Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1876-03-17
aWhat rumdrs. mother?n

s'DOn't know" answered Paul, indiffe'
rently. ''And don't care! Let's have din
ner, mother"
Mrs. Severn said nothing more, but her
thoughts were busy all the same. If Paul
should have Invested" in this heiress, and
be cheated out of his bankers balance, af-
ter all
Miss Decima Severn, ON being consulted
by her mama, expressed it as her opinion
''that it was all old Mrs. Captions spite,
because she wasn't invited-and that
mamma had great deal better spend her
time in seeing that the train Of her-Miss
Decima 's-dress was cut right"
Miss Louisa, the second daughter, said,
sit was perfectly ridiculous! And she
wished mamma would telegraph to the
city for her new cluster of curls which
hadn't been sent with the other things"
And Sybilla, the youngest, had no
thoughts for anything but her white tarle-
tan, trimmed with sweet-brier leaves
For this was Sybilla's first party and of
proportionate Importance in her eyes!
''Girls are so silly" said Mrs. Severn,
''But, after ALL" one can't expect old heads
on young shoulders.
So they went to the party at the More
ham mansion.
AS it CHANGED, they were the first arri-
walls. Mr.. Moreham was sitting at his IL
brary desk, and Mrs. Severn could not but
note the look Of half subdued care that was
on his. brow as he rose to greet her.
II hope see you well, Mr.. Moreman, y
said Mrs. Severn. "Excuse me for intru-
ding in your study, but you know we are
such old friends, and"
''Not at ALL" said Mr.. Moreham, courte-
ously. II am quite well, but have been
little annoyed by business matters to-
day."
.sThen it is true!'' said Mrs. Severn,
quickly.
"What?'
s'The-the hints l have lately heard
about your business difficulties"
Her color changed as she spoke. Mr..
Moreham looked keenly at her.
'My FRIEND" said he, Suppose it should
be true?"
Mrs. Severn grew paler than ever:
eve are very old friends,'' added he.
ssOur children are destined to be even
nearer and dearcr to each other than we
have been. Nor do [ desire to have any
secrets from you'll You remember my
speaking to your husband about those three
West-Indian ships that L contemplated
buying last fall They were freighted
with expensive cargoes, few weeks since,
and telegram arrived on Wall street this
morning, saying that they were lost at sea
in the last gale. Unfortunately they were
not insured. Three ships are a fortune ;
their loss is enough to ruin any man."
Mrs. Severn sank down on sofa and
clutched at her smelling bottle. -
81 don't care so much for myself" add
ed Mr.. Moreham, with his keen glittering
eyes still fixed on her face" but it would
break my heart to leave Leo. unprovided
for. However, now that she is engaged to
your son"
''Stop minute" interrupted Mrs. Sew
ern 'sAll this takes me so completely by
surprise! And there is poor dear Paul's
future to be considered! Though, of course,
Leo could never expect him to marry a
loortionless girl when so much depends on
his business Matters"
1'You think not" said Mr.. Moreham.
s.Certainly, said Mrs. Sew rn."
If Paul had lost limb or been SCARED
by the smallpox, Leona would have been
true as daylight to him." said Mr.. More
ham, slowly.
"That's quite different thing" said
Mrs. Severn.
s'Perhaps. But now," and Mr.. More
hams voice lost its confidential accents,
1--WE had better go into the ballroom.
Our friends are beginning to arrive"
And Mrs. Severn, watching him as he
moved to and fro, welcoming his guests
with the calmly courteous mien of high
bred gentleman, thought to herself what
an old Spartan he was. She contrived, af i.
ter awhile, to make her way to Paul, when
at the close of a waltz he yielded up Leona
to the cavalier whose name was inscribed
! for the next dance upon her little pearl
| tablets.
+. "Paul,' she whispered, as, slipping her
arm through his, she led him towards the
cool hallway, ''all this must come to an
end"
"What must come to all end?"' demand
ed the astonished young man.
"Youf engagement Moreham is
ruined ~
| "No!" shouted Paul.
SsHe told me so himself And Leo
with all her luxurious habits and fine lady
ways, will be no better off than a dressma.
ker's apprentice"
Mother said Paul, after moment
or two of silence, "what do you take me
for? A villain ! Because, upon my word
you speak as if you did,"
| sPaul ~
81 love Leo. Moreham. I didn't engage
myself to marry her money-but her. Il
she were beggar, standing at the cross
ings with her broom in her hand, I should
marry her !"
'sBut, my son." pleaded his MOTHER you
will be ruined ~
II don't believe it, mother. 1t takes
more to ruin man than all that. At all
events. ruin or no ruin, I love Leo, and I
shall marry her!''
"Bravo % cried a voice from behind the
folds of ancient silken tapestry that con
cealed an oriel window beyond, and old Mr.
Moreham him himself parted the curtains
with one hand and confronted them
"Paul Severn, you speak like man You
shall marry Leo. And you shall not mar
ry beggar, neither Leo. is as much O.
an heiress as she ever was! -
'sBut, Mr.. Moreham,' gasped Mrs. Sew