Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1881-09-02
THE MILLER'S GRANDDAUGHTER

The summer afternoon waned at last;
the flaming sun declined toward the hori-
zon, and cool, soft breeze, inexpressibly
delightful after the heat of the day, began
to blow.
Since early dawn Lizzie Dupont had
been toiling at her needle, but now she
threw down her work. and leaving the old
mill, stood on the rude plank that crossed
the mill-race, and looked eagerly over the
fields
s'Oh! where can Dossy be?' she cried
s'That dreadful interest, which must be
got ready by Saturday, has made me for
get her. ought not to have listened to
grandpa. l am sure something has hap
pened to her. She never was away so long
before. shall never forgive myself
What, what, she cried, suddenly clasping
her hands, ''if she should be dro wned?"
LIZZIE Dupont had not always been a
resident at the old MILL dependent on her
needle for support. She had once been
and that not SO long ago, the petted daugh-
ter of merchant prince in New York
But her father had failed, and died soon
after, of broken heart; and Lizzie would
have starved if it had not been for her
maternal grandfather. Come to me-, ,,
he had written, IL am old ard poor; but
we will share our crusts together; if you
have grown up to look like your dear moth
er, you will be the apple of my eye" Sc
Lizzie, ignored by her fathers rich rela-
tions, had found refuge in this secluded
spot.
Refuge and peace, but hardly happiness
In the days of her prosperity she had be-
come acquainted with a young English
man, the son of titled family, and had
plighted her troth to him. Just before her
fathers failure, Ross Devereaux had sail
ed for England, intending within six
months, to return and claim his BRIDE
But, from that day to this, Lizzie had new
heard a word about him.
At first she thought her letters had mis-
carried, and in the faith and trust of her
young heart, had continued writing. But,
at last, and after discovering the heart
lessness of her fathers relatives, she be-
gan to believe that even Ross might be
selfish also. II am poor now, and he de-
serts me,'' she said. ''God help me! But
it is, [ suppose, the way of the world"
Lately new trouble had come upon her
Her grandfather had been failing all whit
er, so that man had to be hired to work
the mill, and this had brought them into
debt. Already there was mortgage on
the mill, for the grandfather had never
been prosperous man, and now the in
terest had fallen in arrears for nearly a
twelve-month. The holder of the mort
gage was cruel, avaricious man. He had
often threatened to turn out the little
family, if his interest was not paid; and
two weeks before he had served written
notice, that if the arrears were not forth
coming by the next Saturday, he would be
as good as his word. Every day since,
Lizzy had risen by eandle-light, and work
ed till bedtime. eff [ can only get this
embroidery done for Mrs. Watson" she
said, ''by that dreadful day, may raise
part of the money, at least, and perhaps
then he will wait for the rest.'
But this afternoon new and greater
trouble had come. Dossy, her little pet
sister, had been missing all day. The
child often spent the mornings playing in
the woods, but invariably returned to the
noontida meal On this occasion howav
er, she did not make her appearance. Liz