Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1883-01-19
ADoMEsTIc DEsP0T.

- A DOMESTIC DESPOT.
"Ah. dear me, dear mel" sighed Mrs
Copman. "What world of trouble thii
it'll"
Her son-in-law looked up from the news
paper he was reading. He was tall
handsome man of thirty. with soft, dark
eyes, and here and there a silver streak in
his hair.
SIS there any new trial developing it.
self ?" he asked kindly.
NO. said Mrs. Copman; nothing es-
pecial. Except chat Marion wants the
green parlor for a studio. There's such an
excellent north light to it, you know"
swell, /" said Henry Charters, ''why not
let her have iip"
"But what shall we do for a reception
room?" said the old lady.
Take my library" suggested he.
my dear Henry! And all the books
what is to become of them? But Marion
would be, delighted if only the plan was
practicable"
Put them in my bed room.'' said Mr..
Charters, absently. ''Floyd can easily
knock up few shelves there. 1t is a pity
that Marion should be disturbed in the
prosecution of her art.''
You are always kind and thoughtful"
said Mrs. Copman. frightening up, as
she hurried away to give the necessary d.
rections.
| Floyd, Mr.. Charteris' faithful scotch SER
vitor. stared blankly when the old lady ls-
sued her orders.
MY masters library" said he, cup to
his bed room Wherever will put the
books?"
"Oh, there's plenty of room for few
shelves. "said Mrs. Copman, briskly. And
if there should be a volume or go left over
they can easily be put in the closet under
the stairs, which has good large window
looking out over the stables.''
Floyd whistled under bis breath, but
there was nothing for it brt to obey"
81 never see such mother-in-lawed
house as this in all my life;" said he to the
housekeeper with groan. Here's Mr..
Harry crowded into the bed room in the
north wing, aud the closet under the stairs,
while Mrs. Copman and her three Gorgon-
faced daughter have usurped the whole
house, with their music rooms. and
their oudoirs and the mischief knows
what all -
The housekeeper shook her head.
"And you may we'll say sol" said she.-
l''And that amt the worst of it, neither
Floyd
"Eh?" said the old man.
elbow long is it since Mrs. Charteris-
poor lady!-died2' mysteriously question
ed Mrs. Akers.
INSTRUMENTATION months, ain It it p''
said Floyd. "But why?"
"Ah," said the housekeeper. "when the
two years is up she'll make him mar
ry one of the three sisters !! You'll
see!''
"BuJ they are not one of 'em under for
ty, and as plain as pipe stems!" calculated
Floyd in dismay.
You'll find as that won't make no diff
ference. That's what she has got her eye
on, as true as you re alive Floyd. And she
never yet failed in what she made up her
mind to d."
While Mrs. Akers and Floyd were
engaged in the discussion of family aft ,irs
Mrs. Copman herself was cheerfully bust
ling about. ordering the maids, torment
ing the footman, suggesting this. that and
the other thing. to her three bony, high
checked daughters; Marion, Arabella and
Melicent-until suddenly glancing up she
CHANGED to observe light figure clad in a
pretty pink muslin, With floating white
scarf, enter the green house door, across
the garden. She rang the bell energetical.
ly. Floyd" she said, ''who is that-that
person in the garden?"
sIt's Miss Jettie Lane, the parsons
daughter," said Floyd "At least,
coughing behind his hand, sit looked like
her,"
''And what is she dong in orr green
house, | d like to know" demanded Mrs
Copman, holly.
'sShe goes there to get flowers for hel
wax works, ma'am," said Floyd. my
master"
Your master would allow himself to
be preyed on by every one in the village, il
hs hadn't some one to protect him." said
Mrs. Copman, severely. go at once, Floyd
OR stay! 1 believe had better go my
self, This sort of thing must be put stoI
toll"
And she hurried out to the green house
where pretty Jettie Lane was culling sprays
Of white stephanotis; in an unconsciously
graceful attitude. as she reached up among
the glossy dark green branches for the sta
: like blossoms.
"Oh!" said Mrs. Copman. stiffiy; mis-
Lane, 1 bellevep'
Jettle paused and turned. Only hom,
from boarding school three months sh)
had never met Mrs. Copman face to fac
before. u.