Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1878-07-12
comnanv Of such a bonnet as that.

="
ssSplendid evening, isn't it? Come and
have supper, will You2" The speaker was
dashing young fellow, son Of an auc
tioneer who was reputed to be making 8
fortune. 1t was the first invitation thai
William had ever had from Tom Derry.
"Thanks,' he answered promptly; 81
shall be very glad to Gomez And then the
two set off together, and William was by
no means ill-pleased to walk with we'll.
dressed acquaintance, who nodded famili-
airy to one or two men in sphere above
him.
The Derry's lived in pleasant, villa,
with coach-house, stables and green hou
ses. Voices and laughter we're heard in
the garden as the young men approached
the gate. William caught sight of light
dresses futtering about on the lawn, and
remembered certain rumors Of the Derry
girls.
After George street and Fanny's little
work room, it was no wonder, perhaps,
that Gloucester lodge seemed almost am
earthly paradise. Julia Derry, Che young
est and prettiest of the sisters, was dis
posed to be very gracious to William. Sho
wore plenty Of jewelry, and her costume
was made in the latest style. After sup
per she sang and played several fashionable
songs, with William standing beside her to
turn over the music leaves. It was very
pleasant. he thought, to see a girl with
rings on her white hands, and with
out the tell-tale roughness on the left fore
finger.
It was the old, old story. After the
eAening spent at Gloucester Lodge, Will
liam's visits to George street grew rarer
and rarer; and little Fanny dropped visi-
bly, It is not very hard for woman to
bear up under life's burdens while she has
the strong arm of a mans love to lean
upon. But if the prop breaks, it is well
for her if the burden do not crush her al
together. Fanny, however, was not with
out a certain quiet fortitude. She felt that
her prop was giving away, and nerved her.
self to do without it,
"Fanny," said Mrs. Kennawha one
evening as the young dressmaker sat sew
ing in her old window-seat, ''you are not
looking very we'll, my child; I wish Will
liam would come and take you out He
hasen't been here very often lately, has
be ?''
mo, mother; not very often.''
II think you are working too hard,''
continued. the poor woman, signing. II
get well very slowly, Fanny; and the beef
tea and the port wine costs great deal.
I've made up my mind, child, to write to
my brother at last,''
''But. mother, you'll be dreadfully dis
tressed if he dosen't answer. And you
have often said that he will never forgive
you for marrying poor father.''
give been widow for nearly five years,
Fanny, Surely Stephen can bury the old
grievance in my husbands gravel"
'You know best, mother. But father
always spoke of him as hard man."
'Well at any rate, I shall make an at
tempt to soften him. Don't try to talk me
out OF it, Fanny. 1 believe it is the best
thing to do.''
Fanny held her peace, but she had little
hope that her uncle Fenwick would reply
to his sisters letter. She knew that he
was very rich city merchant, several
years older than her mother, but she had
never seen him, and had formed her opin-
ion of his character solely on her fathers
dislike to him. The late Mr.. Kennawha
had been one of those men who have
natural turn for borrowing money, and are
generally severe on friends who refuse to
lend. Perhaps Mrs. Kennawha had taken
some pains to hide the fathers faults from
the child's eyes, for Fanny had never dis
covered them.
Snow, Fanny" said honest Mrs. Marks
bouncing into the little room, "to-mor-
rows Saturday, and yon are going to have
a whole days holiday. Everything plan
ned, SO you may leave off shaking your |
head. Mary Baker has promised to come
aud sit with your mother, Ny man and I
have arranged to take you right off to
Durrant Farm, where my sister lives"
Mrs. Marks and her husband were Mrs.
Kennawha's next-door neighbors. Thev
were childlsss couple, and instead of
wasting affection on dogs and parrots,
they looked out for young people who need
ed love and sympathy. Fanny had no idea
they knew all about her sorrow. She did
not realize how easy it is for shrewd eyes
to read the signs of sick heart.
Early the next morning hired chaise
ratified out of George street, containing
Fanny and her two friends. Of course it
could not be quite a perfect holiday with
out William; but the girl enjoyed fresh
air and rest, and was grateful for kind
ness. 1t was long drive, and when they
reached the farm house Mrs. Marks de-
clared that Fanny had picked up wonder
fully. "a day or two in the country" she
said, s'would put little color in those
cheeks and brighten the eyes that were
dull with watching and working. All,
poor Fanny!'
Durrant Farm stands upon the outskirts /,
Of wood, which has always been favor .
lite haunt with picnic parties. K
The Fates had decreed that the Derrys f
should give a picnic that day: it was ear
[y in September, and town-folks wanted to {
make the most of the waning summer. /,
Miss Julia Derry wore an entirely new {
bought for the occasion, and
rustic hat adorned with peoples
and wheat ears. 1t was very agreeable to
be adm ired, even by mere merchants !
clerk. and she lavished her sweet smiles on t
William Parr.
Arm in arm the pair strolled away from
The rest of the party. He talked nonsense t
and she laughed and listened, and led him
on without thought beyond the hours