Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1877-05-25
WAS He IN EARNEST.

Was He IN. EARNEST.
"And SO you think this Miss What's-he
name would be just as fast to marry you
you were poor man, with no expectations
whatever, instead of being mig nephew ant
supposed heir ?''
There was a hurt, indignant look upoi
the frank young face that confronted thu
speaker.
1.-THE young lady's name is Ashton, anl
| never said she was fast to marry me. ,
Il beg your and the young lady's par
don. Y Oh think that Miss ASHTON would
be just as ceiling to marry you if she kne W
| you to be q poor man 20
!. II do. [ would stake my life on the sin.
| certify and disinterestedness of her love. .
Leaning back in his chair, Mr.. Popple-
ton, senior, surveyed Lis nephew with a
smile of superior wisdom, which had in it
something Of contemptuous pity,
''Ha!' that's what all you young fell
lows say when you are in love; we old Eel
lows don't loose our heads SO easily.-And
it's well for you we don't. Why don't I
make g fool Of myself about some woman.
I'd like to know?"
1--WE often wondered, uncle, why you
haven't married.
when l was at your age, was poor
and had something else to think of; and
now that Pm old, I've got more sense l
hope. There's Peter Comstock, whose
head is as gray as mine, he's married girl
young enough to be his daughter and a
pretty life she leads him. When Josiah
Poppleton makes such fool ofsfkstself.
you may shave his head, clash a straight
jacet or him, and put him into a, luaatic.
hospital >,
The young man smiled, and then looked
grave.
''You object to Miss Ashton because she,
is poor and dsessna1ar ?'' =;
her because she IS plerCanarV.
'tYou have no right to say that, uncle,
when you have never even seen her."
II couldt be surer of it if [ had known
her all my life said the old gentleman,
stoutly ''All such people are. You don't
believe it, of course; but let her think you
a poor man, or let q rich one make her an
offer, and you would soon soe.'
Here Mr. Poppleton, senior, glanced at
his watch.
''You'll have to be lively, young man,
if you want to catch the next train.--You
will find the bills for collection on my desk.
Wen talk the matter over when you get
back.''
Mr.. Poppieton waited until he heard the
whistle of the train at took his nephew
out of town. and then putting on his hat,
and buttoning up his coat with a resolute
air. went cut.
He walked very swiftly passing through
several streets and around various corners,
until be came to the house he was in search
ola most unpretending story-and-a-half
affair, on the faded green door of which
were these words:
MISS ASHTON, DREssMAKER."
Mr.. Poppleton regarded it with look of
stern disapproval, and then settling his
hat On his head with a still more resolute
air, marched up the steps and rang the bell.
After waiting some little time, the door
opened revealing TO his bewildered gaze
the loveliest creature he had ever beheld,
whose rosy lips and violet eyes smiled out
upon him, as though he was an old and
long expected friend.
He stared at her for a moment, and then
said:
II am Josiah Poppleton, and [ wish to
see Miss Ashton"
The rosy lips dimpled into a still bright
er smile.
s'That is my name, sir. Won't you walk
imp"
Mr.. Poppleton found himself in one OF
the contest, cheeriest little-sitting rooms
in the world.
The first thing his eyes fell upon was his
own photograph, cabinet size, in a LITTLE
rustic frame Oh the mantel. He remem.
bered giving it to his nephew. And he
remembered, too, with considerable salts
faction. that it was a remarkably fine like
ness.
1.-THE little baggage knew me''he thought
as he took seat, sand that was what
made her smile So"
He felt his courage eoZing from the ends
of his fingers. Somehow, it didn't seem
such an easy thing as he had fancied it
would be to carry out the programme hi
laid down for himself, and lie began t.
wish he was most anywhere else. Blu
here he was, and he must go through
with it.
''Miss Ashton-ahem 1 suppose you
know that am Frederick Poppleton's IN
Gle, and so can guess why am here ?"
Rose glanced up shyly at The speake
from beneath her long brown lashes,
81 suppose it is because he asked you T.
come"
Nothing of the kind. He didn't know
word about it,"
s'Oh!"
, Mr.. Poppleton felt that he was not gel
ting on very we'll; as he considered
highly important that he should get on, h
y summoned all his resolution, and CON
d menced again:
j. ''No, ma'am, I came entirely on my ow
responsibility. consider it matter
duty to let you know that strongly di