Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1884-01-25


she said. she asked for you in the draw
ing-room, and seemed quite sorry to hear
you were i'll. We all liked him immense
ly.'
He asked after me! A piece of imper-
tlnence-a gratuitous insult-a piece Of
snperduous hypocrisy, which, were it pos
sible, made my wish for revenge stronger.
swell. loathe him." I said, ssand
there's an end OF it. I won't even talk
about him."
was as good as my word and Clara,
from the want of listener, was obliged
to desist from ringing the changes in praise
of Mr.. Hope.
I left Twickenham two or three days af-
ter this. As drove to the station, Mr..
Hope-most likely on his way to the
Ramsays' house-passed the carriage.
Clara was with me, so the young man
bowed to US collectively. made no sign
of recognition.
Heritage" said Clara, 'sthat was Mr..
| Hope. Didn't you see him?p
"Was it?" replied. 81 had quite for
i gotten what he was like''
For beginner, this was a pretty good
! fb. After telling it so calmly, 1 felt
was getting on. RAW and awkward"
0 no did not forget either the words or
the speaker. When declare for revenge,
[ mean it.
Five years passed by. / was twenty-five.
had seen many people and many things
Either for better or worse, had changed
IN much, but still retained nay knack of
never forgetting foe or friend. Incred-
lille as 1t seems, my anger against Mr..
Hope was keen as eyer-my W ish for re-
venge as strong. The injury he had un-
willingly done me had been greater than,
even in my first burst of rage, I had inn
agined. His words during the interval
kept recurring to my mind, and hindered
the growth of proper confidence and self
esteem. A long series of pleasant little
social triumphs alone permitted me to say
at last that his prophecy had not been full
filled. But now. after five years. the more
thought Of the annoyance, even anguish,
his words had caused me, the more Wei
GUS felt towards him the more resolved
to compass revenge when the opportunity
occurred. Q yes; was good hater-not
doubt of it. could carry my stone
seven years in my pocket. then turn it and
carry it seyen years more, or twice seven
years.. never for moment forgetting it's
ultimate destination.
But when should have the chance of
hurting it, and how should act when the
chance came? Except in the street, ca
sually, had never since met the man.
Vincent Hope visited no friends of mine
save the Ramsays. They left Twicken.
nam shortly after my visit, and now lived
hundred miles from town. had stayed
with them several times, but my foe had
never appeared. OF course l had heard a
great deal about him. He was now quite
a famous man. To keep myself posted up
in the light literature of the day, l was
compelled to read his books, and in homes
ty am bound to say / admired them, al
though detested tie author of them.
Surely we must meet some day. I went
out great deal and I heard he was much
sought after. But our paths as yet had
not crossed.
1t was winter. I was spending some
weeks with new friends, who had taken
great fancy to me-kind hospitable peo-
pie, who liked to have constant stream
of visitors passing, but very slowly,
through their house. The Lighton's were
wealthy county family, noted for their
open-haaded hospitality. l never stayed
at gaysr or pleasanter place than Rlaize
House. 1t was not very large; but from
the way it seemed to extend itself to ac-
commodate the numerous guests, my be-
lief is it must have baen bulS on the plan
OF an accordion. l can only account for
its capabilities by this theory.
Except from the tiny village which
gave or took it's name, Blaixe House was
miles away from everywhere; but its res
ources, 50 far as amusement went, made
1t immaterial in what part OF the world 1t
stood. The family consisted of Mr. LEIGHTON
called by every one, even his guests, tho
Squire; bis wife, d Citing companion to
him, who shared his pursuits, and heart
lily seconded the welcome he gave to every
one; and two daughters, about my own
the standing congregation of the estab-
lishment. In addition. there were sons
who turned up Unexpectedly and at in
tervals; and two OR three cousins were in
variably sojourning there. Add to these.
again, the floating population in the shape
of visitors who came and went, and YOU
will realize that it was a merry house.
Breakfast was just over: we had been
longer shout it than usual, the weather
being too damp and drizzly to tempt us
out of doors. Letters were being read
with the last cup of tea. The Squire Sc
lected one from his pile, and tossed it over
to his wife, remarkiag that she would be
glad to hear the news it contained. Then
it went from hand to hand until had the
pleasure of reading
MY DEAR SQUIRREL have lust written
the delightful word Flns at the bottom
of page, which is the last of my last i'm
mortal C) production. will do no more
work for WEEKS. but will take the train to-
morrow and come to Blaize House in time
hope. for dinner. / do not apoogize for
this short notice, knowing there IS even
more joy within your gates over the unin-
VitcO Cuau lio liFllStu guest.
Yours ALWAYS,
VINCENT HOPE.
Vincent Hope! It must be my enemy.
The allusion to his literary pursuits put
that beyond a doubt. My time had come.
concluded meet foeek
NIGnTCAPs.-Dr. J. Mortimer Gran
vile writes: "Many persons who are not