Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1877-12-14

as one I"
"You honor me,'' he faltered, over
whelmed with surprise.
81 am a father' Mr.. Burnette said
land my only child is daughter, whose
future has been to me subject OF deep
prayerful anxiety, I have feared that when
I die, the wealth leave would make her
the wife of some plausible fortune hunter.
1 have feared that my business would fall
to ruin in incompetent hands. Often l
have hoped to meet at some time an hon
orable upright man, to whom L could
teach the secret of my success and who
might succeed to my business have pray
ed that when die. might leave my child
! under the protecting care OF a husband
who had not sought her for her wealth, a
man of pure heart and firm principle, Lu-
Glen Gaylord, have found the man I
sought. To-day you will dine with me,
and he introduced to Miss Burnette.''
"I?'
The cry broke from Lucien's lips in such
utter amazement, that he thought he must
dream, or that his employer was insane.
| "You !" was the quiet answer.
'sBut it is all impossi ble," Lucien said,
slowly regaining his self-possessi on.
Impossible? Why so, if am wiling?"
"You will think me ungrateful, pre-
sumptous, but I cannot accede to your no.
BILE, generous plan. Faithful service, true
friendship, I can give you gladly, but you
must seek another heir, another son-in-
! law. [ am not free.H
| "You refuse my daughter 2"
II have given my love and won a heart
1 could never betray."
"May ask where %
"My promised wife is no heiress, bnt a
simple country maiden, lovely and gentle.
l will not weary you sir with a lovers
praise, but you will let me say that I have
worked for two years. with the hope of
winning some position that will enable me
to offer home to my wife. If you will
put me in such a situation. you will
win my warmest gratitude, but 1 must
not think again Of the dazzling offer you
have made me.0
| "You refuse to be my son-in-l aw-my
heir ?" ....
II refuse any offer that makes me trail
tor to pure heart that trusts me''
'It makes it harder for me to give you
up, but if 1 must, at least accept my invi-
tation to dinner and my friendship
''Gladly, gratefully replied Lucien
Gaylord. ..
cat six o'clock, then, 1 shall expect
you.'
Was he awake?
Lucian Gaylord asked himself the ques-
| tion more than once as he pored over his
| ledgers, added long columns of figures, and
wrote business letters.
| Had John Burnette really made him the
magnificent proposals still lingering in his
ears?
We're they both insane?
| His head was still whirling as he dress
| ed himself and walked toward the splen-
did mansion the rich merchant called hi S
home.
| Had all this really been placed within
his grasp ?
He was still musing Of this when MI.
Brunette himself crossed the room.
"Have you thought better of your refu-
sal 90 he asked.
II can only repeat it, sir. My heart, my
| love are no longer at my disposal
| There was rustic of silk upon the rich
carpet, a lady advanced dressed in SHIN
mering ]ustrous silk. with jewels in her
hair and upon her wrists.
| A lady with soft brown eyes and golden
curls, who was introduced as
"My daughter fable, Mr.. Gaylord''
But who was surely, May, his own May,
niece of Maria Strong who took Summer
dodgers i'll a small country village.
MI. Brunette had disappeared when Lu-
| clan moved his wandering eyes from Mays
! face and only the lady Of his true love re-
manned.
you. will forgive me, Lucien,'' she
said, drawing him to seat beside her
upon sofa, eff you think I have deceiv-
ed you when | tell you how it all happen
ed. My father only spoke the truth this
morning when he told you my future was
the only anxiety of his life. 1 cannot tell
you of his worshipping love for me- When
1 returned from Norton I told him of your
love for me-my promise to you. Know
ing you loved me for myself alone, with no
knowledge of my position OF fortue, [ beg
ged him to send for you at once and tell
the truth. But next to his child my father
love S his business he has built up by his
own energy and talent. He wished to be
sure that it would not be ruined in the
hands of his son-in-law, and I con-
scented to his test of your capacity. 1t is
no small compliment Lucien, for him to
tell me he is thoroughly satisfied, willing
to trust the future Of both his child and
his business TO you.''
"But May, are you not Mrs. Strongs
nice ?''
81 am. She is my mothers sister. Every
summer l spend some weeks in Norton
Still have never performed any mental
work there, except dnring your visit, when
there was no servant. My aunt has never
left her home and take no finery to N Or
ton, so she does not realize how different
my life is here from my life with her.
''And you, who must see so many suit
ors were willing to give me the treasure of
your love?
"Ah Lucien, love is tyrant. He took
us both under bis rule in those summer
days at Norton, when | was writing TO
papa2of Aunt Maria's ledger, and e was
hoping and fearing for me. But come now
to the library, and tell him you have re-
considered his offer, and will marry that