Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1877-08-03

l.
When the inmates of the pleasant ''sum
mer boarding house at the shore OF Gree
Lake, came out for their accustomed Gro
quet al, honr or so later, the two gentle
men could hardly help exchanging, an ap
preciative smile us Marguerite and Pencil
ope adroitly but firmly carried out TIN
terms of the compact. M
i Tom Lynn, however, perceived less beau
ty than hitherto in the fresh, rosy, aggres
sive face of Pen Gardner, while the pleas
ant smiles of the dark-eyed Marguerite
were none the less agreeable because Ton
! felt that she had,, in a manner, s'stood VI
for him. in his absence. In fact, so en-
tirely and contentedly did he resign him
,selfs to his new owner, that Pen ceult
| hardly conceal her surprise and pique
She remembered the bitter suggestion Of
1.-THE pearl'' that morning, and muttered tt
herself :AE h.ti 1ttf a
Marguerite was right. But then he is
not large enough to hold a strong fancy
| do we'll to hate small men,
There was nothing to be gained. hoW~
ever, by hating a right down good fellow,
a generous and brave one too, like hand
some Tom Lynn, and g. the pearl'' took his
part at every sign of a collision in WAY
that indicated a very decided disposition
to stand by her own. ......1... s.,s
'sShe forgets," thought Pen. "She is
showing him what o tongue she has. ''aa
AS for Colonel Waring, he was one OF
the few men who thoroughly enjoy croquet.
and it delighted hlm beyond measure to
have so good a partner, and to win q hard
fought game over such skillful opponents
as Tom Lynn and Marguerite Allen.
''He plays splendidly," thought Pen.
''I>m glad I bought him. He's worth a
hundYed green lions. But must say, [
think Tom Lynn is behaving very pecu-
liarly. 1t won't do for Marguerite to trifle
with him. They will make themselves look
silly if they're not CAREFUL
Tom Lynn was not looking silly just
then, only very undeniabIy handsome.
New Corners indeed that day, apparently
strangers to each other and to everybody
else-what Colonel Waring described as
"a mixed lot.'' The landlady, MRS. Rob
inson, of course knew all about them, and
was inclined to be proud Of at least a part
of them.
eff you're to be traded off, said Tom
Lynn to Warng, 'Ssit must be for Garcia"
ssHows that 2" said the colonel. Il out
weigh him good fifty pounds tt.-|
Mere beef sid Tom; II beg your
pardon-mere flesh and bones. Think of
Cuban plantations and his Mexican mines.
There's where his weight comes from.
Hadn't you better give it up ?"
Cant say" growled the Colonel. Il
Shall look on fer a while always enjoy ed
watching a trade. Do you really think
Pen would swap me for the Cuban Why,
that back-eyed daughter of his is almost
her own age She's handsome, too"
"Who's handsome 20 asked Tom.
open is, of course,'' said the colonel !;
ssbut meant che daughter, Miss Garcia
''The daughter ?' asked Tom.
"Why,S yes. said tile colonel ''What
on earth are you dflYlng at |!
EXAMINATIONS, mines,'' muttered Tom.
"H m Yes, the daughter" And with
shat Tom swung himself airly out upon the
piazza, leaving his friend in good deal of
a puzzle.
s'Tom isn't a marrying man." he solilo
quized; s'but that daughter of Garcia IS
has at attractions of more kinds than one.
He's little fellow, Tom is, but he's won
derfully keen. l do1Ft understand him
half the time. There he is now, marching
up and down with Marguerite Allen.
Looks as if there was some kind Of a row
already. Guess I'd better go and hunt up
Penelope.''
Intelligent enough was the athletic colo
mel, but conscious Of a CERTAIN degree Of
slowness, as compared with his ready
minded, keen-eyed friend. 1t had more
than once occurred to him that Penn was
acute, for a woman, as Tom was for a man
which means that either of them surpass-
ed the other at all the points where they
did not meet Pen found out her side Of
that fact the day she began to hate small
men, and sold out her claim on the one she
had in hand. fd ."t
Nobody but Tom Lynn could hear what
''the pearl'' was saying as as they contlnu-
ed their slow promenade.
esMrs Robinson is vexed :? Yes, of
course; but can't help it. I'd rather
spend the rest of my summer elsewhere
| !, 70 H,,,.,,, fr,1 ;; T.
''Why ?" asked Tom. 2 "f
s'Have you met her - replied Marguer-
tie.
''Seen her; not yet spoken,' said Tom.
'sHavent seen her father
wish you had seen him. said Mar
guerite. Tile seems to be an explanation
of her I think as soon as my mother re-
turns-that's three days noW7I shall ask
her to carry me away from this"
s'You seem very strong in your likes and
dislikes-at least in your first impressions, 2
said Tom.
$50 and take another look at Miss Gar
CHA, them" responded his companion.
See her father too, if you can. You may
be able to tell me why ought to be fasci-
mated with them. A child can lead me,
you know"
Tom actually colored, and Marguerite
saw it.. She felt us if she could lave bit
ten her tongue off, for she well knew there
was nothing childish about Tom. Even
| his stature was but little less than the
'smiddle" measure. Still, she had hurt
him. She discerned that clearly enough
and she stumbled to make amends.
may be foolish and prejudiced," she
said, quickly; "and [ have great conf
dence in your judgement. - j:
"Did she ever?'' said Tom. But the
flush had disappeared from his face, fol
Margueritess tone had been even more