Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1881-01-07


retired to the shop and left the lover
alone. However, she did not stay away
long. In few moments she came run
ming in with her glasses on her nose, ant
an open letter in her hand.
Tread this. one of you,'' she said. "I'vt
read it, but can't believe I understand
it. It seems as though must be crazy
Here, you read it Thomas; I have more
confidence in you"
Then she put the letter into Thomas
Hunts hand and sat down 1T the table.
81 found it on the floor, )" said she. "Tht
postman must have thrown it in at thu
slit. don't know whether it's hoax OF
not, but it's got regular stamp on, an
all. My gracious, how queer I feel"
Meanwhile Thomas Hunt solemnly plac
ed the sheet of paper before him, read il
through, and turned back to the first line
1T ism a hoax" said he. "It's a reg
ular lawyers letter, and what it tells you
'is that your old uncle, Samuel Hacker, Of
London, England, is dead, and you are his
heiress to the tune of 100000. It's down
10 pounds. but that's the sum in our mon
ey.''
"Pinch me! Emma jane" cried Mrs
Hacker. II mean it, dear; and if I DOM
wake up I'll think it's true.''
son, pshaw, ma! It's true enough"
cried Emma Jane. 'How splendid! When
are we to have the money? Oh, isn't it
just lovely?"
But Thomas gave little sigh.
''Mrs. Hacker" he said, maybe you
think mechanic not rich enough or fine
enough for your daughter, now you are
as well off as that. If SO, say so out and
out, and Ill bear it as well as I can.''
"Why. Thomas, if I were queen, I'd
think you a good son-in-law,' said Mrs
Hacker.
"Aud you, Emma 2" said Thomas.
81 shall wait until I get my diamonds
on before I take airs" said his lady love-
Nevertheless the fortune made change
in the programme. 1t was necessary fol
Mrs. Hacker to go TO England, and EN-
rna Jane must 60 with her, she said; and,
on the whole, it seemed best to postpone
the wedding for awhile.
"It wouldn't be respectful to Uncle ST.
mon to marry Immediately" said the
mother.
So Thomas had the unhappiness Of see.
ing lis lady-love leave the shores of her
native land, and went back to his shop
with a very heavy heart.
However, he worked hard, and many
letters comforted him and at last his EN-
ma Jane returned, gorgeous in the last
London fashions; and there was all the
hustle of buying new home, furnishing
it and taking possession of it-and very
little time for the lovers to be together.
"You see," said Mrs. Hacker to Thorn
as Hunt, ''you see Emma Jane is all stir.
red up. She'll settle down after awhile
but young people will be young people, you
know"
2 At home Thomas got less comfort.
Emma Jane feels her money; she
shows it,'' said Grandmother Hunt. "And
the place is too fine for me, and the ser.
wants stare too much. Sarah Hacker is a
sensible woman, but Emma Jane isn't
much to depend on. You'll find that out
Thomas"
Ard roor Thomas did find it out.
You see. Tom,' said Emma, one day,
twirling the cheap ring he had given heI
softly about on her finger, "you see, Tom
somehow I'd rather not be married for a
long while. don't want you to be angry
with me; but never Was rich girl be-
fore-and it's so nice. l get so much at
tention. | don't want to settle down as
an old married woman yet"
"I'll wait, Emma replied Tom.
"Ah, but-but you see it might be nc
use," said Emma. 'sPerhaps never may
want to marry; and if you don't mind tax
ing back the ring, why we can be friends
all the same.
s'Can we?" said Tom, in strange tone.
"Well, shall never be your enemy"
And he put the ring into his vest pocket
but he did not trouble the servant to open
the door of the big house again.
"What ails Tom, Emma Jane," asked
Mrs Hacker. "Why don't he come here
any more?'
''It S just as well he shouldn't an
swered the girl; land if you could only
drop that Jane. ma; hate it So"
''You didn't use tohate your poor grand
mas name," said Mrs. Hacker; but mon
ey has spoiled you, Emma Jane, if it ever
spoiled woman
Don't be cross, MAJ" coaxed Emma
tom is very well, but he is common; and
you know how elegant young Mr.. Vree-
land is, and-and he pays me great deal
of attention, ma"
'sAh, that's it, sighed old Mrs. Hacker.
He's cut Thomas Hunt out. You've
Tilted the poor boY.'
And now Vreeland came often to see
Emma Jane, was her escort everywhere,
drove her out, walked with her, sang SEN
timental songs with his eyes fixed on her
face, and all that might be done to show
swhat his intentions were." And veal
from the day on which Mrs. Hacker took
possession Of her new house, she was not
surprised by hearing that Mr.. VreelanG
desired to see her alone.
Yes, III 90 to see him, my DEAR" said
Mrs. Hacker putting Oh her best cap at
the glass; ''but can't help thinking Of
poor Tom."
Mr.. Vreeland sat in the parlor in exact
ly the proper attitude, wearing the proper
dress, and properly excited-no more. HI,
informed the old lady that be had lost hi
heart to her daughter, and that as he be
lieved he had found favor in that younf
lady's eyes he desired to have permission tt
set the wedding day.
And Mrs. Hacker listened calmly, ant
answered thus.