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

"And yet he repeated eagerly; "wha,
does yet imply ?''
81 prefer friends to lovers,'' she answer.
ed. quite decidedly.
"But, my dear Mrs. Page, the world is
censorious. and will not permit friendship
between men aud women"
His tone was somewhat sarcastic. Mr..
Lee evidently did not like opposition.
Mrs. Page looked out on the sea, then
up at her companion. eff could only be
your daughter she whispered softly.
''That's an awful hit at my years, and I
ought to be excessively angry. such an
arrangement could not be carried into eff
feet. Some young fellow would steal you
from me. Besides, my real daughter might
not like it, you know.
:" How would she like your having q
young wife ?" Tell me frankly. Mr.. Lee,
what would your children say to such an
arrangement ?''
Frankly, my dear Mrs. Page, l think
they will not like it at all but I shall
reason calmly and automatically with
them, and prove very clearly that it is
their duty to" and he hesitated.
"Make the best of it.''
"Well, yes and very soon they will be
as much in love with you as 1 am"
Mrs. Page had a hooking, incredulous
air, which Mr.. Lee ignored.
Il shall say to them, although the day
I marry her propose to settle million
on my future wife-'''
ooh, Mr.. Lee !''-her face crimsoned-
chow can you propose to-to-bribe me in
that open way.''
'By no manner of means. This is what
1 am to say to my children. am not say
ng it to you, only rehearsing. Don't IN
terrupt me for moment, please This
million which I settle on the charming
person who condescends to become my
wife should otherwise give to hospital,
therefore how does it affect you my dears?"
81 am very impairment, but do you love
your children much ?''
eyes. I am very fond of them, but I
give them all they ask-let them do what
they please. Why should not do what I
please ? have an idea that they will op-
pose me here, y in frank tone, (which I
confess irrltates me somewhat against
them. However, and his voice became
tender again-s'only give me permission to
make the announcement, and all the diff
culties will be removed."'
Mrs. Page look distressed and perplexed.
''How many children have you, Mr.. Lee?'
II have FOUR
care you sure they will dislike it? Four
in my householder"
"You will have one friend, I am sure,
among them. There is my son William; he
is magnificent fellow; noble good, supe-
rier. He certainly disdains all mercenary
considerations; the others may too, but I
am sure of William. William, you, and I
against Gertrude, Archie and Jack; we
certainly can hold our own.''
Mrs. Page with downcast eyes had pass
ed through every phase of blushing and
agitation while he spoke.
Mr.. Lee, who was shrewd, marked these
signs and took courage: sMy dear, can
you not comfort me little?'' r-
"There are so many objections!'' she
sighed.
''Name them,' he exclaimed eagerly.
"Your children"-in a faltering tone.
"Oh, we have disposed of them"
Your money and the disparity in our
years. in whisper. Cali the world will
think-Dear Mr.. Lee. let me say no, and
like me always in spite of lt.''
II can't consent to anything of the kind.
My money is good: it bridges over the
chasm between eighteen, is it? and fifty.
The million propose to settle Oh you.'
Every well,'s she interrupted, ''If you
propose to buy me, there's an end to our
negotiation"
''On the other hand, am perfectly will
ling that my sixty-fve years-I am really
seventy--should offset with money your
Thirty she replied.
There was brief silence Mr.. Lee was
evidently taking counsel with himself. 3
'Mrs. Page, 1 am going to confde in you.
am not SURE that it is quite right or kind
in me 60 say this; but I have had a very
unhappy life. although the world considers
me fortunate man. My wife was great
invalid. Iindulged her in every possible
way; her least whims were respected; but
all that made existence worth having was
sacrificed in the effort. Our beautiful
homes were scenes of darkness and gloom,
noise maddened her, all guests and gaiety
were excluded. The natural affection
which one would have supposed she would
have had for her children seemed extin-
gnishad by her maladies, and they and
We're the victims. I have known of cheer
full, angelic invalids, but my poor Eleanor
certainly made us all suffer with her. I
managed in some degree to spare my chill
dren; my sons went abroad; my daughter.
with chaperon, entertained at our coun- |
try house while we we're in town;sa as for
myself, she wanted me always with her."
AFTER her death. our physician, who
was an old friend, acknowledged that per-
haps it would have been better for her !
health of body and mind if she had been
forced to regard us more and herself less. |
This was great blow, for / am inclined |
to believe the assertion. However, the re-
suit has been that have now an intention |
to enjoy the brief remainder of life that is |
left me. have an unnatural longing for
gaiety, happiness, society. I have had no
life for forty years, either literary, social,
or religious. She positively did not like
me to 60 to church I am shocked myself |
at making these revelations, but you are
the only living being who has suspicion
as to my feelings l never to my children
or brothers suggested these ideas. How
could enrich and adorn my life more eff