Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1876-09-08
distant window, and they all ran gaily out
and bundled into their places.

uAiI Uul1olCu HUI luClE places.
The party passed off as such things usc;
ally do. All seemed to enjoy themselves
Nellie was lovely as pink and full O.
mischief. Leighton was attentive, anG
John Holt was cheerful and kind to every
body. He was fully as quiet as usual, te
be sure, and rather avoided Nellie Cramer
but it is doubtful if any one but herself
noticed that.
1t was twelve O'Clock when they started
to go home, and the moon was set. AT
first their gayety held out, but after a
mile or so fatigue and want of sleep began
to tell on them, and one by one they fell
into silence. =
"John," Nellie sa1qA there is just room
for me in the seat witifyou. May come
there? It is cold here.''
He made room for her in silence, and she
left her discounted escort and took her
seat next that strong shoulder.
Then silence fell again; but after a
while, in the darkness, John Holt was
aware of a slight pressure against his arm,
then soft, plaintive whisper stole into
his ear:
IL am so sleepy, John!"
He turned little-why not? They were
old friends-and lifted his arm to the back
of the seat. took the head softly and ten
derby to his bosom. And so she lay in that
faithful and tender clasp till they drew
near home, then. with one whispered word
nf Iouipr rofifndo. 80
you!' she drew away, and took Albert
Leighton's hand to step out at her own
door.
After a stir in his own'mind, John Holt
concluded that Nellie and Albert had
quarreled. He sighed, since she could not
hear, and so be annoyed, pitied the girl,
and then went steadily about his work.
The waters Of. his soul were too deep for
babbling.
When spring came, for the first time in
his life John electrified his friends. He
was going to California. The announce
ment was made quietly, but firmly, and he
stood like rock against which expostu-
lation beat itself to spray. He gave good
right to choose for himself.
'You haye always said, mother, that you
wished l was more venturesoma, he said,
II am going to please you, now.''
''But how is the farm to get along with
out your" she objected.
Crank understands everything, and can
manage"
Mrs. Holt took courage, and, breakin g
over some little awe which, in spite of her
talk, she felt for her son, spoke out:
''John, has that Nell Cramer Tilted
your"
''Jilted me!'' he said, flushing as much
with anger as with surprise. "What do
you mean, mother? We have always been
good friends, but never anything more. I
never gave her the chance to jilt me.''
''Then why don't you give her the
chance?" persisted his mother, who did
not choose to give up, now that the ice
was broken. Nell is a good girl, if she
does flirt little. I always thought that
she liked you, only that you were too slow
to see it. Then, Nell has got a little sum
Of money of her own that wouldn't be
amiss."
"You are entirely mistaken, mother, .
he said, decisively. "Don't let us say any
more about it.''
ooh, you great fool" muttered the
mother, looking after him as he went out.
''Was there ever man so blind He is
no more fit to live in this world than an
angel out of heaven is"
Then, seeing Nellie Cramer passing the
street, she lifted her voice and called her
in.
The girl came in, wondering at such a
peremptory summons.
sCome and sit by mel" commanded the
matron, and Nellie obeyed.
Mrs. Holt scanned her from head to foot,
the neat, trim figure in its snugly fitting
paletot of dark gray, the green bonnet,
that brought out her fresh, clear color with
a new lustre, and the fair, bright face.
ibid you know that our John is going
to California;" asked Mrs. Holt, abruptly,
her keen eyes on the girls face.
All the color faded out of it in an in
slant, and Nellie Cramer dropped into a
chair as suddenly as if she had beeu shot.
She sat there and looked at the other with
strained eyes, but said no word.
eyes, said Mrs. Holt, unable to repress
a slight smile of satisfaction at this proof
Of the correctness of her surmise: Eyes he's
set on going in spite of all I can say. He is
going in month or six weeks. Let me
see this is the middle of April. He says
he shall start by the first of June, at furth-
est.
That smile of Mrs. Hollis was anunfor-
tunate one. Nellie had always feared
those sharp eyes, and now the thought
flashed into her mind that Johns mother
was trying to expose and mortify her. A
woman's pride will do a good deal for her,
even when her heart is breaking. 1t
brought the color to her face again, and
strengthened her trembling limbs. 1t stead
led her voice and her eyes. Mrs. Holt was
puzzled and disconnected by the sudden
change.
81 am so sorry % Nellie said, in tone
of fearless regret. eve can scarcely get
along without John. He seems such a
standby. But men ought not to be tied at
home, 1 think. If they chose to go, they
should be allowed their own way. There
he is now in the garden. am going out
to speak to him of it.''
TRY to coax him to stay, Nellie,' said
the mother, IN a tone of more entreaty
than, perhaps, she had ever used in her life
before. "He is good son, and I can't
get along without him. I think you can
keep him if you will.''
This prayer would have been effectual,
but for the memory Of that smile which
ranked in the girls heart. Had she not
given John Holt every encouragement, if
he had cared about her? Had she not said
and done things so affectionate toward him