Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1876-11-17
VOL 81.

in love with her cousin, Rupert st. Charles
and he with her; but they were poor and
he working his way slowly through college
that she thought there wasn't chance
there, and so gave him up for your father.
And now he is q promising young lawyer
and she mistress of Ryelands. what is so
likely 2-Lor', you amt going to faint,
are you, Linly ?''
"Faint No! The day is warm and
stay here listening to this gossip. do not
feel in the least indebted to you for repeat
ing it to me, Miss Lucinda. My beautiful
stepmother loved my father dearly when
she married him-fve years of utter devo-
ton to his interests and her crushing grief
at his death proved it for me-nor do be-
lieve she loved any one else when she mar
ried him. And if she chooses to marry
Mr.. ST. Charles now, she is at liberty for
all in Circleville," and, bowling with the
barest civility to Miss Lucinda, Linly left.
the shop.
| The cool air of the village streets cooled
her burning cheeks; but how her loyal
young heart ached in her burning bosom
Not for worlds would she have had Miss
Lucinda confirmed in her suspicious that
she loved Rupert st. Charles; but it was
the cruel truth. He was SO kind and fine
in his nature, so handsome and unspoiled
by his rapid success in life, no wonder the
girlish heart worshiped him. She had nev-
er believed that there was anything be-
| tween the cousins but cousinly kindness
and freedom. But perhaps others knew
better may be she qoas "blind.''
A feeling of bitter desolation fell upon
her as she entered the broad gates of Rye
lands, whence her beloved father, whose
pet she had always been, had been carried
scarcely half year before. She loved
Hermione, and had believed that Hermione
| loved her best of anything in the world,
but now it seemed as if she had no home
in any heart.
| Mr.. st. Charles's beautiful mare Sultana,
stood tied to tree. For the first time the
sight gave Linly pain instead of pleasure.
She did not wish to meet him, and she
turned away from the door and took the
garden path.
The grounds of Ryelands were old and
fine. The doctors large practice and open
hearted hospitality had formerly kept
much state there. but of late all was very
quiet. =
She saw no one, as her path wound
among the shrubbery; but soon she heard
voices, and pausing to learn what direc-
tion they were in, the following conYersa
ton forced itself upon her:
ST hardly know what to say.''
"But, Hermione, surely you trust me 20
eyes; entirely. But, Rupert wait
year. My husband has been dead such
short time, and 1 shrink from such re-
| sponsible act"
81 cannot wait year. You know how
lonely have been, and now that 1 love
one woman with my whole soul-and she
is free, and can at last take care of
wife-surely, Hermione you will not
refuse ?"
"Poor Rupert, I love you so much, how
can / refuse ?''
''Then you give your consent ?"
''I do"
Breathless and wild with pain, Linly
tore herself from the spot. She sought the
house now, and fleeing to her own room,
cast herself across the bed, writhing with
anguish. Lost! Lost They had all left
her. She had not one.
! The tea bell rang; she did not heed it.
Inquiring voices called her name; she COW
cred her ears with her hands. Twilight
and darkness filled the pretty white room
the whippoorwill's call came on the dewy
air, and the piano sounded softly in the
room below. It was Hermione's touch,
and Rupert St. Charles was bending hap
pily over 1.-THE woman he loved with his
whole SOUL" no doubt. Poor Linly! She
wished she could creep into her fathers
grave, and be out of sight Of their happi-
ness
By-and-by, in the stiffness, she heard
steps on the stair. Was Hermione com
ing? Yes, the door opened, and Herm-
tones voice syllabled: ''Dear, are you
here? Why, we thought you had not come
from town."
She advanced into the room, putting the
light she carried under shade in the
| corner.
"You have come home with a headache,
I knoW-the day has been SO hot, but you
ought to have drank some tea, Linly,
dear"
The graceful, fragrant form pressed the
couch by the girls side-a tender arm stole
around her neck.
81 am glad we can be quiet. ] have
something to tell you. Did I hurt you,
Linly, with my ring ? Why did you vince
so ?''
mo, Hermione,' feebly.
sLinly, something has happened to-day,
which gave me great hope and pleasure.
Shall I tell you ?"
There was a little pause-such hard
little pause.
"Yes."
sYou have known my cousin, Rupert
st. Charles, a year, and you feel quite well
acquainted with him, do you not ?"
s'Quite we'll"
'sHe is all he seems to be, Llnly. think
you like him."
| No answer.
ct hope you do, dear, for he is just what
a young man ought to be-honorab!e, pure
and steadfast; and the woman who has
won his love is fortunate, indeed-blessed,
| if she returns it, for he will make devo
ted husband. She could not have better
fate than to be the wife Of Rupert st.
Charles.'
Hermlone Ihetford heard her step
daughters quickened breathing, but could
| nnt Spa her face