Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1880-12-17

Caroline, as she sat before the library fire
felt more alone than ever. Within the pas
five years her father, mother and ster hal
been taken away by death, and tonight, o
all nights since these terrible events, sh
seemed to herself most wr-tched and lone
ly. The next day but one was Thanks
giving, and Miss Caroline nerved hersel
to meet this holiday with all the courage
and philosophy she could bring to her aid
There used to be great feasting and mer
riment in the Wyndham mansion on suct
occasions, but the mistress of this beauti
full home could not bring herself yet te
| open its doors for the ,old-fashioned hospi.
talities.
| II was in hopes you wouldn't cry to.
day." said Huldah Thanksgiving morning
as her mistress entered the dining ROOM
Goodness mel my mullins are as light as
| feathers and the coffee is unusually good
| and seems to me this last ham we cut
| beats the rest all holler! Now, I'm going
to broil you nice bit of tenderloin. Say,
don't cry-there's dearle!' and Huldah
patted Miss Caroline's shoulder and wept
herself as she tried to comfort her mis-
tress. "You're got heap to be thankful
for, Miss Caroline. after all,'' Huldah ad-
ded with little protest in her voice.
Eyes, know it" replied Miss Caroline
wiping her eyes. 81 have mullins and ham
to be thankful for, and little more land and
money than my neighbors, she added Bit
terly, and then-s'I don't mean that l
haven't anything, Huldah, for as long as I
have you can It be quite desolate."
''Good gracious!" exclaimed Huldah.
five got lump in my throat as big as a
loaf of bread!" and as she left the dining
room, ''You know, Miss Caroline, that
when get to shifting there ain It no stop
ping me-"
Miss Caroline went to church that morn
ing, and as she walked up the aisle to the
Wyndham pew there were no traces of
tears on her face and her bearing was as
proud and queenly as if, as many thought,
her wealth and position entirely satisfied
her. After the service was over she greet
ID her friends and acquaintance kindly
md then got into her carriage and was
driven quickly home.
perhaps it would have been BETTER
she moaned to herself in her great loneli-
ness, ito have taken somebody home to
dinner with me. But how could I make
them happy with this heavy heart Of mine?',
When the carriage stopped at the front
gate Seth was on hand to open the door.
"Good sermon Miss Gardiner" he asked.
IL don't know, Seth." she answered
''.for believe didn't hear word of it,"
''That's pretty way to go to church,"
her companion laughed and added care
lessly, Say, Miss Caroline, you've got
company TO dinner to-day"
s'How many?' the lady asked in an alb
sent sort of way.
'Only one, Miss Caroline. >" Seth replied,
land he's making himself easy afore the
library fire. You needn't be In hurry if
you've got any fixing up to do.''
just here Seth lodged round the corner
of the house and when Miss Caroline called
upon him to come back he didn't reply,
and the lady walked into the house like
one in dream. Very slowly and deliber-
ately she removed her things and then
stepped into the parlor, which room COM
municated with the library. The folding
doors were partly open, and the first thing
that met the lady 3 longing eyes were
pair of clutches standing in an angle of the
mantle. A little further and there, in her
favorite lolllng chair, reclined the man
whom all those long years she had so faith
fully loved. Her step was as light as
fawn's but Colonel Lowell heard it and was
prepared for her coming. Stepping behind
his chair Miss Caroline placed tender
hand on each of his cheeks and kissing his
forehead said softly between sob and a
laugh:
my dear, thank God you have come
at last.'
Kneellng beside him with her fair head
on his breast and his loving arms round
her the Colonel said: Seth brought me to
dine with you. Did you know it, my darl-
ing?"
''And you shall never go away" Miss
Caroline replied, ''until you are strong
and we'll again and take me with you.''
''Shall not?" he answered. 500 with
me what you please and God knows shall
be satisfied. just here there was a knock
at the door, and Seth and Huldah entered
arm-in-arm.
II just come up,' said Seth with his
usual promptitude, ito tell you that HUI
dab and wor going to be spliced this af-
ternoon. and to ask you if the parson
mightn't just as we'll kill two birds with
one stone2"
Miss Caroline lifted blushing, laugh
ing face to her lovers, but replied quite
clearly. sit seems to me that would be an
excellent planp''
lis it not a shame?" the Col. began
but little hand was placed over his mouth
and the sentence was never finished.
"Well, Seth has come it over me this
time AWFUL said Huldah; "but gave my
word and can't 60 back on it."
''You were wiser than I, Seth, and I
shall be grateful to you as long as ive,"
said Miss Caroline.
''And l." said the Colonel.
That evening there were two weddings
at the Wyndham mansion.
Did the Colonel get we'll?
OF course he did.
The Riprest Man in the World