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

she said to herself and she answered
aloud:
sly es. am getting few flowers to
model in wax, and"
s'Ahl" said Mrs. Copman-"But per-
haps you had better not get any more. Inc
flowers don't bloom very profusely. and my
daughters like them for their hair. Be-
sides, Mr.. Charters doesn It approve OF ne
whole neighberhood running riot through
his grounds
Jettie's deep blue eyes flashed.
Madame" said she, ibid Mr.. Charter
is tell you to say this?'' Is
''N-not exactly" faltered the sour-vis-
aged widow but
Then, y said Jettie, ''you have been
guilty of very rude and inhospitable ac-
tion ~ -
And, finging her white buds and bios
SONS on the tiled floor of the green house
she walled out like a princess. =
swell, I never - said Mrs. Copman.
scarcely knowing whether to be most in
dignant or surprised at this imperial con-
duct.
| While Jettie Lane hurried on. never
stopping to shed the tears which seemed
| to scald her resoluJe eyelids until she was
safe in the little hazel copse; and once
there, under the cool, quivering boughs
of the trees, she burst into passion of
tears.
miss Lane Jettie - uttered remon-
strating voice.
"Yes. know" said Jettie. laughing
and sobbing 10 the same breath. "I'm very
foolish, and 1 ought to know better. But
it isn't pleasant to be turned out of a
place."
"What do you mean 2''sald Henry Char
teris gravely.
And Jettie told him all.
A dark frown gathered over his counte-
nance. He had known that Mrs. Copman
and his three slsters-in-law were selfish,
arrogant and dnmineering. He had been
quite aware that he was little more than a
person of state in his own house; he had
even formed some vague idea that Ara
bella, the youngest and least hard-favored
of the three. had designs on his heart. AS
far as he was personally concerned, it mat
tered not one straw. But now that inno-
cent. dewy eyed Jettie had been thus
ruthlessly attacked. things assumed quite
a different aspect. He looked down upon
the sweet, blushing face; he took both the
little hands in his.
"Jettie," said he 'this is an uneven bat
tie. One widow and three resolute spin
ster agaiEs an unprotected specimen of
the genus homo. Yet I think if had AN
efficient lieutenant could defeat tue ene-
my yet. Will you join the ranks?"
I'll don't think I understand you,"
falte, ed Jettie.
You are eighteen-I am thirty he
went on. "And yet. Jettie. feel young
enough to be your match. Dear Iettle,
will you be my wife? Do you love me,
Jettie?''
And Jettie bravely answered:
Eyes. 1 will be your wife, Mr.. Char
terls. do love you, and, she added, art
lessly, II have loved you ever since came
home from school, aud met you at the
'Sunday-school picnic under the maple
trees.n
Mrs. Copman and three daughters had
been to New York to order their spring
wardrO Discharged to Mr.. Charteris' &C.
count, of course-and it was late on the
evening of the third day when they re-
turned, cross, irritable and tired-Marion
shade redder nosed than usual, Arabella
more pettish, Meliccnt more 3lowzy and
coarse.
To their amazement and indignation,
the sound of one of Schrbert's Nocturnes
foated out from the parlor window as they
advanced.
"Who is presuming to play on our pi-
amor" said Mrs. Copman. in a rage.
s'And the windows all open, too-fading
cent.
''As sure as you live, mamma" gasped
Arabel'a, tits that bold parson' s daugh-
ter, Jettie Lane T.
1.-THE impudence of some people !" cried
Marion. "When mamma as good as or
dered her off the premises not a month
ago!"
"HenrY," said Mrs. Copman, sourly. as
she caught sight of her son-in law, serene
ly smoking his cigar just inside the case
ment. "why is it that the carriage was
not sent to meet us? Why are we COM
PEELED to walk all the way from the depot
in the broiliHg heat? And what is that
woman here for?' as she caught sight of
Jettle's white dress in the background of
the large, dim room.
1.-The carriage was not sent for you
said Mr.. Charters. calmly, because Mrs
Charters was using it,.
MRS. Charteris!" gasped the widow,
dropping at least half dozen of her pack
ages in the path, while Henry led TO rward
che beautiful young bride, all in white,
with cheeks like pale roses.
"Mrs. Charteris,'' he repeated. "My
wife. Let me present you and the Misses
Copman to her.''
And that was the end of the compiled.
ton. For, of course, Mrs. Copman and
her daughters were too spirited TO remain
under the same roof with such a dimpled
and lovely young usurper. And they re-
moved all that belonged to them. and a
good deal that didn't, from the house the
house the next day. in high dudgeon.
ITO think what fools men are!" said
the widow. "When dear Henry was so
comfortable with me and the three girls!''
But, apparently, dear Henry was of
quite a different way of thinking. For. as
he stood with Jettie on the terrace, watch
ing the carriage drive away which con-
tanned the widow and her daughters, be
said:
"My dear, feel as if nightmare were
F! lifted off my life. And now-now we can