Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1878-12-06
wonder if shall ever see him agaln!''
! this was what she thought.

this was what she thought.
Josie did see him again and quite often
The Mannings and Croftons were not onl
neighbors. but very intimate. Mary Crot
ton had been strangely attached to Mrs
Manning's only daughter, who died the pre-
cedlng winter. She spent good deal Q
time at her HOUSEHOLD and Josie frequentl
went with her. Mary was never weary Q
praising John; he was such a good sor
and so intelligent. steady and industrious
John soon got over his shyness with thu
city girl, who took SO kindly to countr
ways that it seemed as it she had Away
..Jed there. He used to walk home will
her, Mary CONSIDERABLY lingering by tn
gate to talk with his mother, both wei
pleased at the turn affairs were taking.
Then there were rides and walks, pic
hnlcs ard social gatherings at all of whic1
John and Josie had fashion of getting
off by Themselves fashion that ever,
one seemed to honor and understand.
| And so the happy days went on, each
day binding these young, loving heart
more closely together.
When Josie returned to the city, which
was two weeks later than she intended
she had pleasant story to- whisper in he
fathers ear.
IF you love him and he is worthy o.
you,'' he said in reply to the query will
which it ended.
Josie's quick ear detected the sadness
| that under-ran these words.
"You know you promised to live witt
me when was married, papa" she ,vhis
pered, laying her cheek close to his. "4And
on farm, too! Won't it be delightful?'
Belle and Lucy returned home with that
conscious air of subdued triumph and i'm
portance peculiar to engaged" young la
dies. Having attained the end and aim Of
their existence there was nothing further
for them to hope or expect. From hence
forth they were to repose on their laurels,
floating down the stream of life with no
thought or care for anything but the pres
ent enjoyment.
Bellies captive was Wall Street bro
ker, owning a fabulous amount-on paper.
Lucy's was the son Of a millionaire, whose
sole ambition seemed to be to spend as
quickly as possible the money that his
father had labored so hard to acquire.
They made no attempt to disguise their
surprise and disdain when they heard Of
Josie's modest conquest.
''Only farmer!'' SMILED Mrs. Wilson.
''Never did dream that one of MAJ daugh-
tiers would stoop to that But I suppose
if you have your fathers approval you
don't care for mine.''
"Of course, you can't expect us to visit
you," said Belle, loftily. "The connec-
lions of Charles Augustus are all of the
highest and most aristocratic character,
and it couldn't be Thought off,
Certainly not,'' echoed Lucy. "a wife
has to take the position of her husband,
which is something you had better think
Of"
Josie had thought of it, and very happy
thoughts they were too.
The financial disasters of the three years
that followed made quite change in the
surroundings of all the above, with the
exception of Josie and her husband.
Out of the wreck of Mr.. Wilson's bust.
ness nothing was left but the honor and
integrity, which shown all the more bright
ly from the temporary gloom that shroud-
ed him. His wife took their altered for
tunes very hard fairly fretting and worry
ing herself into the grave, where she was
laid few months after. Penniless and
untitled for anything higher, the husbands
of Belle and Lucy were glad to accept po-
sitions, one as conductor on city car, the
other third-rate clerkship.
Josie does not see much of her sisters,
but many barrel of apples and crock Of
butter find their way to them from the
Manning farm.
Almost every pleasant afternoon gray
haired, placid looking old man can be seen
on the western piazza of the farm house,
frequently with a grandchild on either
knee. 1t is Mr. Wilson, who often thanks
God that one of his daughters married
'only farmer"