Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1876-12-22

"Mrs. Raymond was here yesterday con.
graduating herself upon the fact that she
had never encouraged his attentions to
Nora, because he had failed in business,
and she limited at some d%ishonorable rams.
actions"
sBah! Woman's gossip, my dear. May,
nard has been unfortunate in business, it
is true; but there is no circumstance con-
nected with the failure that can in any way
be twisted into dishonorable transactions.
1t has been a trying year for business men.
my dear, and Wight Maynard's father,
made some unfortunate investments. 1
wish Maynard could take advantage of an
offer he has in Baltimore"
"What is that?"
"Hill q Hill want him for a junior part
ner in their business, to control a branch
house in that city. He is a splendid bust
ness a and will no doubt soon recover
his mercantile position, but the want of
capital will stand in his way now. He
would require five thousand dollars to &C.
cept their terms. The matter was under
consideration when his fathers failure
made it impracticable."
Five thousand dollars! 1t seems hard
he should miss a good opportunity for SO
small a sum-"
Yes. Maynard is q splendid fellow, hon
orable in all his transactions, a moral man
and a gentleman, as l understand the
word. If [ could spare it I would willing
ly lend him the sum, for he will certainly
soon be able to repay it. But 1 could not
take so much out of my business just nc W.
By-the-way, what makes you feel SO inter
ested il Maynard? Has he stolen my lit
tie girls heart ?"
Etta's face grew rosy, but she lifted her
soft blue eyes frankly to her uncle's face.
II think, Uncle Ralph, that Maynard
love me, but he will not propose to me now.
He said words to me, not long ago,
that puzzled and panied me, but [ under
stand them to day. am rich, aud he has
failed. | cannot tell him his suit would
be as successful now as before, because it
would be assuming more thai he has ever
spoken"
sHumph! I understand. You are a
brave little girl to tell me SO much, but
your secret is safe with me. You will for
get him."
"Perhaps. I am not going to wear the
willow, but [ am going to send him five
thousand dollars"
"How can you, without committing
yourself ?"
II will manage that, If you will draw
the money for me, and keep my secret"
81 will do both. 1 shall be glad to see
Maynard started once more in business /;
and you will not be ruined, Eta, if you
never see the money again."
"Oh, when he is a millionaire [ will send
in my BILL"
81 will get the money for you. Good
bye! Bless my heart, it is after nine
o'clock! !" and the old gentleman hustled
into his o~vercoat, and went briskly down
stairs.
Eta had spoken very gayly when she
proposed to send in her bill to the future
millionaire, but her soft blue eyes filled
with tears when she was alone. She was
only nineteen, a bright. pretty blonde, and
d ldNOIkUC dulODSoU iCl CllClO VI lICillS.
She had dreamed her dreams, as young
girls will, and she had given Maynard
Wight a prominent place i'll them. Ex-
cepting having asked her in SO many words
to be his wife, the young merchant had
given her every reason to believe he loved
and sought her. He was a frank; open
man, one Of those who, while polite to all,
would offer no special attention to one,
unless with the hope Of winning her heart
and giving all his own in return. Eta
knew he loyed her, but she knew also that
his sensitive pride would keep him silent
now He would never offer to the heiress
the hand that had failed to grasp fortune.
She sighed a little, and a few tears rolled
down her checks, but she was a sensible
little maiden, and she resolved that she
would not pine and fret over the trouble
she could in a measure remedy for May
nard, even if her own love dream was
shadowed forever. So she rang the bell
to have the breakfast dishes removed, and
went to dress for d walk.
'Those young ones Of Marion will want
their Christmas tree if everybody in the
world fails" she said, stufhng her porte
monnaie with bank notes, land there is
is only one more day to do miles of shop
ping"
Nobody would ever have accused Eta Of
being "a lovesick maiden if they could have
seen her on that day going from store to
store, sending home enormous pal GELS of
toys and confectionery, and stuffing her
shopping satchel with little articles Of Jew
elry and trifes too small to warrant the at
t~entions Of an errand boy on that busy
day. She made one odd purchase, that she
put away in her pocket and did not mem
ton to her sister, when she finally entered
that lady's parlor, to give an account of
the bundles she had been sending there all
day.
"Your five children are an awful bother
to me at Christmas, Marion" she said
Have | forgotten any Of the promises |
have been making since last December
l ordered Clara the biggest doll I could
ind, with a bedStead TO match her proper
lions, and Miss Vanity Lily shall have her
coral pin and earrings. AS for Eddy,
bless his blue eyes, [ have brought him half
a toy shop, and 1 expect Ralph to SCREAM
over a real watch that will tick and 60"
- watch for Ralph You darling! l
wanted to get one, but his father thinks
he is too young"
Twelve! Oh, it will teach him to be
careful. Oh, the sled is for Rob, but the
rest of the traps we will distribute as you
think best. I will come i'll this afternoon
and help finish the tree"
"Oh, stay now The children are to have
! their party tonight"
"Chl istnas Eve. I II come back. [ must