Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1877-09-28


81 don't know, sir. Isn't there a work
house, or such place could 70 to, until
could find something to dor"
Hardly" he answered, vainly trying TO
repress smile at poor Minnie's simplicity.
"They are putting out the lights, and
preparing to close the office" said Minnie
starting nervously to her feet. II must
go--someWhere!'
miss Harlan" said Frank, quietly,
''my home Is a very poor one(l am only
five hundred dollar clerk-but l am sure
my mother will receive you under her ROOF
for IA day or two. if you can trust me.
"Trust you?' Minnie looked at him
through violet eyes obscured with tears,
and said, "Oh, sir, should be SO thank
ful!''
Glow late you are, Frank! Here, give
me your overcoat; it is all powdered with
snow, and :
But Frank interrupted his bustling,
cheery-face little mother, as she stood on
tip-toe to take off his outer wrappings,
with, ''Hush-sh, mother, therels young
lady down stairs!"
"A young lady, Frankie
eyes, mother; expressed on from Iowa,
to old Harrington, the rich merchant. He
sailed for Europe this morning. and she is
left entirely alone. Mother, she looks like
poor Blanche, and 1 knew you would not
refuse her corner here until she could
find something to do
Mrs. Evans went to the door, and called
cheerfully out ''Come up stairs, my dear;
you are as welcome as the flowers in May
Frank, you did quite right !; you& always
do
The days and weeks passed on, and still
Minnie Harlan remained an inmate Of Mrs.
Evans humble pwelling.
cit seems just as though she had taken
the place OF our dead Blanche" said the
COSY little widow; land she is so useful
about the house. don't know how ever
managed without her. Now, Minnie, you
are not in earnest about leaving us to-
morrow"
81 must, dear Mrs. Evans. Only think,
[ lave been here two months Tomorrow,
and, you know, the situation OF goyerness
is very advantageous.
every well, shall tell Frank how OBJ
stinate you are.''
dearest Mrs. Evans, please don't !
Please keep my secret -
"What secret is that which Is to be so
religously kept ?'' asked Frank, coolly
walking into the midst of the discussion,
with his dark hair tossed about by the wind
and his hazel-brown eyes sparkling archly.
''secret!'' repeated Franks mother, en-
ergetically wiping her dim spectacle glas-
SEES. "Why Minnie is determined to leave
tomorrow.
"Minnien'
II must, Frank. have no right to
further trespass on your kindness"
mo right. eh 4? Minnie, do you know
that the old house has been different
house since you came into it ? Do you sup
pose we want to lose our little sunbeam ?"
Minnie smiled sadly. but her hand felt
very cold and passive in Franks warm
grasp.
you'll stay, Minnie 2" said Frank.
ssNo.o She shook her head determined
ly.
Then you must be made to stay, said
Frank. I've missed something of great
value, lately. and hereby arrest you on
suspicion of the theft!''
Missed something? said Minnie, rising.
turning red and white. Oh, Frank, you
can never suspect me!
''But do not suspect you. In fact, am
quite sure the article is in your posses
sion.''
The artcle!':
"My heart,' Miss Minnie! ''Now, look
here; I know 1 am very young and poor,
but [ love you, Minnie Harlan, and will
be good and true husband to you. Stay
and be my little wife ?"
So Minnie Harlan, instead Of going out
as governess according to the programme
married the dark-haired young clerk in
Ellison's express office, New York. They
were quietly married, early in the morning
and Frank took Minnie home to his moth
er and then went calmly about his bust
ness in the wire cage under the circle Of
gas-lights. ,...f
Evans! ~
s'Y es, SIR
And Frank, with pen behind his ear, as
of yore, quietly obeyed the behests of the
gray-hairel official.
Do you remember the young woman who
was expressed on from Millington, Iowa,
two months since?
Yes, sir remember her.
A tall, slver-haired gentleman here in
terposed with eager quickness:
Where is she d? l am her uncle, Walter
Paris when the news of her arrival reached
me. | want her; she is the only living re-
lative left ne.
All but, sir, said Frank, you can't have
her
Can't have her? What do you mean :?
Ha> anything happened?
Yes, sir; something has happened, Miss
Harlan is now my wife; we were married
this morning.
Walter Harrington saved. Take me to
her, he said, hoarsely 1 can't be parted
from my only living relative for mere
whim.
Iwonder if he calls the marriage service
and wedding ring mere within, thought
honest Frank; but he obeyed in sileuce.
Minnie, said the old man, in faltering ac-
daughter of my old age. Lam rich, Min
ME, and you are all have in the world,
But Minnie stole her hand through her
husbands arm.
Then you must both of you come and be