Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1875-05-07

J
6 Is sufficient for us, sir. I have e,t
a year. We can live on that, and save
a little too.''
swell, well-take her-love her I,
good to her, make her happy, don't
ID
When the old man saw the joyous LIS
leap from his child's eyes he turned away
and walked quickly from the house; but
he was not so quick but that he heard the
blessing that followed him. And when he
walked alone beneath the starry heavens
he wiped his eyes, as though something
troubled him.
Gay as a lark was gentle, beautiful Ag-
mes when she became the wife of Walter
Adams. The rose bloomed again upon
her cheeks, and the smiles were upon her
happy face like sunshine, all the day long.
ssDo you pray to God to help you to love
me. now?" the old man asked after she had
with Walter some months, ~..s
| g Why-what do you mean?9 asked Ag-
mes, in surprise.
You used to pray SO, for [ heard you,"
returned Noah.
| A moment the young wife looked into
her parents face and then she answered,
| while she threw her arms about his neck
"Oh pray that you may be spared to
us for long years in peace and happiness,
but-love you! Oh! could not help if L
should try. And Walter loves you, father
he loves you very much, for he has told
me so many times.''
There was something more than usual
in the old mans eye now
One evening as the happy trio sat at the
tea-table, Walter looked more thoughtful
than was his wont.
stWhat is it, love?" Agnes asked.
"Oh-nothing,'' the husband said with a
smile. 81 was only thinking.'
sBut Of what 20
"Only castle building- that's all.''
&c In the air, Walter?' asked Noah.
''Yes-very high in the air" the young
man remarked with a laugh.
But tell us what it isl
well, I'd as soon tell it to you as not
MI. Osgood is to retire from our firm in
few days. He is well advanced in life,
and has made a fortune in the business,
and health alone. He has not been well
of late years.
''And that's all?''
eyes"
"But what castle in the air is there
about that ?"
ooh, that isn't the castle.''
&
old man playfully.
"Why, simply this" said Walter, laugh
ing, but yet almost ashamed to tell it
this noon Mr.. Osgood patted me on the
shoulder, and said hem his playful way
g Walter, Pll sell you all my interest here
for ESQ, O0O.r
Ha, ha, ha,' laughed Noah Bremen
"and you thought he was in earnest
No, no'' quickly retuMed the young
man. II did not think that-tllough i
know the two other partners would Will
ingly have me for an associate
"But it seems to me that old Osgood
holds his share in the concern at a high
fgure.'
''Oh, no. 1t is very low one. There
is q clear capital of e15O, 900 in the bust
ness at this very moment and think of
the standing debts and goodwill hich
goes for something"
"Ha, ha ha,' laughed the old man
again.
Then Walter laughed, and then Agnes
laughed, and they finished their supper.
On the next evening, Walter Adams
came in and sank down on the sofa with
out speaking: He was pale and agitated,
and his eyes had a vacant wandering look j.
."Walter," cried Agnes in terror, sswhat
has happened 20
"He's sick,' muttered Noah Bremen,
without turning round.
"No, no-not sick" returned the young
man. starting up; 'but I am the victim
of some miserable trifling.''
"Eh How So" asked old Noah, turn
ing his chair.
"Ill tell you,'' said Walter, with a spas
modic effort. II had some long entries to
post this evening, so I remained in the
counting room after the rest had gone. /
was still at work when Mr.. Osgood came
IN and placed some papers on my desk,
saying as he did: ssHere, Walter, these
are yours and then he went out When
had finished my work opened the papers.
The first was sort of inventory Of what
Osgood owned in the business, and amount
ed up In even numbers to e49,S75. The
next paper was deed conveying the whole
vast property to me, and making me a
partner in the concern upon equal footing
with the other two!''
"Well," said the old man, humping his
foot upon the carpet, and keeping time
with his hands, 81 don't see anything bad
in that.''
''But 1 do,'' replied Walter. cit is
cruel to trif1e with me thus.''
There was something in Noab,s eve
again he managed to get out, and then he
spoke thus.
ALTAR Adams, when young men used
to hover around my child, I believed they
were only after my gold; and knew that
In most cases l was correct. I believed
the same of you. knew nothing but the
love OF money that could influence human
action. My heart had become hardened
by 1t and my soul darkened. But it was
for my sweet child to pour the warmth
and light into my bosom. It.was for her
TO keep before me the image Of the gentle
wife whom had loved and lost, but, also,
VINO occupied place in that love second
to my gold. 1t was for my child to open
up gradually, but surely, the fount of feel
ing which had been for lifetime closed
up. | heard her pray for me-pray that
she might love me; and that was after 1
had refused to let her be vour wife. T saw