Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1883-06-01
/ lot than to W .tc, her strux .le an ha.know

lot than to W itch her strug sle an kaAknow
that he had brought it upon her. Ma
Besides, she had made her choiee TO
her a wedding me ant flowers. bsic.
friends. the t"iletofa bride. 44ture,
the communion Of two hearts. thsss0lamn
responsibilities incurred, we're but second
airy considerations
"Goad' BY. my darling |" he said. as thev
parted. but when she added, Until to
morrow" he answered neither yea or nay.
!" ITO morrow" the world knew that Ches-
ter Thorley's ship had gone upon the
rocks. Many of his business associates
would have held out to him helping
hand. but firmly and kindly he refused
every honor. R,N
He write Marion q few lines, recalling
to her mind the CT nyersation of the day
befo re, and releasing her from her vows to
him ~
"If any goo fortune e. mes to me, ?, he
concluded, lyon or all heafs OF 1t. IfIf-ss
silenf, yOu may know It rs Because my life
is wrapped in slerce ard shadow. Bless
yen. dar lirR. for II e light y"u have cast
upon 1t 1t will be liz g looking back to
heaven dare not seq you again. tested
my strength to its full yesterday. God
grant that soma better M IN than NAV
win you. To love you bee. or il not within
hispower. Nor must you think blame YOU
that you shrank from sharing the new life
upon which enter. Flowers ,nnos live
without sunlight. Even as spoke knew
your answer. l only wanted to be sure
that made no mistake in Intervening
the best course for your happiness"
And then, with few more warm, pas
sionate ard affsctionate words of farewell,
the letter closed.
Two wears have passed, and the little
world VIII Gu had known Chester Thorley
20 well once knew him no more. He han
en- rely issppeared. 1t we're as though
the sea had opened and swallowed him up
Marion WilIonqhby was Marion Will
loughhy still. II she cuff. red 81 9 mace no
sign, but those who had seen the one
sparkling stone. which had been the pledge
OF her engagement to Chester Thorley nc.
rlced that she wore it still, and others. vet
more narrow watchers, observed that al
ways, when she entered crowded room
she would take hastv glance about as
though expecting to find some one not
there.
Sne was as yet but twenty-five. a belle
and beauty still. The third winter of
his absence she went to spend several
weeks with an aunt,
II cannnt spare you," her father had
said, when the invitation came.
But she, going close to him, and laying
her head moment on his breast. had
said.
II think, papa, it would be best"
They we're simple words. but he inter-
preted them Alright. The old wound
would not cease its bleeding. She wanted
to go amid new scenes. So he only kissed
her, aid babe her remember thas the old
father awaited her return. !
You have not been through the steel
works." some one said to her one day, SIT
really Is most interesting sight. Will
ynn join party. if we make ND one to
visit them, Miss Willouehby ?"
with pleasure" she answered lightly
And her aunt, charm-h with the success
of her beautiful niece. smiled at Clay Clay
tons numerous devices to ensnare Marion's
socirtv. He WAS the great part; of the place
She had heard something Of some early dis.
appointment in Marion life. 1t would be
splendid triumph thus to obliters te it,
and alrea ~ she felt quite sure That the Il It
lay ia the girls own hands.
The morning app ointed for the expedi.
tion dawned beautiful aud bright. They
seemed indeed like drones, intruding upon
some busy hive Of workers. as they enter
ed the great building and looked alb ,ut
them Department after department they
visited, watching with great interest the
delicate, subtle machinery and its wonder
full working.
Mario1's cheek flushed with interest,
and Clay Clayton, noting it. thought he
never had seen her look SO beautiful.
To-day he determined he must speak.
when suddenly he heard lit.le cry and,
glancng up, saw her Standing quite ap ,rt
fran the group, her eyes ablaze, her lips
quivering.
At little distance from her, adjusting
some pieces of machinery. was man IN
workman's blouse. Her cry also attracted
him, aud he looked up.
Their eyes met. His face grew daathly
pale, but he gave no other sign of recogni-
ton. sac went straight toward HIM, OBJ
vious of all, with hand outstretched.
''Chester - she said, in a voice scarce
louder than whisper. sat last"
He bowed low in response, and took no
notice of her hand; but the old daun,less
pride was in the uplifted head and fearless
ance.
ibid you know that was here ?" she
Questioned.
NO" he replied; II am no longer In
your world.'
"Ycu will come and see me 20
IL cannot"
Here his voice broke little.
"Mr. Clayton, 'she said. ''let me prese t
my friend Mr.. ThOiley."
Spite of the inna'e breeding of the man.
some of the instructive surprise at hear
ing steel worker ad Tres ed by Miss
Willoughhy as friend. made itself ap-
parent in the manner he yet strove to con-
ceal
Then the party passed on. He wondered.
however. why Marion fingered moment
in the office to address he superintendent
some question as they came out into the
air. He had meant, too. to ask her, on the
way home. the question which all the day,
and for many DAYS, had been trembling on