Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1877-11-16
PLAYING THE DRESSMAKER.

Mary Tounley, in Atlantic Monthly.
PLAYING THE DRESSMAKER.
Mrs. Ross Ruslington sat dignifed,
naughty, self-possessed.
Mrs. Ross Ruslington was indignant,
and took no pains to hide that fact, and all
because her son had rebelled-all because
her one darling had seen fit to consult his
own heart in falling in love.
Ernest Ruslington was one of those hand
some, --.tenderly- worshipped fellows-tall,
strong, northumberland. with a devot-
ed way that COOS so surely to a women's
heart, that made his mother idolize him as
he deserved, that made little Mamie Nor
gan fairly thrill with rapturous love for
him, that made even stately Miss Geneva
eve Wallace admire him, and feel in no
ways averse to the plan Mrs. Ruslngton
had arranged, that her handsome son
should present Miss Genevieve as his wife.
But in this especial instance Mr.. Ernest
Washington was proving, beyond the shad-
ow of doubt that, while he and Mamie
Morgan and Cupid had proposed their fu-
ture way of happiness, his mother had de-
termined to dispose Of them all-except her
boy-very summarily. And to this end
was the interview tending when Mrs. Rus
lington sat in her blue silken-cushioned
chair. with her fair blonde face as stern
as her well-bred Indignation could make it.
Mr.. Ruslington stood at one end of the
low mantle-piece, his elbow resting upon it !,
his head leaning lightly on his hand, listen
ing courteously to his mothers low-spoken,
yet none the less passionate words.
"But you are so entirely mistaken, mo-
ther. If you would only permit NE to
bring Mamie to see you. if you would only
give her an opportunity to let you see her,
l am positive you would change your mind.
She is a dainty, refined, high bred little la
dy with face so sweet that it would ap-
peal to you instantly. You would love her,
mother, if you would only lay aside your
pride, your injustice"
Mrs Ruslington only smiled family.
II am sorry you look upon me as preju-
diced, my dear boy. have always studi-
ed your interests, think, and now, when
I recommended you so strongly to marry
Genevieve Wallace, you surely must I'M
derstand regard it for your great good.
Genevieve is very pretty, undeniably a la
dy in birth, manners, education and posi-
ton. She is very rich, and would make a
most suitable match for you-.''
eff loved her-which do not and can
not. Mother, it seems to me you should
not seek to bias my judgment in this. the
most important event Of my life. All my
life L have tried to please you, all my life
been governed very much by your wishes
and advice; but in this case, you must
permit me to know my own heart. You
must remember that where one has care
fully boarded all their wealth of affection,
and not frittered it away one very pretty
face, when one has never loved until they
have brought their judgment and their
disciplined maturity to concur as do, that
such love is a resistless passion, not to be
trified with by any one."
Mrs. Washington looked at his very quiet,
determined face, and knew he would stand
by what he said, and the realization that
Mamie Morgan would be the wife of Ernest
Ruslington came to her with such abhor-
ent force that she rose from her chair,
flashing eyed, frosty-voiced.
II remember nothing but that my son
intends to disgrace his family and himself
1 shall never mention the matter again,
but, rest assured, that if you marry this
obscure, ordinary girl, whose pretty face
is her only commandments if you
please If you do it, all further communi-
cation with me and this house, and your
income, will be ended"
''And you are sure, perfectly sure, it was
right, Ernest? I am so afraid that I have
been doing wrong in permitting myself to
stand between you and your mother. Oh,
Ernest, it IS the only unhappiness that
comes to me as your wife-this knowledge
that am the cause of you and her being
enemies.'
Mamie Ruslington, the year-old wife,
was leaning her lovely head on her hus.
bands shoulder, and together they were
looking interestingly down on little
golden-fossed head, nestled among blan-
kets and lawn, from which it will be de-
Quoted that Ernest Ruslington had not
been inundated by his mothers threats
but had bravely foresworn luxury and ele-
gance for the sake of the girl he loved and
who loved him, and married her, conscious
that he was in the right.
| Mamie Morgan had never been accust
omed to surroundings that were more thar
plainly comfortable, so that to her the
pleasant little home her usband took hel
! to, and which he was enabled to make fol
them in consideration of snug little
sum of money in the bank, saved from his
income, was very paradise to her, where
she was as happy as the day was long, af
ter Ernest had reasoned her into believing
it was not her fault that his mother refused
to countenance them.
He had not been long in obtaining a
good position, and on the salary he re-
ceived he and his young wife lived well
even elegantly.
Then a little baby girl had come to them
and over the Nesting cradle, over this
child, Mamie's conscience condemned hel
afresh, and she cried over baby's fossy
golden hair.
II wish as heartily as you do, darling
that my mother would be friends with u.s.
and she shall know your delicate eompli-
ment in naming bahv Helan Rarwvn after