Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1881-01-07

An hour afterward Emma Jane. to
whom her mother had told the same story
of speculation and loss, received note,
which the Vreelands' black servant had
brought to the door. 1t ran thus
"MY DARLING EMMA: You know I
adore and must adore you forever; but my
habits are extravagant. My father, like
your mother, has entered into disastrous
speculations, and will not bind you tc a
marriage which could result in nothing
but misery. Yours ever, in deep despair,
REGINALD .VREELAND."
All, it was all like dream to Emma
They went back to the old house, and the
shop was opened again. The dirty boxes
were brushed, the counter oiled, the pins
and buttons, and striped blue elastic, and
boxes of cheap thimbles, and the cardboard
notices stamped for working in silk,
graced the glass case once more.
The same limited number of customers
dropped in, and Emma served behind the
counter, and washed dishes in the, back
room. She was very, very wretched and
life looked dark indeed to her.
Old Mrs. Hunt and Thomas still lived
on the upper floor. The old grandmother
told Mrs. Hacker that Tom was beginning
to like Fannie Earle, the hair-dresser's
pretty daughter.
Sometimes Tom would pass the window,
but he never looked toward 1t.
Emma used to sit behind the counter
thinking of him What lover she had
had, and she had cast him away for for
tune hunter. Her verdict was that she
deserved punishment, and she was very
sad and very meek.
She expected nothing now but to die an
old maid, living behind that little shop
counter and never having any admiration
or attention again.
In this mood she sat beside her mother
one winter evening. The table was spread
with the thick stone china; the brown tea
pot and the pan of sausage Kissed on the
stove. The door stood open between the
shop and the parlor. All that had hap
pened since might have been dream, and
it might have been the same..night, year
before, when the letter had come to them
which had made such changes, and Emma
had even poured out The second cup of tea
for her mother, when the door into the
hall creaked, and Looking up, she saw Tom,
big and brown as ever, with such a look
in his eyes. But it could not be for her;
she did not deserve it. And Emma
dropped her head upon her hands and
burst into tears.
Then she felt Tom kneel down beside
her and put his arm around her waist.
''Look at me, Emma" he whispered.
"Look at me my dear. l cannot bear it
any more. I never can help loving you,
and for all that's come and gone, l believe
you do love me little.'' =
Then Emma found courage to put her
hands upon his shoulders and whisper:
''Oh, Tom, believe do"
x X x X
They were marrld in very little while,
and it was only after the wedding that old
Mrs. Hacker. with very solemn face. in
formed them that she had confession to
make.
81 haven't lost my money at all, my
dears," she said "I'm half afraid of it.,
for 1t seemed to bring unhappiness with it.
Yet still it is comfortable to be rich. And
now you are married to an honest man,
that chose you when you were poor, my
dear, we might as we'll make the most of
it, and all go over together-Granny Hunt
and ALTO the big house the servants
are keeping for US, thinking we're off on
journey. shall never blame myself, and
don't think any of you will blame me,
either.''
Tom looked at Emma, but she only
threw her arms about his neck and hid her
face in his bosom and said:
1.-The money cannot make me any hap
pier than I am, Tom"
And even Grandmother Hunt declared:
''The house don't seem too fine to me
now, for there's love in it, and truth in it,
and my Tom IS as happy as the day."