The People's vindicator. [volume] (Natchitoches, La.) 1874-1883, 1876-04-22

lentlOnS III Mrs. IlcpOurnS 1rlenuS,
frequently encountered, would never,
have been so cordially extended had
she been introduced as "my com
panion," instead of the gentle words :
"My young friend, Miss Seabrisht."
She WAS ola sunny, bright temper
ament, and even the discomforts Of
travel lost half their annoyance IN
her pleasant manner of meeting them.
III the delightful resting places
where they sojourned for a week at
a time, Mrs. Hepburn found all the
well-known spots took q new beauty
when shared with her new compan-
ion, whose frank delight was rs pleas
ant as a child's to behold.
She dressed simply, even within
her means, but had an artistic taste
that made the plain garments ever
suitable aud becoming, while her few
ribbons suited her young beauty tct-
ter than Jewels.
When she found Mrs. Hepburn
weary with long ride or hours of
railway .j"ltins, she could soot|le her
to the sweetest rest 10y singing. as
she gently smoothed the silvM hair,
or ca,esscd the withcred hands.
With all her train of cringing rel
ativcs it was something new to the
old lady to receive loving service.
She had made no further engagement
with Edna, had held ont u" golden
promises, but by gentle kindness she
had won the g;r's warm heart to an
enthusiastic affection.
1t was no thought Of salary or
future f;avors that Enda Scabright
gave IL daughters tcndercst care to
the old lady who was giving her the
novel happiness of a summer pleas
ure trip. She was sorry to think of
the parting soon to come but she
meant t" prove her gratitude by every
loving device, while she WAS still
Mrs. lepburn's companion.
And Rob. Harkner, in his law office
in town, found no consolation in legal
studies for she keen pang of disap.
p"intment he had experienced when
Mrs. Holt told him Miss Scahright
was travelling for the summer aud had
no permanent address.
"Aunt Maria of, too, nobody knows
WHERE" the young man thought dis
consolatcly," $50 | might as we'll go
back to town."
Which he did, thereby receiving at
the earliest moment a delicately writ
ten letter from Mrs. Hepburn, dated
Boston, begging him to meet her at
the T. House and escort her home.
"Odd," he muttcred, latter run
ming abont all summer alone, she can.
not come from Boston without al as
cort."
Bnt with Rob, t. hear his great
:lllnt's wishes VIA, tn obey them. anu
the next train found him Fastening to
Boston.
lie found his amt sitting in a pri.
vate sitting room Of the hotel fiVm
which she had written, rocking her
selflazily and musiug. He judged
that her meditations were pleasant by
the smile npon her lips.
She gave him a cordial welcome,
after a little chat, she said:
"Rob, did you ever think l meant
to make you my hei' :"
The color rushed to Rolls face. hit
after a moment of confusion he lifted
his eyes frankly, saying:
II thought you would not forget
me If you made a will, Aunt Maria,
hut from my heart I hope that it will
be a long time before l know whether
yon will or not"
"Thank you, Rob Ibelievo you. ]
think you love me-"
II do love you,' was the earnest
reply.
:'Then I hope you will grant me
request I am about to make, that will
give me great happiness it you do
II should not likely refuse any re-
quest you make
II have a friend, Rob, q very deal
Young friend, who is one (of the love
lest girls ever knew. Our friend
ship is of very recent date, but it il
strong and true. 1t is my dearest
hope that when you meet her yot
may love her, may win her love-
"Impossiblo"
"Stay a moment, Rob, am mo-
ouitv 80 foolisl, an old woman as t
wish you to promise to marry
stranger. But l want yon to remain
with US for a short time, and try tt
like my friend, aud win her to lik'
yo"."
81 would be a scoundrel if | d1'
that"
"A scoundrel!"
eyes, for have already given m!
love and won a RETURN"
"And did not tell me, Rob"
"Only because l have not know
where to find you all summer"
"But your mother says y"nr ch"ic
has fallen upon a vulgar nobody,
penuiless Orphan
MY mother has never seen Edna
It is true she is an orphan, born /
the aims. house, hut she has been be
friended and educated BY gentle, re
fined people. and there is no faint {
vnlgarity about her. Aunt Mari:
do you think / am q man to love
vulgar woman !"
"No, Rob; but think! an aims
house orphan! "
"But a gentle, lovely woman, I'll
woman I love! I might seem to agrp
in your place, auntie, bnt YOU ST
that it would he a scoundrel's pa
to court your friend, when both lo>
and honor bind me to Edna"
"Honor, Rob"
eyes, for she knows my love al
has confessed her own. COnld al
true man desert a woman after that