Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1882-12-15

a curtain fold there.
'.Yes." said he, with curious witch OF
the muscles around his eyes. "he has been
here.''
Ell didn't ask any questions. Uncle
Nahum
mo, bnt your eyes did," chuckled thu
old man. HE wants to marry you-the
improvident young donkeyr'
Faith came to her Uncle's chair and
laid her hand lightly on his shoulder.
THAT isn't the worst of it, Uncle Ma
hum-I want to marry him.
'Humph!.' snarled Mr.. Nixon. in high
contempt. "And what do you expect to
live on. should like to know?'
1--WE Can both work" said Faith brave
ly.
YOU'RE more likely to starve." said
Mr.. Nixon. Mind. don't count on help
from M. If you will get married, you
will do it At your own risk
"Then you consent. Uncle Nahum"
mol" roared the old bachelor. Moth
| ng Of the sort.''
'Blt, Uncle Nahum. I should be
wretched without Duke" softly pleaded
| Faith.
| Fiddlestrings!' said the old man.
"And I'm sure he couldn't live without
| me-
"Trashl'' grunted Mr.. Nixon.
| "And if you please, uncle,'' added Faith
| perhaps Id better go to my friend Vin-
let nith's to make up 10y we. ding things,
sin you disapprove so decidedly of my
plans. She lives in New York, you know
an il will be convenient for shopping
AMI"
| IAN for all other tomfooleries in gen.
eral.' rudely Interrupted the old gentle
man. "Yes. go to your Violet Smiths
but don't expect to c,me back here"
mo, unclen' said Faith, meekly. But
you'll let me thank you for all your kind
ness, and"
mo, won IT, said Uncle Nahum, SO
short that poor Faith fl-d up stairs in dis
fmay and had quiet little cry, notwith-
standing she WAS very, very happy.
For Uncle Nahum. brusque and GRABBED
ever known Bat she packed her trunk
an went to Violet Smith s IN New York.
| which was all the pleasanter, in that
Marmaduke Bourne had also betaken
himself to this modern Gotham and gone
to work studying law as if he meant to
t Ike Coke and Blackstone by storm. And
Miss Vinlet Smith, who was sentiment
tai young lady. sympath'z.d intensely,
and the young ,nple were unreasonably
happy as many another couple has been
be ore and will b. again.
But oae day Duke Bourne came in with
| a lace full of tidings.
"Faith," said he, "have you heard the
news p
"What news?" asked Faith.
sYou uncle will get the start Of us after
ALL"
"What do you mean Duke?"
"Why. his going to bs married.
| "Uncle Nahum" cried Faith incredu-
ouslg.
ayes, Uncle Nahum. That accounts for
| his being so willing to get rid of us-eh,
little one?"
'"And who is the bride ?" questioned
Faith.
tWhv. that's the m,nted point vet. M.
hoiv seems to know. Sine say one, and
| some y another, but he general imprs g.
sion seems to be that it is the rich dow
who owns the brown stone block ON the
! corner"
''I'm sure hope he will he happy"
said Fai h, with tremu Gus lips. and
eyes snffnssd with tears, s'bnt I think
he might have said something to us about
it,"
People are NOT generally in hurry to
proclaim the fact that they are about to
make fools of themselves" SAID Duke
Bourne. bitterly.
Why" cried Faith. laughing through
her tears. ''that is precisely what he said
about us.''
But the next dav letter from Uncle
NAHUM himself settled the matter. He
wrote:
"There is to he big wedding at my
h opse on the seventeenth. and want you
and Duke to be here without fall"
ga wedding At his honsel'' cried
Faith. IL supposed that weddings were
celebrated at the brides residence
$50 they are, dear.'' said Mrs Smith;
"but your uncle was always soseccentricl"
"What shall we d ,?' asked Faith.
"Whv go, of course" said Marmadnke
Bourne; ITO show that we bear no malice
at being dlsinherited if for no other rea-
son.'
The seventeenth of March arrived,
cold, clustering night, and the old red
brick house was all in GUNNER of lights
as the young betrothed pair drove up to
the ,or. Uncle Nahum met them on the
threshold In h,s old-f4shioned swallow
tailed coat, with huge white camel1a ir
his button h ia. and pair of surprising
ly white kid gloves.
''Have Won brought your white frock?"
was his first QUESTION to his niece.
mo. uncle. I-.o
THAT won do "said Uncle Nahum; mo |
ono must come to nv wedding without a |
marriage garment, It's lucky provided |
one for you. Come up stairs, Quick. and |
put it on. for the parson is waiting aid |
the company are here" |
"Bnt, uncl~, the bride?"
'You shall see her by and by" said /
Uncle Nahum despoticaIly. Come up
stairs now and change your DRESS"
But. uncle, white sikh" cried Faith |
looking in dismay at the glstening dress
laid out for her use.
'.What then? Isn't white silk the thing /
for wedding? Put 1t on. quick, and I'll |
send some one up to bring you down in
Eve minutes.''
And. so with q doubling heart Faith |