Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1881-05-27
gently reproachful.

, II am sorry. my DEAR replied Mr.. Lee
, with some embarrassment, 'but l hat
J made up a party to 60 off in my yacht, and
in fact, had to shorten the sail to meet vol
, at all"
Dear papa !" Calculated Gerty, pressing
J his arm tenderly.
MIR. Lee looked doubtfully on the fair
little face nestled against his shoulder; be
was evidently i'll at ease A look of relief
passed over him when Mrs. Grant an
nounced her intention of remaining in her
room for the evening and having her tea
sent to her. She summoned, however, Sc
cretly, Miss Nina Montgomery.
II shall be perfectly frank with you,
COUSIN" she said to that young lady. 81
mean to- write to Mrs. Page and propose an
interview. No skirmishing; I'll come to
the point directly"
! That astute young person looked doubt,
| full. ''She is hesitating; may not opposi.
tion decide her-the wrong way!"
ono, it will brighten her; you said she
is cowardly. No temporizings or heslta-
tions for me. am going for her Ia COM
mon expression" she remarked.
They were playing croquet on very
poor croquet-ground, with large party.
''Mr. Lee," whispered Mrs. Page, twill
you walk on the beach after the game? 1
have something to tell you"
II hope it is something agreeable" he
replied. disturbed by her manner.
| ''Nos it is something very disagreeable.
| The new moon CLEANED very uncertain
ly On the water; delicious salt breezes blew
upon them as they walked up and down
| upon the sands.
| "Mr.' Lee, have had an interview with
your daughter, Mrs. Grant-a very un-
pleasant interview. If had made up my
mind to be her step mother, 1 think 1
should retract; as it is
"What did you say, my dear Mrs. Pager"
asked Mr.. Lee with serenity he was far
| from feeling.
81 said very little. If she had coaxed I
should have told her how little she had to
| fear"
"Ah!' in tone of dismay.
''As she did very much the reverse was
cold, digni6ed, and on-committal. She
was very disagreeable" -and Mrs. Page
wept at the remembrance of her wrongs
accused me Of entrapping and intriguing
talked of your money"-Mrs. Page &C.
tually sobbed-''in short, my dear Mr..
Lee, 1 think I had better leave tomorrow
morning"
"And if you do, what will be the result,
so far as am concerned?" he politely in
terrogated. N
"lf I 60 it will greatly Inconvenience
me, and of course my only object in going
will be to end this matter, Mrs. Grant the
immediate propelling eause.H
An angry CLEAN shot fromsMr. Lees eye.
''I'll take care, - he said, ssthat you'll not
be annoyed in future, Mrs. Grant shall
humbly apologize, and she must leave, not
you.'
my dear Mr.. Lee, promise me that you
will never speak to your daughter on the
subject I cause of discord in your fam
lily! Promise me; insist entreat, that you
will never allude to me. Promise me, dear
Mr.. Lee," continued the coaxing voice.
son one condition. Lee Selling
b is advantage that you stay, and that
what Mrs Grant has said shall have no eff
feet on your conduct or decision. I'll
take no denial" he gently whispered.
"How does our little negotiation stand at
present? 1 am at your mercy; your are
doubtful. hesitating, but the scales weigh
a little in my favor, do they not.''
sob, no. Indeed have never thought
seriously of marrying you, only dislike
to refuse you.''
'sThat last is an admirable frame of
mind; preserve it;' and. as they had left
the beach and were within hearing and OBJ
servatien, the conversation ceased.
Archie and Jack appeared the next day,
summoned by an imperative telegram from
Mr.. Grant.
Now, boys, you must exert yourselves;
I've done all / can, said their sister. 'sShe
is obstinate and odious-would not tell me
anything.
perhaps it is all scare,' exclaimed
Archie.
~ GU are very much mistaken. Papa is
devoted to her and icy to me- There's no
time to lose. We are so intimate with the |
Montgomerys you can be constantly at the |
cottage, and chance will throw opportuni-
ties in your way.''
''Whose turn will it be to speak frst?''
cried Archie. ''I'll throw up a penny;
hoo do rD1n los L.
glance Of despair.
Archie chung pertinaciously to Mrs
Pages side of the piazza, sat next to her
in the omnibus which took them to the
bathing-beach, walked home with her
through the shady lane after the bathing
She was delighted with the gay young
fellow. At length he showed little claw:
Mrs. Page, we are all very much afraid
you are going to marry papa"
"Would you not like me for step-moth-
er?" and she smiled deliciously at him.
His tender heart melted. Like YOU!
who could help liking youp But''-and
ne hesitated-''we don It want step-moth-
IT; stepmothers are deucedly in the way"
An involuntary smile appeared on Mrs
Pages face; then she sighed. |
The good-hearted fellow felt compunc
ion as he heard the sigh. Slang itp' he
'urst forth "Gerty set me at you. She ex
,ects me to be disagreeable, but who could
light dove? It will be dangerous to mar
y papa; we shall be In love with our STEP
nother.''
''Jack,'' he cried to his brother a few
after, II made perfect mess of
t-began to fiatter, and all that. She's
IN ANGELO
s'She is detestable'7 returned Jack; Il