Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1875-06-25

tn OH6 VI Ills cOdG DuGCOnS--'loU any OF yOt
es city friends VIM
II ''No one shall win me from you'll" e.
A. claimed jeremiah, $50 mike haste for til
% wedding!''
D II know attracted HIM" Melinda e1
d claimed as the door closed behind hin
S ''Won't the girls be mad, though, whe
f they know it!''
jeremiah walked home, feeling tolerabl
comfortable.
"I'm sure now! But If L didn't forge
Q her name again. I must get her to opel
| the shutters so that I can see betters"
At evening, the other sister got home
and Jerusha summoned her Abigail.
'sWas MI. Sykes here to day, Betsy?"
The usual plunge forward as answer.
s'Did he come in?''
Another plunge.
"Did he stay long?''
''Little while"
clipping against hope, no doubt" MUIR
INJURED Jerusha, and Betsy departed, not
feeling called upon to volunteer any in
formation.
For several days Alvina noticed an an
xiety on the part of her sisters which they
vainly strove to hide. Jerusha, especially,
grew alarmed at her lovers absence. and
doubts Of his constancy and visions of
S'breach of promise" suits haunted her dis
turbed fancies, while Melinda, for awhile,
bore her lovers absence with great equani-
nifty, but, as it grew prolonged, became
nervous in her turn. Finally the two sis
tiers had another call from home, leaving
Alvina in charge Of the ouse, and each
one sought her with the identical request:
eff MI. Sykes, OF any one 1.-THE "any one''
to lull suspicion) calls TO + me, tell them IL
be home by evening"
Alyina assented; but when alone, gave
her head a contemptuoms toss.
''Mr Sykes visit won't be for you. l
guess some one else is the attraction herel''
Late that afternoon Alvina, from the
gate, and actually enter hers! She gave
herhands one ecstatic clasp, and, personally
admitted by Sally, Jeremiah once more
faced his destiny, but entirely bereft,
during his short absence, of every spark
of courage or confidence.
''Good afternoon, Mr. Sykes'' smiled
Alvina, ''Did you come to see nle?"
''Well, no-yes-1--'' and jeremiah
collapsed into a chair, II think I did!''
''Don't be reserved, Mr.. Sykes!" en-
couraged Alvina, "tell me how can serve
you?"
s'Are-you--sure?" said jeremiah with
a sickly smile, 'sthat you let me under
stand"
Understand what, Mr.. Sykes?" queried
AIvina blushing.
''That you entertain q willingness to
become-become-
"Could I refuse you, Jefelniah?'' said
miss Alvina, with ready comprehension.
s'Well--no, ''stammered our Hero; ''you're
the idol of my heart, and"
lis, Ell! and that you call honorable con-
duct?" broke upon the lovers ears, as
Melinda and Jerusha unexpectedly re-
turned, burst into the room.
+ Glove me better than any one else!"
screamed Jerusha.
ssNever loved any one so before!' Shrek
ed Melinda.
Don't say anything about it!-you de-
ceiving wretch'' vociferated Jerusha.
s'Keep it secret!-you unfaithful scoun-
drel!' exclaimed Melinda.
''Don't care for any one else!'' chimed
in Alvina, suddenly enlightened.
II don't understand, - faltered Jeremiah;
what-have-I done?"
"You told me I was your only love!''
exclaimed Jerusha.
''You asked me to become Mrs. Sykesl"
added Melinda.
'sYou said was the idol of your heart!''
affirmed Alvina.
'I-I think you must be mistaken,
ladies, L only"
s'You only entered the house of three
unprotected females like sheep in the
night, OF thief among wolves!'' sputterted
Jerusha.
ssBut my dear Miss Simpson, wasn't-7'
"Oh, of course, you wasn't!" said Me-
linda; ''you have excuses enough o
Doubt"
''But, ladies, if you will only listen t, ,
me-
"We've listened quite long enoughl' ,
put in Alvina.
ssFor heavens sake, ladies, q1hona have
I been making love to?" cried jeremiah,
wildly.
'sTo me! and I thought you meant it!''
said Jerusha.
ssTo mel and believed you!'' exclaimed
Melinda.
''To me! and engaged all the time to the
other two!" sobbed A1vina.
Miss Simpson, crave-'' confronting
Jerusha.
'sIt's no use craving!" snapped the irate
damsel; GIVE done with youp'
''Miss Simpson, [ implore you. have
he turned to Melinda
''Have constable in! ought tol Your
vi1lainy is discovered, STRIP
s'And you needn't speak to nae!'' antici-
pated Alvina; ''it's too late now!''
'You deceived nae!'' cried jeremiah,
despairingly; "you kept the room SO
dark
ssYou scandalous wretch" shrieked the
chorus; ssyou knew well enough!''
ssI'll spoil your nefarous games with any
one else I'll denounce you as deceiver!
I'll sue for breach Of promised" cried the
sisters one after the other.
Jeremiah made three frantic dives, for
his hat, the door, and the street, bringing
up in heap in his arm chair, with his
house-keeper nearly strangling him in try
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