Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1878-12-13
MARRYING IN THE FAMILY.

MARRYING IN THE FAMILY.
1.-THE fact of the business was, could
not help it, so married her."
''Not your grandmother" exclaimed.
The major emptied his glass. lit a fresh
pipe, pulled at it vigorously for moment
or two, and without looking at me, re-
piled slowly:
eyes, my grandmother. 1 married her. :"
Shy way of joker" said I, with wave
of my hand.
"By way of solemn earnest, I assure you.
Droll, wasn't it j? Well, what is droller
still that have never regretted it. Dear
old lady She has been great comfort
to me p
1 made no reply. 1 could not. Rack my
brain as might, could recall no form of
coDgratulation suited to man who had
married his grandmother, so held my
peace. f@ .e
''Shall tell you about itp" asked my
companion, soon.
Il am really devoured with curiosity
1 earnestly and truthfully replied.
''Then you shall have the whole story
declared Major Halbrooke.
This was stormy November night, and
the major and I. old friends whom chance
had reunited after separation of several
years, were making ourselves comfortable
in the cozy parlor Of an English inn. And
every one knows how thoroughly cozy such
a place can be, especially when lighted by
the cherry blaze of a roaring, cracking,
sparkling, fire.
ut was five years ago." began Halbrooke
pulling nervously at his long, tawny mus
tache.
By-the-by, he was tall, stalwart fellow
this military friend of mine; well built and
handsome, IN bold, manly way, with fair
wavy hair and bright blue eyes. Undeni-
ably brave, too, as the record of many a
hard fought field and his speedy promotion
could testify.
l confess that 1, Mark Lyndon, a simple
country squire, Flooding and peace-loving,
content to breathe my native air on my own
ground. had at first regarded this dashing
son of Mars with feeling somewhat akin
to envy; but at this startling announce
ment that feeling vanished utterly.
1 could not envy man who had so
cold-bloodedly complicated his own family
relationships. However, l gave HIM my
undivided attention, although I made. a
mental reservation of my approval.
ut was five years ago." began Hal
brooke, : the affair commenced then; but
before say any more, let me recall to your
mind the fact that 1 was always regarded
in the family as my grandfather's heir.
The title and entailed estate would 90, of
course, to his eldest son, my uncle, but the
greater part of his vast wealth would come
to me. In fact. he had so declared. had
lost both parents when but child, and I
had grown to manhood under his immedi-
ate care, for he had long been a widower.
ny father had been his favorlte son. What
more natural than that I should be the
preferred one? There was this under
standing, however, between my grand
father and myself: must never marry
without his approval. Marry! had not
thought of it. My rolllcking bachelor life
pleased me too well to exchange it for any
other.
"And that sort of existence lasted until
I was twenty seven. and then it was
brought to an abrupt close by-what do
you suppose? Well, girls face! Moth
ing more. A girls face seen for brief
moment only at carriage window, as I
was changing cars at Bolton Station. You
smile dom t wonder; but I declare to
you that from thenceforth I knew no
peace of mind. That face was ever before
me, looking out from under gypsy hat,
pale, pure, perfect in outline, with a luxu-
RANT mass of soft, brown hair, full of shiny
rlpples: dark eyes, a little red mouth and
shining white teeth.
''Aousewife I said to myself. again
and again. Some dreamy little chit with
a pretty face and head full of romance
II wish [ had never seen her! At all
events, it is highly probable that we have
met for the first and last time, SO I'll for
get her
"Brave words I could not forget her
and just then. to add to my perplexity, my
regiment was ordered off to India.
IA few days before embarking. l re-
ceived letter from my grandfather, Sir
John Halbrooke, urging me to run down
to The Towers, in order that might meet
the lady who was destined to be my future
wife. My answer was short and to the
point:
"'Deor Grandfather: have no desire
to marry. Besides, l start for India in
two weeks, SO have no time for court
ship. But shall run down to The low
ers to see you. Your atfect1onate. etc.
"The old gentleman's answer was equal
~ concise and explicit
So My Dear Grandson: If you come to
The Towers with the intention OF putting
yourself entirely in my hands ! shall be
overjoyed to see you. II you attempt to
enter my house with any other intention