Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1883-11-09
IN THE CLEANING.

NOW. my little Truthie, you'd better
lay all this to teart."
This was the end Of handsome Hal
Hale's long lecture to his pretty coquettish
Ii tie sister Truth.
He lay in the hammock before the open
door. and she sat upon the lower stair in
the hall, pouting and playing with daisy
chain.
1t had been long and unusually serious
lecture, all about Neil Gaynor, the last of
Truth s summer lovers, whose heart she
was playing with as she had played with a
score of other lovers since the lovely sea-
son of Mnssmore began.
IF Mil were noodle like Fi'z7era'd
or a fol like Markham, Truthie. | would
MT care" Hal had said. "But for you Just
to amuse yourself at playing hide and
seek with lyal fellow like Neil wot7st d. !;
in fact. he won't stand 1t, and you ii never
have another such an offer as long as you
live. So take my advice and marry hun off
hand like woman, AID have no more of
this flirting.'
lldi pVCl III lu0 udu luOCk
and taken up his book.
Truth had twisted her CHAIN until che
broke it.
She was still pnnting, but the flush had
died "ff her dmpled cheeks, and there was
a suspicious moisture in her eyes She did
notspe,k.
She could not tell Tai that his shafts of
truth had gone home.
She knew well enough that Neil Gaynor
was Just splendid
She had learned it already by the manly
way in which he received her refusal the
previous evening.
"She liked him very much as friend.
but she conld not think of anything furfh-
er," she had said her golden head as high
as possible in the air. and her gaze wan
dering as far as it could from tbs serious
attention of his handsome gray eyes.
They we're such clear, frank, beautiful
eyes
They haunted her sleep hy night.
She woke up and thought by the moon
light. and felt very small and mean.
She knew that there were not many men
like Neil Gaynor.
Instead of being grateful for his love,
whv had she crested her head, like silly
bird, and declined itp
And he had not uttered an angry or re-
prnachful wnrd-had not accused her Of
flirting or called her a 'hesrtless coqnette,'
as the others did-onlv bowed in silence
and left her courteonsly.
But those clear, beautiful eyes would lot
be Forgotten.
She sobbed q little on her pillow. trying
to declare that she didn't care.
And now. with morning comes Halls
serious interference, though he knew
nothing about last evening 3 scene
She was really frightened at what she
had done, and dared not tell him-oood
Hal. who was the kiDdpst elder brother
n ughtv girl ever had; for though she
had said to herself, Neil will come back )"
even as Hal had lectured. Mr.. Neil Gay
nor, on his black horse. Turk, rode slow
ly below the terrace, and seeing her. did
uOC pduSo-ouIy IaiS6u Hlo uou nuu poooeu
on.
The season was at an end, the people at
the hotel going home.
What if he went to town and she never
saw him again?
A mist came over her eyes; the wind
soughed among the woodbine at the door
which made her SILVER.
Poor, remorseful little Truthie
She sprang up and ran away at last.
What if Hal should look around and see
her crying?
She dreEched her face we'll with eau de
cologne before she cana down to dinner.
'.Truthle," said Hal, carving the joint,
and helping her literally to mayor naise po-
tatoes by way of making up for the morn
ing-for he was very fond of this little sis
ter of his. and very tender of her faults.
good Hal l-''Truthie, we are invited to
Mrs st. Roses for tomorrow evening""
The color which Truth had not been
able to rub into her cheeks appeared bright
ly now.
Mrs st. Pose was Neil Gaynor's sister,
the most delightful lady in existence, who
lived in charming place called Home
parks, and twice year gave large party.
.sShe is rather late with her party this
year"
II believe she has been waiting for her
niece to come d ,wn from the mountains. y