Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1875-09-10

released and sent to his fathers brother
where he j: doing we'll and Edna rente
her home and came here, hoping for highe
wages than she could earn in her owl
town. l, knowing all, advanced her inter
est in every way. Month after month, de
nying herself everything but the bares
| necessities Of life, She has sent her earn
ings to wipe off her brothers debt. Will
the rent of the house and what she save:
here she has pad it all, the last install
ment being acknowledged in q letter
handed to her Yesterday. You can under
stand why she could not take even IL few
dollars to subscribe for a present to me
when tell you the two years expired on
the very day when the last hundred dollars
Was received Now, Walter, you know
Bdnas secret. Judge Tor yourself if she is
II miser"
.She is as noble and self-sacrifcing as
my heart always told me she was, in spite
of appearances" said Walter, warmly.
ssTo-morrow will see if che can ever re-
turn my love"
| .sNot tomorrow" said Mr. Rodman,
smiling; edna went home this afternoon,
| her task finished Out of the sum paid
her for the last week of Ter toll here, she
begged my acceptance of the copy OF Long
| fellow upon the table beside you, asking
me, with tears in her eyes. to believe she
was grateful for all my kindness to her.
Let her rest little from her long strain of
self-sacrifce and toll, Walter, and then, if
you can win her love, I will gladly give
her daughters place in my heart.''
Winter had come and gone, and spring
sunshine was making all nature glad,
when, one CHEEKY morning, the train
through Il left a single passenger at
the village station. He was tall, hand
some man, dressed well, without foppish-
ness, and he inquired of Il man at the sta
ton for the residence Of Miss Churchill.
ssThe first white cottage as you turn the
second street from here, y was the reply.
1t was soon found, and at the gate the
traveller halted The low windows open
ing upon wide verandah were open, and
he could see the tasteful parlor. Near the
window stood q handsome woman, trailing
vine over q network of string. Her
face was partly averted; but the stranger
could see that all the palor and sadness
of the past were gone.
The large, dark eyes were earnest, but
no longer mourntnl, and the lips were
parted as if smiles would come easily.
Upon the graceful figure was a dress of
fieecy muslin tastefully made and trimmed
with soft lace ruffies at throat and wrist.
and q few well-chosen ornaments. Sud
denly some inner sense seemed to tell Ed
ma she was watched. She turned her face,
and saw Walter Rodman looking earnest
ly, wistfully at her. A quick flush swept
across her cheek, and her eyes lighted glad
ly as she stepped across the low window
sill to greet him.
ssNay I come in?' he asked, opening
the little gate.
II am very glad to welcome you,'' she
answered, and then extended her hand as
he sprang lightly up che steps.
1t is not fair to repeat lovers talk. Suf-
flee it that before Walter left the little cot
taGe to take the return train, he had won
the dearest wish of his heart, and when
summer roses boomed, Edna became the
bride of the junior partner of Meredith &
| Co., the new firm of the factory where she
had worked so faithfully.