Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1879-08-08

i SELF quite unanle TO resist the CHEEKY
pleasant influence he carried with him.
! And it was evident from the very first
day of their acquaintance that Mr.. Will
liam Smith had but one thought win
ming Of Eleanor Bethune.
When she returned to New Y ork in the
autumn she ventured to cast up her &C
counts with life, and she was rather
amazed at the result. For she was quite
aware that she was in love with this vii.
liam Smith in a way that she had never
| been with the other. The first had been
sentimental ideal; the second was a
genuine case of sincere and passionate af-
lection. She felt that the desertion OF
this lover would be grief far beyond the
power of satin and lace to cure.
But her new lover had never a disloYal
thought to his mistress, and his love
I transplanted to the pleasant places of New
York life, seemed to find its native air. 1t
enveloped Eleanor now like a glad and
heavenly atmosphere; she was so happy
that she dreaded any change; it seemed to
her that no change could make her happier
But if good is good, still better carries
the day, and Mr.. Smith thought marriage
would be a great deal better than love-
making. Eleanor and he were sitting in
the fire-lit parlor, very still and very hap
py. when he whispered this opinion to her:
'It is only four months since we met.
DEAR"
only four months, darling; but 1 had
been dreaming about you for months be-
fore that. Let me hold your hands, sweet
while 1 tell you. On the goth of last April
l was on the point of leaving for Colorado
to look after the Silver Cup Mine. My
carriage was ordered, and, was waiting
at my hotel for it. A servant brought me
letter-the dearest, sweetest little letter
see, here it isl" and this William Smith
absolutely laid before Eleanor her own
pretty, loving reply to the first William
Smiths offer.
Eleanor looked queerly at it and smiled.
''What did you think, dear?"
'That it was just the pleasantest thing
that ever happened to me. It was direct
ed to Mr.. W. Smith, and had been given
into my hands. 1 was not going to seek
up any other W. Smith,"
''But you must have been sure that it
was not intended for you, and you did not
know Eleanor Bethune.'"
sob, beg your pardon, sweetheart; it
was intended for me. 1 can imagine des-
tiny standing sarcastically by your side,
and watching you send the letter to one
W. Smith when she intended it for another
W. Smith. Eleanor Bethune I meant to
know just as soon as possible. I was COM
ing back to New York to look you."
"And, instead, she went to you in Colo
RADIO"
'Only think of that! Why, love. wnen
that blessed telegraph clerk said, who
sends this message2' and you said, Mrs
Eleanor Bethune,' I wanted to fling nv
hat to the sky. I did not lose my head as
badly when they found that new lead in
the Silver Cliff
"Won't you give me that letter, and let
me destroy it, William? It was written
to the wrong Smith, and delivered to the
wrong Smith,
sit was written to the wrong Smith. but
it was gived to the right Smith. Still, Ell
eanor, if you will say one little word to
me, you may do what you like with the
letter."
Then Eleanor whispered the word, and
the blaze Of the burning letter made a lit
tie illumination in honor of their betrothal
kiss .-Harper's Weekly.