Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1884-10-17

'.Ah. thanks!'' said Cynthia, tossing
her head. II don't care for BIRDS egg
collections. We've plenty of blueberries
here. What do you ask for the eagle fan?''
| Oscelits colored little.
| 81 meant it for present." said she.
"Will you accept it ?"
II couldn't think of such thing" said
Cynthia. primly. 81 never receive pre-
sants."
Then shall leave it for Mr.. Copley,'
said Oscelita. smiling, as she hung it over
the old hunters big chair. He will like
it, know"
Cynthia looked quickly around. Was it
possible that Oscelita was maneuvring
to entrap Uncle Fin for husband? He
would be quite fool enough to fall into
tie trap.
"You can do as you please about that, -
said she. knitting with all her might.
"You are very lonely here. said Osceli-
ia, in her soft, fute.like voice.
tits the dismalest place | ever came
across in my life," said Cynthia, pettish-
ly.
SIT doesn't seem so to me-" said Osce-
lita. I'm my eyes it is home.''
Tastes differ" said Cynthia, with a
we'll emphasized sniff.
But as she sat there, she could see that
Oscelita was tall and slender. with COM
plexion of the richest olive; dark, liquid
eyes, and hair like jet silk. And. all in a
second, she felt how elderly, and sallow,
and plain she herself was!
But she was Doctor Copley's daughter,
and Oscelita. after all, was nothing but
the waif and stray of these wildernesses.
II have been wishing to como and see
see you this long time," said Oscelita in
her low, mild tone.
"Much obliged. am sure,'' said Gym.
this. "But have resources within my
self which preclude loneliness"
us there anything can.do for you?''
persisted Oscellta, thinking of the boat
wherewith she was want to row out, in
the pink sunrise. after water lilies; of the
hidden wood-nooks; the lovely little brooks
whittier no one could conduct the strang-
or but herself.
"Thank you'll once more retorted Gym
thia. II don't know of anything-unless
indeed, you could come and scrub half
day for me every week. should be will
ing to pay half dollar, if"
Indian Oscelita rose quietly up.
II think you are mistaken said she.
81 am not-a mental. Good bye, Miss
Copley."
! And Cynthia watched her unfasten the
boat and glide sway on the sparkling floor
Of the lake, with graceful strokes.
81 don't think she will come again ~
said Cynthia. hugging herself. 1.-THE idea
Of an Indian girl expecting to be noticed
by me!''
It was about this time that Captain
Syford came to the Point. fshing-one Of
the real, live tourists for whom M ISIS Gym
thia's soul had SO longed-and hired a
room in Uncle Fin Copley's cabin.
| And now began the rea! course of life.
Miss Cynthia took her guitar. screwed up
its strings, and practiced so desperately
that not a bald eagle remained within ear
shot of the Point. She persecuJed Uncle
Fin into grubbing up stumps innumera-
BILE, and leyeling down the ground for a
tennis course, and she unpacked the nets
aud balls.
She placed her water colored sketches
around in the most conspicuous places,
and posed at sunset. with her easel and
brushes. just where Captain Sydford
would be most likely to see her when he
alighted from the boat at supper time.
"She's queer old customer" said the
Captain to himself. "If she yiu perch
herself In those exposed spots, some high
wind will blow her into the lake some
day."
"a nephew Of Sir Simon Sydford, of
OttawaS" said Cynthia. almost in a
scream. "Good gracious me. Uncle Fin,
why didn't you say so before?'
"Didnt think of It," said Uncle Fin.
"Bless your heart, we get all sorts of folks
this away. Lord Dufferin himself came
down here and stayed all night at Peter
Pifin's. the guides hut. And we had a
bank burglar at Eagle Bay for week.
And straightway Miss Cynthia Copley
laid the foundations for an aircastle whose
pinaacles rose to the very clouds. She
cooked the daintiest dishes in her reper-
tosre-she played the guitar of moonlight
night. and talked general literature to
poor Captain Sydford. until be fell asleep
more than once. with his chair tipped
back against the side of the little porch
and snored audibly.
81 think it is making soma impression
upon him." she unused. HE looked at
me twice yesterday just as if he was going
| to say something. If he would only pro-
pose definitely, all would be we'll ~
And that very evening. Captain Alger-
non Sydford broke the spell of silence,
spurred on thereto by Miss Copley's broad
hints.
| Il suppose you will think me gid dy
young creature, capt ain, giggled she
but
II assure you that l don't think any
thing OF the Sort" said Captain Sydford,
with emphasis.
| s'But one cant help ones thoughts -
went on Cynthia, ''and have been won.
dering so much why you never mar
ried r.
ooh. that's going to be set right now,'
said the captain.
"Gracious ma!' huttered Miss Gym
thia.
II mean to take wife back with me to
Ottawa, went on Captain Sydford, with
unaccnstomed frankness. ITO tell the
truth Miss Copley. have lost my heart in