Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1882-02-17

CuSSGQ CQ0 arrangements IOf plCLlC ]
which they were interested. AS he wa
leaving her, however, sold Clifford" b
observed, Hhas been seen about her
lately"
"The dear !'' said Bertha, provokinglJ
How sorry was to miss his call ~
ibid you? ' Gay chimed in. sympathet
ically. Il wonder if it wouldn't be desll
able for me to become acquainted wit
such delightful man? He might In
prove me in your eyes,
ooh, yes. he would do you ever so mucl
go0d,' she assured him.
iii be on the look out for him." sal
the young man, cheerfully. Goodnight.
He sauntered down the lane towards th
woods, and Bertha remained standing IN
der the apple tree where he had left her
enjoying the rising sunset light. Thus EN-
ployed, and idly pulling to pieces a bit o
grass, she did not notice the approach O
another person. until an aged voice clos
by her hailed her with 'Good-evening
Miss Finch" seeming almost to prolon
Atiee's ood-night," which was still il
her ears.
1t was Clifford.
She turned her head and greeted hin
with decided GOODNESS.
'Glad to see yet at last,' he continued
sitting down ON a stone. ''lt's awful
warm.' And he removed his felt hat, tt
sponge out the interior carefully with {
bandanna which be produced for the pur
pose. ''Did you get those pills? First
rate to brace up with this weather. Coco
for lassitude, rheumatism, govt, neuralgy
headache-but { suppose you read the
bill ?''
mo. I haven't yet," announced Ber-
tina, with threatening brevity.
NOW that disappoints me-" said Gif.
ford. "You don't know their virtues.-
Why, my second wife, she couldn't get
along without them.''
''Horrid old wretch" commented his
listener, internally, and proceeded aloud.
"You mean they saved her life?"
Yes, yes" returned the dealer, DELHI
erately, ''they did-as long as she lived''
"Well, mine seems to be pretty we'll saw
ed without Them" said the girl; "and any
way don t have any of those troubles that
you mention. So I don't think | need the
pills"
Mot just now, maybe" Clifford admit
ted; ''but then you won't always be SO
young as you are now, and you're bound
to have the rheumatism. You'll be an old
woman before you know it, and an ounce
of prevention's worth pound of cure.''
II think I'll watt" said Bertha, finding
her venerable idol very repulsive on this
second interview; ''and if you'll excuse
me now, Mr.. Clifford, must 60 into the
house."
''To get the bo1?" he inquired. Gail
right. But wish you'd wait a minute,
I've got something particular to say to
you.''
Something PARTICULAR"
Eyes. Thinking of that young Atlee,
l made some inquiries, and. as far az !
could see, you are the young lady,"
"What young lady? Anyway, Mr.. At
lee has come back now."
"Oh yes. know that. But you never
fancied him much, and I guess he don It
stand in the way.''
II don't understand what you're talking
about"
"That's just what I've come to now, y
said Clifford. I'm sort of lonely, but I've
got some property laid by, and I m looking
round for wife. What do you say to
me?"
you! I think you are HORRIBLE" Der.
5ha cried, frankly. Gan old, old man like
you, that's been twice married, looking for
4 wife!" She recoiled involuntarily.
"There's nothing like an old fellow that
knows his own mind, and the ways of the
world" he argued. Then suddenlY-Ber-
,ha could hardly believe it true-he drop
ped on his knees. won't you have me?"
be entreated.
She moved toward the house rapidly, as
t escaping from hideous sight.
''Stop! stop!" cried the ancient sutton,
in remarkable vigorous voice. ''If you
10 that I'll tear all my hair out"
Something in the tone arrested Bertha
Finch's flight, and she looked around. AT
;he same instant the anomalous old man
landing up very tall, flung his entire head
# white hair at her feet, and stood re-
1ealed, felt hat in hand, as Guy Atlee
She covered her face in confusion, but
10th of them burst into hearty laugh
he next instant, as he advanced toward
Ter. "This is more foolish than my disap-
Guy was confessing, "but the
emptation was too great. Are you an
:ry?"
''It was you all the time?" demanded
be, still slightly bewildered.
Of course. The real Clifford died a cou-
lie of years ago. That day in the train I
vas just going to get out here to try my
Experiment., when [ saw you at the depot,
nd you walked right in to sit down next
o me.'
Bertha turned hot and cold as she ran
yer the conversation in her mind to see
whether she had committed herself in any
way.
"You have rejected me twice now. :" con-
inued Guy, coming very close, and stand
ng in tall humility before her-''once for
eing too young, and. once for being too
Id. Don It you think you could make a
ort Of compromise now, and take me
part from my age, as man who is will
ing to devote himself to you, young and
Id? You are not angry"
NO. said Bertha, looking down very
luch indeed. 81 have been foolish too,
tuy."
She made the compromise. -Harper's
,dzdT.
COUNT THEM.-Count what Why /.
cunt the mercies which have been quietly !
alling in your path through every period
f your history. Down they come every
lorning and evening, angel messengers
rom the Father of Light, to tell you of
our best friend in Heaven. Have you
we'd these wears wasting mercies tread