Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1879-02-07

ken chill. Yes think you have. Let
us go.''
Oldworth was about to ring the bell
when the door opened and closed, and a
man came up to where they were anding
"a man about the middle height, but
powerfully built. His face, beaten by wind
and tanned by sun, was one which. having
seen, you would not easily forget. The
eyes, which looked straight out at you
from under the heavy, overhanging brows,
i had in them strange and indescribable
fascination. He was man, you could tell
who meant to have his own way-a sort of
/ mastiff, dangerous when arosused.
II have come to offer my congratula-
tlons," he said, addressing himself to Old
worth's wife and holding out his hand,
which she did not appear to see. II have
heard all about it from the post boys-an
about the grand wedding down at farmer
Grants this morning. It was lucky, my
meeting you here. was on my way to
give you important news, which l have
brought from over the sea with me. It's
not night when a man travels faster than
he needs. But can't say you seem glad
to see an old acquaintance.
"My friend,'' put in Oldworth, "this
lady is my wife. She has had a long and
fatigulng ride, and is tonight quite unfit
for conversation; but tomorrow, before
resuming our journey, she will I am sure
be happy to exchange the warmest wishes
J with you.'
| Oldworth had spoken in tone of sweet
patronage, but the other man only looked
in his direction. saying Mary, That's
your choice, is it? Why, he looks as if a
breath of wind would blow him away. But
you must hear my news alone. Get rid Of
him, will you or must I?''
| "One word,'' exclaimed Oldworth, the
color rising in his face, though he strove
to control his voice. "You come from a
journey. the night is stormy, and this is
your excuse for having drank too freely;
but if you can not behave yourself it will
be my duty to have you removed"
'sLook here,'' returned the other, fixing
Low for the first time his eyes upon Old
WOrth's face. ''MY names Mark Shaw.
I'd have taken you back to my heart, and
thought nothing bad OF you. But we can It
get away from this oath. What sort Of
God would He be WHO would let his mama
be taken and sworn just to make fine
sound? No! we can't escape it. Don't
you know we can't? Wasn't it for this,
just to meet you here, that the ship came
! back three months before tie time she was
have taken her in his arms again, but at
that moment the door opened and Old
worth came in.
81 told you should be ten minutes, -
lie said, land have been twelve. Come
Mary; your room is ready. Wish your
friend good night
1T strikes me.' observed Mark, ''shes
not as anxious for that as you would have
her. You've come back too soon; we
haven't done our talk yet; we've a fancy
to f. ISL it on the shore.'''
"a fancy which you must most certain
ly resign" replied Oldworth, forcing a
smile, though he was white as death, and
his hands and lips were quivering, MARY
my dear are you coming?"
mo, she ism IT," put in Mark. "Do you
think she'd rest without knowing my
news? tell you again, you came back too
soon. Five minutes walk and talk on the
shore, and then it will all be over.'
Yes, then it will all be ever, dear,''
said Mary, going to her husband.
| "You don't want to grieveme, do you?'
lie answered. "Come. Mary"
mo; must go to the shore frst,'' she
replied. 'Indeed, should like it. 1t is
such strange news Mark has for me that
it makes my heart throb and burn, and
the night air may cool it."
"You will tell me everything?" said
[ Uldworth.
Eyes, everything" she answered.
"Well, of course, shall come with
you"
CAS- you like,'' calculated Mark, who
during this dialogue had Eeen waiting
| with look of sullen impatience on his
face.
So these three went out into the night.
The white. panic-stl icken moon seemed to
be flying through the sky. followed by
great masses OF cloud. AS these three
came to the shore you could hardly 'ell
which was louder, the wind s voice or the
seas. The spirits Of the ocean and the
storm seemed to be holding some wild
revel. The huge, black, foam crested
waves come with the sound of thunder
against the land, and the Kissing spray,
blown up like smoke. dashed in the faces
OF the two men and the woman. When
they were fairly on the beach Mark turn
was quite audible through the sound of
wind and waves:
'-Look here, now; I'll be frank and
above-board with you. loved this girl a
gether; and it's rough on me that she
should love you better. Come, now, dol It
be greedy; let US have five minutes to
ourselves to say goodbye in, and then l
will never cross your path or hers This
l swear
Oldworth turned to his wife and asked,
''Do you wish it,"
She murmured family: 'Yes; it will be
better, suppose"
So he held her with his arms for min
ute, while he kissed her lips lovingly; then
he let her go, and walked aside, turning
his back to the sea.
The moon was hurrying through the
heavens, and all around Oldworth the
night shook and clamored. At times be
seemed to hear footsteps coming and go
ing near him, and at times he seemed to
hear sound of singing through the