Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1883-06-01
STANTON, VIRGINIA, FRIDAY, JUNE l. 1888

up, am. zed ut the beautiful, young lady
who asked the question. = "a 4
INDEED, I suppose you may. He'sgdne
up to, his, room. where he spends all his
EVENINGS and not bit Of supper ton aht
has.he touched. Shall I call him down ~
mo; let me goto him y 1879 -
sits the first room to- the right Of Tire
stairs, Miss. He's the only ledger have
and you re his first VISITOR"
But the girl needed not the words. A
stranye vision she surely was. as she st GOD
an instant outside his door, clad in costly
velvet and rich furs; then softly turned
the handle and entered. sas Aaa
He did not hear her. He had. thrown
himself upon his sofa and hurled his head
Fin it's cushions. He WAS so still, 80 mo.
tionless, she Thought he must be alsepih 8.
IL She swiftly cross cd the room. and laying
Der hand gently upon his shoulder, she
t'cSsIsd his name. g fsii2 -
My Godi'' he cried, and would have
started to his feet but she held him back,
falling on her knees beside him.
"Chester,' she pleaded, you would not
come to me. NV pride is less than youls
my love is greater. have come to you.
Did you think my heart uttered the I'M
worthy words for which you have punish
ed me- all these yearsp have tried so
IOnu IN find vn,, 90 hnnpIpac.
ly!"
She bowed her beautiful head snd Sob
bed outright.
Hush, dear-hushl You should net
have come here, Marion. 1t might COM
promise you.'
'C"mpromise me with my future hus-
band? See, Chester r. and she held up
the hand on which eleamed.the ring. Il
have never accepted my freedom
my own brave GIRL" lie said: his voice
soffening even while he Rirded himself up
to the strength of which he stood in such
need. But the heaven you open to me
can not be. am foreman in the works
where you saw me to-day. Marion. NY
knowledge and love of machinery stood me
in good stead. hearl of this opening,
and secured it. To day was adjusting
some fl :ult piece of work dared mt
trust to any workman / am laying aside,
dear. living as poorly at can. hoping one
day to buy an interest in the business -
One or two improvements have made are
rapidly attaining me this goal; but it is
still far off. cannot ask you to wait nor
to forget the years of labor which have
helped me to reach it,"
II have waited already too long, Ches-
ter,''' she whispered. Il am ready now to
bec,me your wife,
His face grew deadly white.
"Do MT tempt me-" he said, hoarselv.
''Oh Chester" she said "when l have
so much money, why are you so cruel and
so proud Z"
II cannot go back to life of ease and
dependence" he answered, ''even with
you, dear love. to brighten it, Bless you
for coming to me, Marion Bless you for
showing me all that Noble woman can
b-l The memory Of this hour will tighten
all future yea,s."
Chester, you do not understan me-"
she ersisted. II ask you to return 10 no
life of dependence. Il will forget that I
have single dollar in the world except
what you give me. will STARE whatever
ho.le you offer me-even this For bet
ter, for worse, darling, We pledge ourselves.
as sacredly as though ALREADY we had st God
before God 8 altar. In Gods sight am
your wife. claim my right to share your
dark days as we'll as those on which the
sun of prosperity may shine -
He strove hard to answer her, but his
voice broke. She had COZ quered but
woman-like, she gave him the glory of her
victory as she sobbed out her happiness
upon his heart.
A month later there was quiet we'd
ding. at which were neither flowers. or
bridesmaids, nor music; but Marion Will
oughby missed nothing. 1t was only after
the ceremony had been performed that
Chester showed her document which had
been his wedding gift from the firm he had
served so faithfully, and which admitted
him as junior partner from that date.
But ste smiled half sadly as she looked at
lit through mist of tears.
you said once, DEAR" she whispered,
''that flowers, to live, needed sunlight.
My darling, had not then made the won
derful discovery that love. makes sunlight
every where! With your heart my home.
be Its outward adornments what they will,
1 envy no king his palace, no queen her
throne!"