Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1877-08-31
STAUNTON, VIRGINIA, FRIDAY. AUGUST 81, 1877
in this renewed intercourse became to him

had thought Of love in the days when tn
girl was a debe.tante in society, and hay
mond one of it's favorite beaux; but whel
they met after the long parting, some new
emotion stirred both hearts. They did no
know what made the hours pass so quick
ly when they were together, nor recognize
the subtle charm that dwelt for each II
the others presence for many week.
Raymond was the first to awaken to the
knowledge that love was the charm thai
bound him to Bertie's side whenever she
was present; that it was love that made
her eyes, the dark, sparkling eyes, so beau
tiful in their expression; that love tuned
her voice so unsteady that love made hel
the dearest of all women in his eyes.
Anabel was delighted. Bertha was one
of her own dearest friends. and Bertha's
father was merchant of standing and In,
fluence. Aside from this, the girl had in
! herited money from her mother. Alto
| gether, Anabel decided that the match
would be charming. But a hint to that ct.
feet, met one of Raymond sisternest frowns,
such as had never visited his face in the
old sunshiny days.
"Never speak of it again, Anabel,' he
said. Il am no fortune hunter, to live
upon the money of rich wife. l Will
carve out my own way first"
But carving his own way proved very
tedious work, till, desperate at many fall
ures, he accepted a position: offered njest,
of driver to an express wagon.
II do understand horses" he said, ''if
cannot sell goods or keep books.''
| 1t proved harder work, however, than
the first flush of his desperation had imag-
med. Not the work; this he soon con-
quered; but the Sights, rudeness and stare
Of his old friends. Some few recognized
the true nobility that accepted honest la
! Dor rather than easy dependence upon
wealthy connections, but these were few.
A week passed. when, one morning, de-
hvering some goods at one OF the most
fashionable stores on Broadway, as he went
out, Raymond saw Bertha Haines opening
the door Of her low carriage.
An impulse made him start forward to
hand her out. only to draw back crimson
with confusion, and dropping the hand he
was lifting to raise his hat. The sweet
musical voice he loved spoke at once:
'sPlease, MI. Thurston, help me with
this obstinate door. 1t will stick.''
He went forward with all the easy grace
of manner that had ever marked his In
tercourse with ladies'. The little gloYed
hand was extended to meet his as she
thanked him.
''It is too bad you are engaged, she
said. Il should like to borrow your artist
eve to aid me in selecting dress for my
reception on Thursday evening. But you
will come and tell me how 1 succeeded
alone, will you not?''
:sDo you really wish me to come noW?''
he asked.
81 do.''
ssThen I will come. I must say good
morning." and he left her with most
courteous bow.
But while the great express wagon ratified
down the street, Miss Haines turned away
from the stores she had been entering, and
re-entered her carriage.
ITO my father's,'' she said to the dri-
YER. and in a few moments later the mer-
chant looked up from his ledgers to see his
only child in faultless walking-dress, en-
tering the counting-room.
Another check,'' he said, moving a
chair towards her. elbow much this
time?'
Nothing; I want to talk to you. Shut
the door, so these horrId men can't hear
me-"
The door closed, and privacy in the
sanctum secured, Bertha astonished her
parental relative by bursting into passion
Of weeping.
"Why, Bertha,' he cried.
s'Never mind, papa. 1t is all over now.
Do you remember what you said to me
when Raymond Thurston applied for some
employment here?"
"Not exactly"
II do. You said that a man brought up
as he had been would want sinecure;
that he would never come down to real
work, and that you had no position for a
fine gentleman; that his offer to take su-
coordinate position and learn the business
was simply farce"
Ibid I say all that, Bertha?"
s'To me you did. I suppose you dis
missed him politely enough. But, papa, if
you thought he was in real earnest-really
meant to work for d living would you
give him chance here?"
Eyes. He has capacity, brains and a
good address. But he has been an idler all
his life.''
HE is no idler now. He is driving an
express CART
''Bertha!"
ssHe is. I met him not an hour ago: he
thought was going to cut him. AS it,
she added vii h magnificent scorn,sI would
slight an old friend in adversity!''
''Bless my soul Driving an express wa
gon! Ned Thurston's son Educated at
Harvard !! Dear me! Did you notice
whose wagon it was, Bertha?"
Bertha had noticed, and the old gentle
man hustled into his coat, and started for
the office.
AT dinner he informed Bertha that Ray
mond had accepted place in his large es-
Enlistment, with frank confession of his
profound ignorance of all business affairs;
but with an earnest resolution to learn
we'll and speedily whatever appertained to
the duties entrusted to him.
It was not many weeks before Mr..
Haines congratulated himself upon the &C
QUESTION of his new clerk. He told mar
velous stories of Raymond s rapid progress,
life, knowing of the long nights spent in
pouring over ledgers and accounts, and the
many misgivings the clerk felt. The same
| active hrain and Quick intellgepca the