Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1884-10-31

dressing table.
Thinking that Anna had placed it there
while she was in that death like swoon,
Lucille made no inquiries, but, weak and
i'll as she was, stole quietly from the
house in the direction of west gate. The
man was lmpatiently waiting and came
to meet her with hands outstretched as if
to clasp her own, but che shrank from
contact with him, and spoke in low,
tremulous voice:
You must go away, Davy Dale, you
must never meet May Victor again. Oh
Davy, believed you dead-why are you
here, and under false name !? Whence
comes the money you spend so freely !?
What new crime have you commit
ted ?"
"By George! how many questions you
women can ask in breath. Well, in the
first place, you believed me dead. I was
willing to have that report circulated,
when London became too hot to hold
me and the officers from Scotland Yard
were on my track for forging that in
fernal check. The reason that I am here
and under false name is easily explained.
l am about to marry rich wife; and it
would never do to have my intended faith
er-in-law searching up the antecedents of
Dayy Dale. AS to my honeywell. ]
made it easily, by little trick of slight of
hand; but luck may change, you know.
and before it does, must have the hand
ling Of Mays money. By George how
strange it seems that you should be her
step mother ~
| The last words we're followed by light
laugh, and Davy Dale lighted cigar with
provoking nonchalance. Lucille Victor
was trembling like leaf, but she leaned
against the old oak, and faced him with
eyes cleaning angrily.
"You shall never mary May The girl
shall not be sacrificed. 1 will save her
from you-'
| He interrupted her-his cigar had fallen
! from his hand unheeded-his face grew a
trife pale.
"You dare not put forth hand to foil
mel Your proud husband would cast
you from his door; he would no longer
shelter the sister of a thief and forger
You deceived him. I'll warrant; you told
| him nothing of me or my crimes before
you married him. 1 will find means Ct
turning his wrath on you; 1 will even
swear that you have been supplying me
/
never knew you had a brother. Ali
dare you deny me now, my proud sis.
ter ?''
! Lucille dropped her face in her hands
with piteous cry.
Heaven help me! You are right. /
believed you dead, and told Rodney moth
ing of the fact" she moaned.
Davy Dale thinking he had trlnmphed,
approached step neared, but did not
venture to touch her, as he said-
He need never learn the story. Nav
will be nay wife. Ill be better man for
her sake, and everything will be WE'LL"
"Never-never your wife. She shall
not be sacrificed! No, not if be driven
from these grounds homeless and PENN.
less. Oh, Davy, be melciful; 90 away
from here and leave my husbands child.
for my sake. Do you forget the past, how
eheerfullY toiled to supply you with
money, that you might not be driven to
steal? Do you forget our dead mother,
and how she begged you to watch over
me in my lonely childhood? How did
you obey her last wishesp Davy, spare
the girl whose heart you would break!
See, will kneel to you-'
"You shall not kneel to him! MAY has
heard all cried the girl for whom she
pleaded; and the little hue-eyed maiden
sprang to her step-mother's side and with
one arm around her waist, addressed the
man who had been her lover. "Go, Mr..
Dale! For your noble sisters sake I will
not send for the officers the law to remove
you. TO! and do not think you have any
power to make Lucille Victor unhappy.
| have heard every word you have utter
ed, and when my father learns the truth
he Will have no anger in his heart for the
brave woman who has the misfortune to
be your sister!''
Completely bewlldered by the GOODNESS
OF the timid little maiden he had wooei,
! Davy Dale strobe away, with forced
laugh and attempt at bravado, calling
back to her,
"By-by, petite May, I must seek further
for the future Lady Alwyn."
When he had gone, May dropped her
head on Lucille's breast, sopbing softly,
will you ever forgive me. dear, brave,
long-suffering Lucillep Will you ever
forgive my neglect and GOODNESS p, she
faltered, and Lucille answered. trembling.
ly,-
'"There is nothing to forgive, my dar
ling, only love me little, my heart has
so long craved your love-"
| A few minutes later, Lalie, who was
watching with eager eyes to see the hated
mistress coming back in disgrace, was
Mortified to see her approaching with
MAJ 8 blue eyes fixed lovingly on her pale
pale. Lalle was never made acquainted
with the true state of affairs, and soon
left the house in disgust, unable to bear
the sight of her cousins devotion to he r
young step-mother.
| May did not grieve for her lovers loss
as she had never really loved him; and for
the first time Lucille was quietly happy in
her husband q home.
When Mr.. Victor returned home he was
reJolced to see how May chung to his wife.
and laughingly exclaimed
"Ah, Goldie, knew you could not long
resist your beautiful mamma; bow happy
am to see YOU unitedl, y,