Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1876-07-14

Robert, that was here nigh on six weeks
last spring. she said.
"'Yes,' replied.
"'Well, he wants to marry me. Here's
the letter; you may read it, and then [
want your advice
She drew q crumpled sheet of paper
from her pocket, which proved to be a long,
loving letter.
He was then twenty one, the possessor
Of handsome fortune, and after telling
his love in what called htazestin language
he offered her his heart aud hand.
"sYou'l take him, of course, says l,
handing back the letter and bringing to
my mind the tinely-dressed, smooth faced,
meek-looking Robert Morse. Yes, Lefty,
satins the Squire's nephew will buy for
you. You'll be the handsomest woman in
the county, I'll warrantp
don't think Lefty thought as much Of
! her good fortune as I. She looked half
pleased, half frightened, as she sat down
to answer the letter.
Suddenly a thought struck me, and 1
| interrupted her to ask if she hadn't told
her parents.
al gave them a hint of the contents
of the letter, and of course they think it a
great tbi'ag,' she replied. Robert can get
their consent without half asking, but poor
Will Worthy might have hung around till
doomsday and then got a surly REFUSAL
poor WiU!'
With a sigh she went on with her let
ter-signed. sealed, directed, and gave it
into my hands to post on my way home
that night.
In due time Mr.. Robert Morse made
his appearance, and, owing to his impati-
ence, the wedding day was set full two
months earlier than Lefty wished. This
was the first and last time that saw him
in a hurry about anything.
He gave Lefty scarcely time to finish
the web of linen she had commenced, in
sisting that it wasn't necessary.
My mother was to take Letty's place.
care for the house, and wait upon her
invalid mother, while was to go as house
keeper to Lefty in her home.
'Robert stayed with his uncle, the squire
for month before the wedding, and, of
course, we saw him every day.,
One evening he left us standing on the
porch watching him in the moonlight as he
went down the lane.
When he was out sight and hearing,
Lefty said:
H'You've been good friend to me Peg
gy, and feel that can trust you as I
have never trusted anyone else.'
My heart began to beat very loud and
fast, when saw her take a small package
from her bosom. Not noticing my surprise
she went on:
81 want you to take this parcel to Will
Worthy-take it to him tonight for I've
no longer a right to the contents. viii
you go?'
I assented, threw a light shawl over
MY head, and ran across the orchard that
Sc parated the two houses.
Did she love Will Worthy, instead of
the naan she was emerged to-?
I thought of the sigh that always fol-
lowed. his name from her lips, and lnadver-
tently I, too, exclaimed, poor WHIP
&C is it me you are calling?' said he,
stepping from the shadow Of a lilac.
I handed him the parcel, without utter
ing word. l saw his hands shake as he
opened it there in the moonlight. Some
dried rose.buds and tiny circlet of gold
had once seen on Letty's finger fell into
Tho door, rrrocc ond licoppoorod Co o6o
prefers diamonds to hearts. Well, so be it.
God forgive her i and with that he tore
the papers in tiny bits, and walked away
without another word.
When I got back to the house Lefty
was sitting on the porch, her face buried
in her white apron.
LEFTY Lawton.' said I, Selling her by
the aim, what ails you?'
"'Poor Will how could I throw you
offs, and she sobbed like child.
g This is pretty to do said [ compre-
hending the truth at last. There's not
enough of diamonds in the mines of Col
conda to make me break my word as 1 be-
lieve you have broken yours
{" I never promised to marry Will,' she
sobbed; but I knew he loved me and
meant sometime to make me his wife; and
1 encouraged him, till-till Robert came
and daZzled my very brain with his offer.
hope poor viii does not take it to hearth
"'He is, doubtless, very grateful to es-
cape SO easily from ickle-minded girl,
whose only recommendation is a pretty
face, [ replied, for was too angry to be just
to the poor thing. So we went indoors and
to bed, though I'll venture to say she did
sleep wink thatnight. 1t was very
pale bride that Mr.. Robert Morse took
away in his chaise next day. I followed
behind id wagon containing the luggage.
Will Worthy was raking hay in a field
by the roadside, but he never looked up OF
recognized us as we passed.
It was handsome house that your
mother become mistress of, and she was
surrounded with everything to make her
happy. Her husband proved quiet, easy
body, without any end OF aim in life save
TIC contribute to his own and his wife's
comfort.
Lefty had been accustomed to employ
ment, and it seemed as if there would be
no end to these days of idleness.
Ii she attempted to sew, Robert would
take her work away. If she read, he COM
planned OF being dull, and asked her to en-
terrain him. If she wrote, he felt himself
neglected. and would, perhaps, leave the
house in huff, thus keeping her in state
of anxiety quite annoying to be borne.
But your mother was generally sweet
tempered, and bore her husbands shiftless
management of affairs with patience 1