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

Mis-. UIduL, Ills uduRuG0E, d pretty DlOnQ
with a fastidious. disdainful air, enters tn
| breakfast room attired in an exquisit
white morning dress and enveloped in
rf1eecy shawl.
There is lovely picture through tn
open windows of smooth lawn skirted b
magnificent old trees. Delicious odor
gneet her from the flowers on the break
fast table.
| She seats herself. fills the daintiest o
china cups with tea, takes piece of toas
and opens her letters.
Have the gentlemen all breakfasted
James? Shut the door; there isla draught.
Then she is soon absorbed in her CORES
4 pondenee.
Her aanguid affectations leave her, az
angry flush rises on her cheeks, her eye
| dilate, and, evidently too discomposed t,
continue her slight repast. she exclaim
impatiently, ''Where are Mr.. Archie ant
all of them? Say that want to see then
| Immediately, something of great impor
| tance, in the library. Now James"-ht
| was an old servant-s'make them al
come"
Mrs. Grant sank into an arm chair in
the cool, shaded room, and Archie, Jack
lastly her husband, a fresh English looking
youth, came lounging in.
What is it Gerty?" cried Archie. Scr.
tainiy something uncommon must be to
pay"
"What low expression!' with little
air of disgust. ''Shut the door; you will
not laugh when you hear my news.''
They clustered about her; her husband
presented her CALAMITY with a bunch OF
violets.
sob what nonsense, Harry, I will take
them, though catching them hastily and
putting them in her belt-"when a sword
is suspended over our heads! Papa is go
ing to be marriedI''
Archie tumbled off his chair in very
evident and boisterous manner; Jack star
ted up with a smothered, angry exclama-
ton; and her husband looked crestfalIen
Yes, there is no other word to describe ex-
actly his expression.
Chow do you know? Has he written?''
exclaimed Archie, recovering his equilib-
rum.
'Nina Montgomery has written me.
She is staying at the same place, in the
very house with papa's inamorata. I'll
read you her letter:
dearest Gerty; Doing precisely as I'd
be done by, write in the very greatest
hurry to tell you that, unless you can pre-
vent it. your father will be married to a
fascinating, intriguing kind Of cousin Of
mine, who is doing all in her power to
make him and every one else in love with
her,"
'What scare for nothing!'' interrupted
Jack. HE is, only in love; thought 1t
was all fixed"
''Wait till you hear MORE" solemnly re-
piled his sister.
'''She is widow, and fatally, danger
onsly charming. [ hate her, but am forced
to acknowledge this. Every creature, ex-
cept me, whom she looks at likes her. She
has light hazel eyes, wonderful hair, an
exquisite white skin, and whether she
walks or sits still, looks up or down, is IT.
resistible. Her very voice would charm
the bird off the tree. I hate her because 1
am jealous of her, and although she purrs
over me will not be friendly. Very well,
III come to the point. 1 heard your father
entreat, beseech, her to marry him. I lis
tened: yes, was so base even as that, sat
near window, they were on the piazza
He told her he'd settle million on her
alluded to all Of you, aud seemed to think
no one but William would like it.
''There is no use in my saying any more.
Come on in full force. She's cowardly
little thing. and has scruples. [ think you
can prevent it.
Yours, with much sympathy,
emma MONTGOMERY ,"
Mrs. Grant laid the letter gravely down
on the library-table, gazed at the three
with questioning glance, and languidly
inhaled the perfume of her blue violets.
''How can father be such fool ?" ex-
exclaimed Jack; she is seventy odd years
old"
"Poor father" said Archie, show devo-
ted and kind he was to mamma. Let him
marry if he pleases."
'sYeu little know what you are saying,''
shrieked Gertrude. ''Let him marry!''
with sarcastic air. ''The woman is an
artful, designing mink! Do you suppose
she'll be content with her million ? By
no manner of means. She'll never rest
until she has put us out of the house, and
out of his heart. and out of his will Shell
take possession Ct him. I've heard too
much Of rich old fathers and young STEP
mothers. Mrs: Brooks made her husband
leave her every bit of his property, cutting
off his daughters with shilling. When
the poor man wanted to retract, make a
new will or something, they said he had
had an attack of paralysis in the mean
time, and was incapable. Actually, when |
be wanted to alter it. with death star
ring him in the face, he couldn't! l feel
awfullY sorrow for papa" added Gerty.
He has had very gloomy life, and if he
were younger man-but how long could
be live with his pretty young widow
Three-score years and ten, the Bible says,
Is the limit, and he has almost attained
IT,"
81 wish William were here," exclaimed
Archie; she'd tell us what to do.''
He'd tell us just to make the best of
t." cried Gerty. civilian would let ia
her cut his civilian 81 throat cheerfully
f he were so inclined. He dotes on papa.
50 do we all, she added with sigh, ''on=
y we don't want him to be married. It is
lndignifed, it is preposterous! p with ris-
ng indignation. ''We can prevent it.
Nina says she's cowardly; let US use our
Utmost endeayors. I shall start to-day.