Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1876-03-16

| always suspects Their motives.
/ s.Marian,' said her father, ''if one
! does call here, you, and your mother
I can make him leave, by showing him
the broom handle.
sfNot /, father! / should resort to no
such means" said the little lady, draw
! ing herself up proudly. Il would give
the man food, if he were hungry; but
if he should attempt violence I would
use Uncle Fred's revolver, or your
large cane"
ella! ha +! ha! What a heroine you
would be !"
The room rang with Mr.. Creaseys
merry peals Of laughter, in which his
wife heartily joined as she behold her
daughters tragic air.
"By the way, wife" said he, after
quiet was restored, 81 brought home,
this evening, some money of Arthur's
that l shall deposit in the bank after
sending his quarterly dues
Rising from the table and unlocking
the desk of his private secretary, he
placed the bank notes carefully therein,
saying as he did so
81 have examined all his fathers pa
pers, and find, now the bills are paid,
he will have only enough 10 defray his
college expenses but after he has fus
ished his course I will lend him a help
ing hand, and"
An exclamation from his wife brought
his sentence to an abrupt ending.
"Hugh, did you see that man looking
into the back windows
Mr.. Creasey hurried toward the VIM
dow, and, hastily opening it, gazed out
into the darkness, but heard or saw
nothing, and supposed she must have
imagined it all, playfnlly saying
Il suppose it will be our constant
business now to look up imaginary
persons whom you and Anna will be
likely to see.'
"Well, father" said his daughter,
'you may laugh at mother as much as
you please. I acknowledge I saw no
face, but I did hear footsteps just be
fore she spoke"
"Nonsense, child! Twas old Jenny
paving in the stable. Come into the
sitting room before you make any more
discoveries" And, taking his wife
playfully by the arm, he led her away,
while Janet began to remove the
dishes.
Mr.. Creasey threw himself into his
easy chair and consoled himself with
his evening paper. Mrs. Creasey drew
her low rocking>chair to the table, and
took from her work basket a piece of
unfinished sewing, while Mariana prac-
ticed diligently OH the piano till the
little French clock on the mantle struck
the hour of ten.
"Come, daughter" said her father,
throwing down his paper with yawn,
"put aside your music. Your mother
has gone to give Janet directions con-
corning breakfast, and I guess will
fasten up, myself, to4night. 1 want to
keep the tramps out, you know" said
he, jokingly, as he left the room.
Mariana laid her music away, closed
the piano, and soon the house was quiet
and not ray Of light was visible save
that which CLEANED through the wins
dow of her little room, where she could
have been seen again perusing Arthur
Clayton's letter.
Again the morning dawped the sky
in the eastern horizon was beautiful with
gold and crimson clouds; the sun rose
clear and bright, casting its cheerful
beams into the little sitting room of Ma.
riana's home, finding her busily engaged
in putting her room in order. Clip, her
bird was fed. and he warbled his sweets
est song while she ministered to his
wants; then her plants were watered and
many other duties performed. A call
from her mother brought her to the
hall.
"Were going now, daughter your
father thinks we shan't be home till the
evening train arrives, as he has impor~
tant business to transact. told Janet
she could visit her sister this afternoon.
If you are lonely, go and see Helen.
every well, mother. Don't forget the
lace, and match that poplin if you can.
shall spend the time pro6tably and for
get to be lonesome"
She stood in the doorway and watch-
ed them out of sight. The hours of the
morning passed swiftly away. About
noon Janet made her appearance, dress~
ed in her Sunday apparel, preparatory
to spending the afternoon with her sis !
ter.
"Dou't hurry home, Janet" we're the
parting words of Mariana. 81 can get
the supper. Have the grapes for the
children Z"
Eyes, Miss Mariana"