Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1875-02-26

FRIDAY, FEBRUAR Y 10. lS
like, and my voice full of tears. But m
: eyes were dry, quite dry, for Roger mus
not see my weakness when he was gon
there would be days and nights to cry il
and then my tears need not be restrained
So, waiting bravely for his coming,
turned me, and shielding my eyes with m
hand, l watched the ofing, where the ship
rocked. The surf-lines come booming up t,
the foot of the rock, frothing and foamins
angrily the gulls wheeled above my heat
| shrieking and dipping into the white cap
ped water. And then. watching the sur
60 down, began to wonder at Rogers
delay. We had walked upon the beach ev
cry pleasant evening, but never before had
| I awaited his coming at this spot. And
thinking how pleased he would be to find
me so much nearer than he anticipated,
smiled to myself, as / marked at last his
familiar form moving along The beach
But where was he going ? He directed his
steps to little nook or cove on the shore,
where had never visited, for he had
warned me Of the danger when the tide
J was in.
| AS he entered the sheltered corner I
perceived that the place was occupied, for
there was CLEAN of a gay dress, and then
Isaw, crouched upon the beach below, a
slender form. It was jeanette Dent, the
daughter Of a fisherman near by, and my
hsart gave great, angry bound. as saw
that Roger evidently expected to meet her
there. Then saw her rise from her re-
/ cumbent position on the sand, fling
| back her long black hair from her hand
some face, and then turning towards my
Roger, she seized his hand with passion
ate gesture. But waited to see no more
Down from the rock dashed, and turned
me homeward. Then 1 composed myself,
and walking calmly to the hotel, sought
my own apartment. Ny mother-gentle
soul ttributing it all to my parting with
Roger, tried to soothe me land I, feeling it
best to allow her thus to deceive herself,
did not attempt to explain. In a short
I heard his voice asking the servant if we
were disengaged, and regardless of conse-
quences, sent down message that I was
too ill to see him on that, the last even
ing that we were to be together. The next
morning before the ship sailed, wrote
line to Mr.. Roger Dermott, and returning
book which had found awaiting me the
night before. told him-with no expla-
nation-that he was free, our engagement
was at an end. And with quiet scorn 1
warned him not to write me, for if he did, J.
I should burn his letters unopened and
Roger Dermott knewtthat I never broke
my word. Then I Slipped his ring into
the envelope, and SO, it was all over.
After that we returned to our home in
New York, and there the fever seized me.
went down to the gates of death; but
my feet were stayed at the portals, 50 l
came back again to life, with it's duties
and stern realities. One blow followed
another in quick succession. 1 had hardly
regained my strength when my mother,
Frustrated by my long illness, set forth on
that last, lonesome journey that we all
must take alone. With her dear hands in
mine watched her as she 'sfell asleep"
She died unconscious of what had come
between Roger and me, and our two names
were the last upon her lips. Died! and we
who had always been together were parted
forever now. So l saw it, for the first
time, 'the old, old fashioned, DEATH" but,
''thank God! all who see it, for that older
fashion vet of immOrtalitvIo
stood alone in the world-God help the
poor woman who has that to say Of her.
self-and with woman's very precarious |
chances Of earning an honest livelihood.
But was fortunate in finding friend,
and just at the blacklist our Of my night
1.-THE hour before the day-dawn); just when
my heart had failed me. and, desolate and
alone, I felt ''hedged in" by all the pitiless
world-a kind hand was stretched out to
save me from despair. An old time friend
of my father offered me the charge Of a
circulating library, and. too thankful for
words, w1ung his hand in gratitude. and |
turned my face in the direction of my |
work. 1t was in the beginning of winter,
and glad was Of the employment which
would secure me from want during that |
inclement season, and was ready for the
hardest and most irksome task. Mr.. Lee,
my employer, was genial old gentleman,
perfect "book-worm, and soon found
my labor very engrossing. Among books
could not be lonely, and so the days wore
way, and winter glided into spring, and
still was employed.
Some three years had elapsed since my
mothers death, when one day there hap
pened to me one of those inexplicable &C.
currences which no one can account for,
which puzzles the wisest and most learned |
of scientists and scholars; some call it pro-
vidential interposition. Now, l am SIM
pie little woman, and perhaps I do not |
reason very soundly, or more likely co
not reason at all, and just arrive at the
conclusion Of such matters by the road of
my own intuition. But, like to think /
that my mothers spirit is in better land,
looking upon me, and knowing now the
mistake under which she labored when
she died-concerning Boyer Dermott and
me-with loving care directed me that day.
At least it will do no harm to think so.
At all events, going one day into an I'M
used room, stumbled over small wooden
box. s'Bless me!'' cried Mr.. Lee, looking
a little vexed, ''if there isn't that box of
second hand books which purchased ever
so long ago, and then forgot all about
them. They comprise some valuable works,
and will be useful to u.s." So saying, he
hastily removed the lid of the box, and |
was soon assisting to assert the contents.
Was it any wonder that grew pale land