Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1877-12-28

49, -
candid manner, she went to her father and
asked
ssWbere is Harry Landon. father?"
s'He has LIFT us, for a better position at
Black So answered her father with his eyes
still on his paper.
"Why did he leave you, father? 1 heard
you say you were going to do more for
him."
Andrew Foster raised his eyes then, and
looking stern]y into his daughters, re-
piled:
HE presumed too far On my friendship,
and it was desirable to both him and my
self that he should seek employment else
where"
Her beautiful, truthful eyes were still
gazing into his with an eager, anxious ex-
preston, She sunk down on a stool at his
feet, leaned her head caressingly against
him moment, and then whispered, with
a blush suffusing her pretty, child-like
face:
s'Father did he tell you that he loved
your daughter? And was it that you sent
him away for?"
Eyes. Gerte. He might have known [
would not listen moment to his suit. He
is very worthy young man: but really it
was very presuming to-
''Presuming, father, in an honorable,
worthy man to love me don't think so.
I feel honored by the love Of such one.
And, farther, he has told you his secret; l
will do so too. Although he may never
know it, I love Harry Landon."
There was much said between the father
and child, she gently pleading for her love,
he Gliding and unyieldlng. A year had
gone by since then. Occasionally Gertie
would meet Harry Landon on the street.
Once they stood side by side at the church
door, and Gertie could not resist placing
her hand in his and Notwithstanding the
probability of Mis-. Grundy's declaring it
very unmaidenly she whispered:
81 know all, and though [ may never be
yours, will never wed another"
Harry was nearer happiness then than he
had dreamed Of ever being again. Now that
he was assured of her love, her constancy,
he would hope and work On.
AS Andrew Foster stood before The WIN
dow that New Years morning looking out
on the passers by, many pleasant looking
faces greeted him with smile, and "Hap-
ply New Year, sir"
A moment more, and the room door was
thrown open, and his son, his only one, the
youngest of his children came running up,
crying out:
"Happy New Y ear for papa! See papa.
Eddie's happy. New Years day, with new
clothes, new boots, new everything. am
going to be neW boy, too. Gertje says
everybody must try to make somebody
happy to-day!' I am going to make Nellie
happy. for I'll stop teasing her. wish J
Oh, wish mama was here" His blue eyes
filed with tears and his lips quiye1ed and
in sorroWful voice he continued: II wish
I had been new boy when mamma was
here"
Was everybody striving to place before
him, hold up for his inspection, his harsh
ness Was every word intended to deal a
sure blow? When the little seven year old
could scarcely repress groan.
She was gone. Two years before she had
passed from earth. Oh, if she was with
him how different it would be? He had
been good husband. and the gentle wife
could not find in him anything to reproach.
But he knew how much was left undone.
How many little loving acts that make life
so doubly sweet were forgotten then.
Again Eddie's voice sounded In the ia
theirs ear.
Papa, are you going to be new man
to-day Papa, make me happy with a
splendid pair Of skates. And Nellie and
Gertie must be happy, too, papa. Make
Gertrude be a new girl, please. She won't
sing and play with us ! she's getting old, l
believer
No argument, no pleading mo matter how
earnest could have made such an impress
sion on Andrew Foster as that child limo
cent prattle.
Again the door opened, and Gertie and
Nellie were beside him. The kisses were
given and received. The father saw his
child was striving to be cheerful and not
cast her shadow over him.
He told them all to speak their wish,
what he should give them that day. Eddie
and Nellie were quick to tell, but Gertie
said, with a smile that threatened to be a
tear.
''Give me what you choose, father. You
give me so much, have no wish to speak !;
but She hesitated-she almost dared
to breathe it forth. No, no she would not
cloud his heart that day. She cast aside
the wild hope, and continued: "Bring me
what you think I'd like; I trust to your
decision -
After breakfast he said:
"You will lay aside your deep mourning
today, my child, and help me receive my
friends. We shall have many, L think"
She promised she would !; but her father
knew it would be an unpleasant task-that
quietly with her little ones, or in acts of
love and mercy.
The guests were all gone. The tiresome
day was nearly over. Gertie had thrown
herself YEARLY into an armchair. There
was no longer any need for assembling:
the forced smiles could die away; she could
rest and weep. The children had beer made
happy. Her father had given all save her
the New Year presents. She had not cared
for any, but she had held a lingering hope
that he might come to her with a word
that would break the long silence, that
she might plead anew with him.
Andrew Foster had closely watched his
child. as she did, and with so much dignity
and grace, the honors of his elegant estab-
Iichnant And he ssw thro11oh tho pooob