Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1884-07-04

Ut kuSWS Su6 WdutS W oaih w IT'LL ANU
.Cretia.'''
was thunder5truck Lucretia Chase
lived in Vermont; was morally sure no
one in the city knew of her existeDce-no
one but Agnesl I rushed to the instlu-
ment. 1t was the same clear, girl voice.
How could any one have known that Gre.
tia possessed some idiotic lines l had once
written her-any one but Agnes. Y et,now
heard them repeated
"Oh, Cretia! farest valen tine
Wilt thou accept this hand of mine?
A smaller gift my soul forbids
But tens the number Of my kids,"
| jerked away in anger and surprise,
only to meet old Gruff's grim glances.
eff this thing goes on. Mr.. Dixon, it
might be well for you and Mr.. Clarkson to
change desks!"
l knew what that implied, and my heart
sank to my boots.
II do not understand it myself" re-
piled. II assure you, sir, that 1 am ex-
ceedingly annoyed. will not answer it
again."
II will, myself" he growled: and
went back to my desk to upset my ink
bottle, to make mistakes in my accounts
and torture myself with the conviction
that since no one but Agnes could have
sent the message, she was teazing me
without realizing the fatal consequences
to our happiness. And all day Mr.. Gruff-
land would answer that COMPOUNDED tele-
phone. That some of the messages were
meant for me, could tell, and that they
must be utter nonsense, [ could conjec-
ture from his occasional comments: s'By
jimminy Johnson!' Ills remarkable ex-
preston for young lady, Mr.. Dixon"
It would be too long to tell the story of
those days in detail. Sometimes there
would be respite. and then the nonsense
would begin again. 1t was larks for
Clarkson and the rest, but to me it seemed
as if the bell of the telephone was ringing
the knell of all bright hopes. Agnes as
sured me of her innocence, and Miss Pey.
ton was ready with explanations; they
had been shopping, or calling, or practic-
ing duets. But could see that a cool
ness had come between Agnes and me.
She feared that doubted her, and l.
what could think? Again and again
the messages referred to what had said
to her when quite alone. Could she have
repeated my coafdences2
At the office, preparations for the new
business were being hurried on, and not
one word had been said to me of promo
ton. To crown all, Agnes informed me
one evening that she was going to short
en- her visit; she had heard of friends go
ing directly to Aiken, and thought it best
to secure their escort. passed wretch
ed evening, but left determined to make
desperate effort to clear the mystery
Agnes told me that they were all to be
out the next day, SO begged off at the
office. reached the house at 10 O'Clock.
and persuading the servant that wanted
to rest, and would let myself out when
was ready. managed to conceal myself
In closet in the hall, where waited four
mortal hours. At last was rewarded
A light step came through the hall,
chair was drawn to the telephone, and
clear voice. wonderfully like Agnes,
Called
"Please connect with Gruf1and & Col"
Waiting only long enough to let him ac-
tually begin conversation in his usual
style, l rushed out, and catching the Gull
prit by the ann bestowed a resembling
box upon the ear of the astonished Mr..
Raphael. The little imp! This was his
revenge for his well-deserved snubs. I
have no doubt he had heard every word of
my conversations with Agnes.
Or course the Peytons were distressed
and apologetic, and Agnes was persuaded
not to hurry away, and old Gruff relented
and got the promotion in due time, but
never could endure the sight of that
cherubic boy. I verify believe that the
box bestowed upon him was his onlv
punishment, and 1 rejoice to think that it
was such a stinger !
If this story has moral, it is a short
one. The more innocent and guileless
boy looks. the less he is to be trusted =
The Continent.