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

The day was yet young, when traveller
left the train at the little station of Nor
ton, and leaving directions about his bag
gage with the station-master sauntered
leisurely up the dusty road. He had en-
gagged summer lodgings by letter, and was
seeking his destination.
go straight ahead till you come to it,
This was the station masters direction
so straight ahead Lucien Gaylord proceed
ed, till he paused to look at tableau vivan7
framed in Towering vines. A girl seated
upon shady porch, Smelling peas. Her
broad hat was pushed back, leaving a face
exposed, purely oval, delicate featured
creamy Of complexion, with brown eyes
and golden hair drawn simply back in
waving bands, to fall in clustering curls
around the slender throat. Most unlike
rustic beauty was the high-bred face, the
slender white hands, the self-possessed
pose; but yet the dress was quiet brown
calico, with white apron, with ruffies and
cuffs.
While Lucien Gaylord looked at her,
she raised her beautiful eyes and saw
him. He raised his hat, asking:
''Can you direct me to Miss Strongest"
sit is here" was the answer.
And opening the gate, Lucien entered
mentally concluding that the silvery voice
was as deliciously refined as the face.
81 am Lucien Gaylord he said, by way
Of Introduction.
tiny Aunt Maria's new ledger. You
had better rest on the porch before l call
her. 1t is a tiresome, sunny walk from
the station
Perfectly easy, with just sufficiently cor
duality in the tone for welcome, Lucien
accepted the invitation, and started
a conversation, watching the dainty
fingers Smelling peas, with a touch that
was light yet firm.
Miss Strong appeared presently, and took
her new ledger to his room, asking her
niece to carry her pan to the kitchen.
''For we will give you an early dinner
after your long walk, she said, Hospitality
bustling about to bring cold water and
fresh towels.
"You sent your trunk? 7 will have it
sent up as so on as 1t comes.'
"May," she told her niece, che is a
gentleman, every inch of him, and hand
some as picture"
II like his Manner May answered
washing her peas at the sink. "Shall l
make custard, aunty?"
'If you will, dear. Oh, dear, to think
of Cynthia taking this day of all others to
act 500
For Cynthia, the only servant, had been
detected in the act of passing spoons from
the kitchen window to villainous look
ing tramp, and the pair had been handed
over to the village constable.
None appearing to replace the thievish
Cynthia, May was often found in the
kitchen, not very efficient but willing, and
succeeding in many culinary triumphs.
simply by obey ing orders.
''I'll make good cook of you, YETI her
aunt often told her, and she laughed mer-
rily at the words.
But Lneien Gaylord, enjoying a brief
summer holiday, often wished heartily that
he might be permitted to live upon bread
and milk, if by so doing he could keep May
out Of the kitchen.
Whenever she was free she found him
waiting for her, and they sat in the porch
or walked in shady lanes, chatting pleas
antly, gradually going beyond surface talk
mutually interested and pleased to find sc
much sympathy of thought and feeling that
time sped Oh too swiftly when they were
together.
He told her of his .boyhood, with q
wealthy father, who died suddenly, leav-
ing nothing of a once handsome fortune
Of his mother who sank soon after under
the pressure of sorrow and poverty; of bis
own position as clerk in a wholesale
house, upon small salary.
Not until they were last friends did he
tell her all this, and little later he tolC
her of new dream. new hope, a love
death only could destroy.
"Will you let me take back to my druid
gerry the hope that if I can conquer for
tune, you will come to share it?'' he ask
ed. "Will you be my wife, love, In thai
future in which hope to gather about mt
at least comfort for home?'
| He had Wooed her in straightforward
manly fashion, and she Was not surprised
| She put her hand in his, promising al
| he asked.
He went back to his desk in the aut
umn, but only week later was Offered
a better position in the contingencies Of
the merchant, John Burnette.
'.It is so strange he wrote to May
''Mr. Brunette himself seems so interest
ed IN me, though am an entire stranger
to him. He watches me and promotes mt
rapidly, seemingly pleased with all do
Darling, if this continues, our home viii
soon be secure.'
1t did continue.
/ Nearly two years had passed, when one
morning Mr.. Burnette called Lucien into
his private office, closing the door after
him.
81 am about to make strange disclosure
to you," he said gravely, "and you must
1 Il all yI,r4 II 1JpNf r.