Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1884-11-14
Be in my study at 10. I'll meet you
fhcra

Be In my study at 10. LII meet you
there.''
"And that really is all" queried Jes-
sica, quite her own possessed self again.
Miss Murphy stared. TO once more drop
into her SMILES, her balloon which had
sailed up SO straightly and securely at first
h I'd suddenly collapsed and was falling
with startling rapidity.
81 should think," severely, cit would
be quite enough"
Enough p airily. 'tThat s it'll its too
much You know an overdose of poison
occasionally counteraets the effect of a
lesser quantity. and I think" with
smile charmingly confiden tial, sit is some
thing the same way with gossip-don't
you ?''
1t was Miss Murphy's turn to gasp.
Such girl But then zone never could
understand Jessica Ray. Miss Murphy
thought it was time'te go. With the cessa-
ton of conversation concerning personal
affairs her interest died a natural death.
She was averse to wading in foreign wa
tiers. The inodorous pool scumme over
with village scandal sufficed her. She fear
ed naught else.
'Good-by, my dear.' with bewildered
shake of the tinseled bonnet. II am so
sorry had to tell you. Life is full of un-
pleasant duties. never like to interfere
in other peoples affairs. Charity al
ways say; charity and silence If there
| ruo MI RI dotoof If 10 to To-
bearing. Well, as I said, must be going.
Good-by, my dear. I'm $50 glad you don't
mind.'
"Good-by," cordially.
1--WE all thought" pausing at the door
for parting thrust, THAT it was to be
not only marriage de convenaace, but
genuine love affair on both sides.'
"Indeed I" said Jessica, brightly arch
ing her pretty brows.
And then at last the door closed on her
visitors broad, black-silk back. The
blitheness born of bravado died
out of little Miss Rays face
She went slowly back to the rose-ribboned
rocker and sat down therein for good,
heartsick. contented, mortified. miserable
cry. When she had been very, very young
and charming, and Jack Sutherland an
awkward lad CT ten. their fathers had
planned marriage in the future. The
planning stood, by the way, upon an
agreeable substantial basis, looking at the
affair from financial point of view. Soon
after Jacks father had died and Jack had
gone to live with his mothers relatives in
England. He carried with him the mem
DRY of pair of sweet eyes for all the
world like big, blue, dew-wet forget-me-
nots, for wee Jessica had parted from her
playmate with particularly tender and
protesting farewell. Twelve years passed.
Neither chafed-as in novelistlc traditions
bound-against the paternal decision of
their childhood. No fair English maiden
displaced his first love in Jack 8
loyal heart. AS for Jessica. she had grown
to think of Jack as hero who was COM
ing across the sea to claim her. When she
anticipated that coming before her mind g
eye forth pranced snowy charger bearing
a plumed knight.
One day, just two weeks ago it was, she
went down to the drawing-room in r.
Spouse to the servants announcement. A
gentleman standing in the window turned
at her entrance. He came swiftly forward
both hands extended, hia face Frightening
with gay admiration.
SIT is-it is-little Jessica ~
She knew him then. W ithout curvetted
nor splendid steed. By his side swung nc
ieweled scabbard. Around his neck vas
swung no mandolin. From his shoulder
fell no cloak of ruby velvet. Not stalwart
statured was he, nor raven haired, nor
flashing eyed. Not the grand creation OF
girlhood's sweet foolish dreams. in truth,
rather, his rivals would have said. a very
ordinary young man. But he had come
Jessica's heart gave great throb. A true
woman though, ergo. an arch-hypocrite
she put her hand in his with an air of COO
surprise, touch OF well-bred reproof in
her greeting.
"And you are here-Mr. Sutherland y
Neither had in any way suggested the odd
relation in which they tacitly stood to
each other. Both felt the chain that
bound them, for all it's massive golden
links very frail and brittle one in the
passionate strength of youthful impulse
Neither would be slow to fling it off if the
bondage proved oppressive However, 1t
did not. The childish. ignorant. roman
tic affection which had been smolderine
ing In their hearts since the sorrroWful
parting of the playmates. at a word, q
touch, a look, blazed up into pure. and
steady flame. Of his courtshp Jack Suther
land made short work. Putting aside
the understanding between their fathers
like the man he was, he wooed her for bel
; own sweet sake. Just two nights ago be
had told her in his quiet direct fashion
how dearly he loved her. And Jessica-
we'll last evening had come the sapphire
ring tbat-only last evening and to-day
, this
If Miss Murphy's neat little shell ha6
not brought death 1t had caused pain aklr
to it.
"It's the money /" moaned Jessica
"It's the horrid detestabie money h
: wants. It isn't me! ~ And then a fac
, with clear brown eyes and a kind grav
smile arose before her and she broke dow
crying afresh.
: Pnt after awhile she sprang up rubbing
.ro small resolute fists in two very pinl
oroa 81 won't see him tonight. AM
,t,u tbe in the library at 10. And III hea
what else he has to-. No, I won'tl
, WON'T eayesdrop. But I'll meet him Their