Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1880-04-02


Dolly an indignant letter. She wrote me
a spirited answer. l demanded an expla
nation as to how she came to know Holly
in the next: and before any answer came
to this, old Mrs. Brusle walked into our
place with her shopping bag in her hand
one morning.
II want you to take NE to some nice
shop, Tom," she said, "if you can spare
an hour or SO. I'm going to buy black
silk for Dolly. and she told me to tell you
all about it. as you seemed to be upset."
1 asked tho permission necessary, and
called cab. Once within it the old lady
began.
you see Dolly will need to be dressed
handsomely. She starts next month. It's
all settled, you know. between her and
Mr.. Holly"
'sSettled ?" cried I.
Eyes" said the old lady. II knew
you'd be pleased with the good news. She
was singing in the choir, and he happened
to go there to church, and he asked an in
PRODUCTION and got it. and called next day.
It's very sudden, very; but she wouldn't
engage herself to him without our consent;
and It's such fine thing that We can't re-
fuse. So we've consented. She'll feel
homesick, no doubt, away from us: but
we mustn't think of that. try not to-"
and then the old lady put her 'kerchief to
her eyes.
"She told you to tell me 7" said.
ssOh, yes" said the old lady.
My heart was on fire, my blood was boil
ing: but made no sign.
"You stay in the city all night don't
you ?" asked.
She said she would, and gave me the
number of her stopping place. After the
shopping was over I went home and took
from my trunk little parcel of letters, q
lock of hair, aribbon-heaven knows what
trashy bits of love treasure-put them in
large business envelope, and walked over
to the old lady's with them.
s'Tell Dolly that I sent her that, and
wish her all the happiness that she de-
serves" said 1.
The old lady heard no sarcasm in my
voice.
81 will, Tom she said; ''and DO come
to see us soon. Wen be lonely without
Dolly
So it was over: and the thing that was
most terrible to dream Of had fallen on
me. And Dolly wrote no letter and made
no sign. 1t was as though she were dead,
and she was dead to me. OF course made
no confidants, and I worked as hard as
ever. The work of a wholesale WOODEN
house does not slacken because clerk is
crossed in love or Tilted. Bales and boxes
and bundles went out and came in all the
same; and what did it matter if looked
pale and lost my appetite, so that did my
figuring and writing and all the rest of it
correctly? But one day as looked1p
from box I had been marking. saw a
sight that made me sick with rage.
Holly. and no one else, with his light
side whiskers and his glossy hat and mar
yelous square shoulders. He was talking
to my uncle, and appeared to be on init
mate terms with him. stood still and
stared at him. In a few moments he saw
me, and putting up his eye-slass, bowed.
1 made no bow in return. Then he came
across the room.
81 dom think it's mistake" said he.
81 met you at the station with Miss
Brusle."
II remember" said.
"She's very we'll, and in little lutter
of COURSE said he. II suppose you've had
letters?''
EXCUSE me, I'm needed elsewhere" 1
said, and dashed away.
An hour after, my uncle coming across
me, said: $50 you know Holly, TOMB
He's not a bad fellow. though bit of a
puppy. He's made good deal OF money
In the theatrical line-manager and all
that, you know. Married sort of cousin
Of my wife's two years ago, 80 we're lit
! tie socable."
us he married MANI" asked.
ooh, yes; why notq" said my uncle.
"Uncle Harold" said I, ''you must let
me run up to Hamilton tonight. It's
life and death matter. / must CO."
"What is the matter, TOMB" said my
uncle.
81 can't tell you,'' said I; "but must
Co.,
''Then you musu,'' said my uncle
"Don't be longer than you can help"
# he had but known how long every
moment seemed to me, he might nave