Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1881-05-27
sion, but am exceedingly DESTROYS of see
ing you, and alone"
She bowed stifiy.

ing you, and alone"
She bowed stiffly.
"Mrs. Page, we have been told of NV
tather's proposal, and that you think of
accepting him. The idea is very disagree
able to all of us-to all of u.s. he repeated
firmly; I'm fact. we can scarcely think
well of you. 1t puts you in most suspi-
cious, really odious. hght.'' .esa7ea
Mrs. Page did not look. dove like at this
moment; her light brown eyes flashed in
dignantly at him. .ra.,..@.
"Ihere is but one object in marrying
my rather" he resumed after moments
pause. sit is transaction common
enough in Mohamedan countries. Yon
are purchased with million of dollars: I
think that was the sum mentioned p''
Her lip qulvered like child's, ind1ena-
ton and tears strove for the mastery. hut
cry she would not: he never should have
that satisfaction.
MIR. Lee" she exclaimed. ssT dop,t
know what to think of your conduct; I
thlnk 1t is cowardly, dastardly. You are
afraid OF demonstrating with your father.
but you hurl cruel, insulting words at me.
poor, defenceless woman. admire your
father, am even fond of him; but L was
very far from consenting to marry him.
Now think will, What his entreaties
could not effect, your insolence has, She
rose and with Juno.like air swept away.
EFT tn, Brutep" exclaimed Mr.. Lee se-
nior to his son William, who had walked
from the station, and was registering his
arrival in the book in the office. ! 6iesee
mot at all my dear father;n and he took
his fathers arm and led him away, ST
only came to see that you had fair play,
Marry whom you please and as you please.
But what is the lady's name?"
''She Is Mrs. Page-a widow
''Ah!' exclaimed William, and his cor
dlality to degree vanished.
LET me Introduce you, )" said his father.
mo, am dusty and tired; I'll make nv
own way. They say she is staying with
the Montgomerys.
Mrs. Page began to be very weary with
all these complications. She had been
hemmed in, beleaguered, by the Lees, and
was taking brisk morning walk, on a
dusty highway, toward neighboring town
IN hopes to escape them for time. Some
one, however, was in swift pursuit; she
felt that it was Lee. The footsteps
gained upon her.
"Alice!'' exclaimed full, melodious
voice; and William Lee seized both her
hands. ''Alice. is it really you?''
Mrs. Page trembled and looked very
pale. He placed her on large stone
which stood conveniently near, and sat
down beside her.
''Alice, where were you? L travelled
over Europe in search of you. Will you
forgive me, my darling, my suspicious, my
anger, my absurd jealousy!''
Mrs. Page closed her eyes and tears rolled
down her cheeks.
At this juncture Mr.. Lee senior, breath
less with his chase after her, came up. He
felt that this was scene, and waited for
explanations.
''My dearest father, exclaimed William
rising and selzing his arm, ''she loves both
of US, but she promised to marry me first.
I am sorry," he continued ruefully.
''Dear Mr.. Lee, J" said Mrs Page, SEEING
his other arm, ''you are so like him-your
bearing, your smile, your tones-really if I
could not have married William I must
have married you.''
A cloud passed for moment over Mr.,
Lees face, but during his seventy years,
however when there were heroic, unseIfsh
qualities to be displayed, he was never
found wanting.
my DEAR" he said, in that pleasant
voice so like his sons turning with kindly
courtesy toward her-''my dear, it is best
Is it is-more natural. more appropriate. ~
"And to think it was papa's favorite.
William, that broke off the match, after
Ill" cried GertY.
HH