Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1878-08-09

/ engaged. L ask you frankly W Itll ut II
this is so? If she is. of course [ shall ney-
er tell her what hoped might be.
'If there is nothing which should keep
me from seeking to win her for my wife,
let me hear from you at once. 1t there is,
I shall understand it from your silence.
''Yours, truly.
| STANWOOD LEE"
Lucia Dare got up, with very pale face
and a great ache at her heart. She had
been guilty of doing disgraceful thing,
and that very act had been the means of
bringing to her the one great sorrow of her
life.
"You are terribly punished, Lucia
Dare she said to the white face in the glass
that stared at her as she crossed the room.
s'By that one dishonorable act you de-
s. 1aoyed your lile's happiness.
vsAAs.sat alons that night when the house
Was still, and thought about it. 1t was
torture to think how near she had come to
the realization of the sweetest dream of
her life, and to know that by her own fol-
ly she had lost it all.
Before she went to bed she took the let
ter and inclosed it to Dora. She wrote only
a few lines.
Professor Lee left letter for you one
day when you were not at home, and did
not give it to you. found it to-day and
send it to you. I have read it, and know
how near happiness came to me.'
She could not bring herself to confess,
in plain words, why it never had been
given. But her heart accused her bitterly
enough, and she slept upon pillow wet
with tears of sorrow and repentance. Hard
indeed was the punishment of her wrong
doing.
It was peaceful Sabbath day. The air
was sweet with scents of new-mown grass
and clover, and the birds sang in the elms
church, and all the world seemed in Sab
bath mood.
Lucia Dare heard little ripple of sur
prise run over the congregation just be-
fore the sermon began, and raised her head
to see coming down the aisle-Professor
Lee!
He came straight to her pew. She made
room for him, while her heart was in a
wild futter of hope and love and gladness.
and he sat down beside her, reaching cut
his hand in wordless greeting, which held |
a powerful eloquence in les long close
clasp.
Lucia heard not-a word of the sermon.
Her heart was too full of many emotions
for that. She was glad when it ended.
When the benedictlon was over he
turned to her.
81 have come to ask you a question l
should have asked long ago. May walk
home with you and tell you what it isl"
At last they were free from the crowd Oh
old friends who clamored for hand snake
with the professors, and he drew her hand
within his arm.
81 received letter from your sister two
days ago, and the few words she wrote
sent me here,'' he said, when they were
out in the pleasant street alone. "You
know what the question is l have come to
ASK
''Let me tell you what 1 did, she said,
while her eyes filed with hot tears OF
shame and her cheeks burned; and then she
confessed the disgraceful deed which had
kept them apart SO long.
~ GU have had your punishment" he
answered gravely. IF what you did was
done for love of me, am sure that may |
hope you will not tell me No when l ask
you 10 be my wife. That is the question
/ have come to ask. What answer have
you to give lne p
What her answer was, you know, Q,
reader, as well as if I were to tell you.