Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1881-06-17

-defant-like child who had COM
mitted fault.
"YOu seem very we'll acquainted with
Mr.. Tredegar," he said. after moment s
silence.
|. II am" she said quickly, but with de-
FAINT look deepening in her dark eyes.
"You never mentioned that fact to me
Bennie," he said. looking at her steadily
and searchingly.
''I-I-didn't know I was obliged to
make you my confessor," she said sullenly,
and avoiding his eyes.
'Bennie,' he began, speaking tenderly
still, but she Interrupted him.
"You are hard and unfair to me, David
always; you want me to speak to and
look at no one but you, and am tired of
it-tired to DEATH"
She spoke rapidly and clearly, as though
repeating a part which she had studied
WE'LL
"Bennie," said David, gently, "you are
ill, you are not quite yourself, or you
would never be so unjust to man who
loves you as I do. have never been jeal-
Gus of you. dear. I love and trust you too
entirely for that.''
"But do not love you," the girls voice
sounded sharp and strange. II have felt
this coming long time, and our engage
ment has been all mistake, I could new.
er be happy as your wife. 1 could never
be content with the life, the pinching,
saving life, that you would give me. 1
could meyer be content with you. Take
back your ring, for I can wear it no lon
GER" and she put the ring in his hand. II
came here tonight hoping that [ should
have the courage to tell you this, and l
have. I hope you don't mind it much,
DAVID with a half-frightened look at his
set white face. II am not good enough
for you anyway. 1 am only a weak, fool
ish girl, who could never make you happy,
and some day think you will be glad that
this happened"
She rose as she spoke and pulled her
cloak around her.
Don't think hard of me, David" she
said, 'you ought to thank me for telling
you the truth. Do not mind about COM
ing with me, am not afraid
"Wait," he said, 81 shall go with you"
She waited until he was ready, and then
with last frightened look at his white
face, she went out with him into the dark
ness.
Silently and swiftly they went thro ugh
the foggy streets, and it was not until
their walk was nearly over that David
Gray spoke.
"Bennie," he said, gently, ''are you
quite sure about this? I do not think you
realize how cruelty you have hurt me to-
night--you are taking the best of my life
away forever. Bonnie. darling, tell me
that you did not mean it; take back this
ring and wear it,
She pushed his hand back passionately.
81 did mean i'll" she cried. 81 can never
marry you. I don It love you. You are the
best and kindest man in the world. but I
don't love you"
''This is the end, then.'' David Gray
put his hand up to his forehead like man
who had received mortal blow. II shall
never trouble you about it again, Ben
ME-"
She laid her hand timidly on his arm.
"You do not mind it so very much then
David? am so glad!'
He took her hand tenderly in his.
81 shall mind it so much that I shall
never forget the little girl who has made
year of my life SO happy that I shall never
cease to love her. Believe and trust me as
a true friend. Bonnie, always; will never
fail you.''
''And you will not tell auntie-not just
yet, I mean. I dread to have her know,
she will be so angry. Seem the same as
before for while, will you not?'
II will do whatever you wish," he said
gravely, and then as they went up the
steps Of their home she pulled at his coat
in her childish way till he bent his face
down to hers.
'You are my best friend, David" she
said, ''you have always been good to me-"
and before he realized her intention she
kissed him softly, for the last time.
That night when he went up to his room
Bennie opened her door as he was passing
by.
DAVID she said, and he saw that she
had been weeping, 81 wanted to ask you
once more-I wanted to be sure-that you
do not care so very much about It," He
laid his hand softly on her shoulder.
'My child" he said, II am content with
whatever makes you the happiest; you
must not worry, little one," and then as
she turned away he detained her for mo-
ment.
'sThere is one question which think
you should let me ask you. Is there any
one else who"
The pretty face before him grew scarlet
and he needed no other answer.
81 see," he said gravely; "Bennie, if it
is he who was with us tonight, be careful
be very careful, little one."
She drew back in sudden anger.
"You have no right" she began pas
sionately, but his stern face silenced her.
81 have the right of an honest man to
warn you against one who may do you
harm. For your own sake, Bennle. be
careIul.''
you are kind" she said, after mo-
ment's pause, ''my best friend. surely
goodnight" and she was gone.
Poor David Gray SO his romance had
ended. He had taken fancy to Bonnie.
when he had first seen her-a shy, I'M
known child, seemingly out of place in the
great boarding house, kept by the aunt
who had adopted her--and the two had
been great friends. until David suddenly
found that the child was child no longer