Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1881-09-02

zie was alarmed, and would have gone to
seek her; but the grandfather took it more
coolly: "She has stopped at some of the
nelghbors,'' he said, ''she will be home for
supper. Don'G fret, dear.' Lzzy thinking
OF the coming Saturday had allowed her.
self to be persuaded that all was right, and
had gone back to her work. But, as the
afternoon wore OF and no Dossy came, she
grew seriously alarmed. At last. throw
ing down her needle, she came out as we
have seen.
''Oh, Dossy, Dossy,'' she cried, when
she had scrutinized the landscape valnly
in every direction. sswhere are you? If
God will only spare you, dear,-if he will
give you back to us alive-I will never re-
pine again at anything"
But where was Dossy? Was she really
lost? A
To explain this, we must 60 back to the
afternoon before, and lock at Dossy, as
she sat IN the old-fashioned garden, sway
ing to and fro in a grapevine swing. puz-
cling over the troubles of the family. She
was watching bobolink that sung in the
heart of lilac-bush, and talking to her
self the while.
'sWhat nasty, ugly old man that land
lord ISL she said; "and he made poor Liz
zie cry so the other day, when he was here.
He says he'll drive us from our home
Why. then,'' with sudden consciousness,
s'we'll have no place to live in, and shall
never hear you sing, birdie, nor have my
flowers, nor my kittens. Oh, me! Oh.
me-!
She sobbed little, then shook off her
April tears, and then fell to thinking in
earnest If they only had some money
What If she could get some! She pucker-
ed her brows into a frown. just then
some market carts rolled by, laden with
produce, on their way to neighboring
little town. On the front seat of one sat
an old woman with basket of flowers on
her knees. a sudden thought flashed on
Dssy, and the puckered little brow clear
ed up. Why couldn't she sell fowers!-
Her garden was full of them, especially of
pansies, such panses as were not often
seen.
She jumped from the swing so quickly
that she landed head foremost in the
grasses below. But nothing daunted, she
regained her feet, and began picking off
the golden-hearted pansies and English
daises by handfuls. She would do it; yes,
indeed. she would, and make ever so much
money; and they wouldn't have to leave
the mill, and grandpa and Sissie wouldn't
cry any more. She fell to work arranging
her bouquets for the morrow, her eyes
fairly dancing with delight. She put them
together quite tastefully, and by the time
the summer moon stood over the pines.
she had long row set up amid the ever
green's, that the dews might keep them
fresh. In the morning. as soon as break
fast was over. she would set off.
Dear, innocent Dossy! She had not the
least doubt that she would succeed, and
she slept but little that night in her excite
ment Over and over she rose from her
little bed. and stole on tip-toe to the win
dow to look down on her treasures.
The morrow dawned cloudlessly. Break
fast over, Dossy ran down to the garden,
crammed her posies into Lizzie's market
basket. and taking it on her chubby arm,
arm, trudged away, fortunately unnoticed.
On she sped, past the long, long lines of
fences, and down into the very heart of
the town. Her cheeks were crimson, her
breath came in gasps, she almost stumbled
from fatigue; but at last she reached the
market-place, and stopped in little cor
ner, where the shadows fell. cool, and
where the old blind woman was selling
laces. Here, feeling a sense of safety and
companionship, from the presence of the
old blind creature. she sat down and be-
gan with hands to arrange her posies in
front of her. What picture she made in
her white frock, with its shart pulled
sleeves; her eyes ablaze. her amber ring
let's, blown about by the morning breeze,
framed, as it were, by a border of yellow
dases and golden-hearted pansies. At
the silvery call of the sweet bird-like pip
ping, "Who'l buy my pansles ~ one ard
another pedestrian looked back, few
smiled, and some stopped and purchased
Presently farmer, who had just such
little one at home. bought one of her nose
gays, and paid for it with half dollar.
Dossy was in raptures. Then another
gentleman came long, this time compar-
atlvely young one, but tall and dark, with
\ bronzed face.
won't you buy bunch of pansies, sir.
please 20 said little Dossy.
The stranger, who had not noticed her
before, stopped and looked for the little
piping voice.
s'Please sir,'' said Dossy holding up
posie. 'sonly twenty-five cents.''
The young man flashed a keen glance at
Dossy, and drew near, smiling.
''To be sure will, - said he, pleasantly,
'-if only for the SAKE of your bright eyes.
twenty-five cents, you said, Ithink9" and
he drew out his purse,
"Yes,'' said Dossy. apologetically,
imagining he thought the price too high.
''You see have to ask good DEAL" and
she shook her curly head with grave, i'm
portant air, 'for Lizzie must have the
money by Saturday, or we shall.be turned
out Of our pretty home" AS she finished
she rendered to her auditor the prettiest
of her posies, which she had just selected
for him out of her store.
The stranger all this time, had been
looking curiously at her. The color went
and came on his face, his lips trembled,
and he showed other signs of emotion.
''Tell me,'' he cried earnestly, ':my dear,
what is YOUR name ?''