Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1884-02-01

| leaning her head on her hands, looked any
thing but prosperous, healthy, comfort
able young woman. Presently she glanced
stealthily around her, and from the bosom
OF her dress drew out photograph of
very handsome, distinguished looking
man. Mr.. Hope had given it to her at
her request. some days before. It was to
go into her celebrity album, she told him.
Laying it on the table between her elbows
Miss Rivers gazed at it long and earnest
ly, until her foolish eyes became so misty
with tears that she could see it no longer.
One by one these tears began to fall, and
soon came so fast that she gave in alto
gether-forgot where she was-forgot all
risk of interruption; and laying her head
on the table, presented the very picture Of
woe. Her bewailings and beweepings
were at their greatest height when the
door was suddenly thrown open. and Mr..
Hope stood before her! She sprang to her
feet, and in her agitation brushed the
photograph to the ground. Even in her
dire confusion. the prayer that it might
have fallen face downward framed itself.
But she dared not look to see; she had to
face the intruder as best she could. Yet
re seemed for the moment taken even
more aback than Miss Rivers. He stam-
mered out something about shaft broken
three miles from home-lmpossibility of
catching train-come back to write tele-
gram, etc. Then he looked on the ground
and what he saw there was enough to
make him glance wonderingly at the
shamefaced girl who stood before him
with wet lashes and glowing cheeks.
Miss Riverside ritage!'' he said, "tell
me what this means,'
She made no reply, but endeavored to
TO pass him. He blocked the way, an d by
the exercise of some force, took both her
hands in his. AS they stood there, she
could see on the ground between them
that unlucky photograph lying face up
ward.
LET me go, Mr.. Hope" she said. SIT is
unk;nd to keep me against my WILL
Her appeal was vain. His strong hands
held her yet more firmly. He seemed to
be waiting until she chose to look up and
meet his eyes. But that would never have
been-not if they had stood there till the
present moment.
At last he spoke, his voice was almost
grave; Heritage, am very proud.
have always vowed would ask no woman
twice to be my wife; but will ask you
once more if you love me 2''
Miss Rivers only bent her head lower
and lower.
ANSWER me, Heritage" he said. in
changed, passionate voice, "My darling
answer me, and this time truthfully!"
1t was 40 use. Had she wished to do so.
she could tight ne longer. She ventured
TO raise her eyes little, and said, so timid-
~, so dltferently from her usual way of
speaking: 'If [ thought you would only
forgive me, would try and show you what
cannot-will not, tell you-how much
loye you" She was very. very humble in
Der new-found happiness.
Then Vincent Hope loosened her hands
little. and Well, these things only
happen ohce in the life of true woman,
and she should neither write nor speak
ABOUT them. But when Charlie I,iobton
came to look for the telegram, not even
written, nor in the proposed form, to be
written, Vincent Hope and Heritage
Rivers were wondering, as every orthodox
pair OF lovers should wonder, why thew
were chosen out to be made the two very
napplest people in the whole world.
so this Was how cons UNI mated nv re-
venge.
It was only after we were married that
Ventured to tell my husband that / had
actually laid myself out tc win his love-
and why, when won, 1 had rejected it.
MY confession, which was really seriously
made, being complete, he looked at me
with mock severity.
Heritage he said, 'had known this
before, might, even at the eleventh hour.
have thought better of the step I was TAX
ing in putting my future in the hands of
such vindictive young woman
"And, perhaps, sweet sir, answered.
:'for very fear of that. have deferred nv
explanation until now .''-Cham5er's
Journal.