and you such a big, strong man
What tender.f female do you suppose would
let herself be wound like a thread around
your finger, as you have let yourself be ?
All cousin, they are ''Wise as serpents,' ,,
but not at all dove-like in their innocence,
of how to fool you big, laundering, awk-
ward, blind men and the more you ought
to be on your guard against them, yet are
not. Now tell me truly all about it, for
indeed you know how earnestly [ am inter
ested in your happiness, and how truly l
wish you to be happy with good loving
wife. What was the troubl6 with you and
Lillian % she asked after q moment, as
she saw him hesitate.
"Well ~ he said, "she was provoked at
my leaving mperformed a promise I had
made her, and which [ might have done
but for He stopped confusedly, and
with some irritation of manner.
"Ah - exclaimed Alice seornfuIly, II
understand, you need tell me no more, [
guess it all, Delilah again of course, what
woman would doubt it Tell me truly,
did you ever explain it to Lillian ?"
"No," said he, shortly, II did not, she
didn't ask it,
"Ah yes,'' said Alice as she laughed
sneeringly and scornfully, II see too well
you could not answer without going against
your judgment, and so you let Madame
Delilah have her way, and fool you to
the top of her bent. Its the same old story,
the innocent must suffer fo1 the guilty. and
(syou threw away the diamoud for piece
of glass, not the first man that has done
that Now tell me one other thing. Are
you going to marry her 20
Marry her Marry her!" repeated he
jumping up and stamping his foot vindic-
lively on the hearth 'No; SO help me
God nerer, unless am greater dolt than
I think | am. I know her now! thank
God am out of her tolls at last - GAS he
! sank back in his chain, the full magnitude
| OF his danger, seemed to rush over him,
and his face was truly TRANSPORTED with
the JOY and gratitude of his escape. Alice
was actually crying from pure sympathy
and relief
'sWhy my little COUSIN" exclaimed
Philip, as he turned and saw the tears in
her eyes; eff you are not actually crying
because I have escaped that wicked Wo-
mans snares ~
''No. that [ am not" she replied ener-
getically s'but oh cousin Phil. | an glad
more glad than you'll ever guess, or l can
tell you, for knew how horrible the dam
ger was"
He put his arm around her, and kissed
her silently and gratefully. Presently
Alice looked up with a roguish smile, and
the tears yet sparkled in Ter eyes, as she
said
''Cousin Philip, have one more piece Of
advice to give you, it is this"
A strange dawn seemed to pass over the
strong mans face, that look of happy re-
cognition with which the weary watcher
greets the pure rays of the sun which
drive from his heart the remembrance of
the weary stumbling of the night, and seiz-
ing her hand, he said in voice full of ten
der love,
No! no more advice Alice. Give me
what is far better-give me this
He had reached home at last.