Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1884-04-18

all that mysterious and bewildering ar
rangement of dress that he saw every
! day.
Still he knew that Aunt Betsey's spare
locks thinly sprinkled with gray, were not
dressed in modern style, and he could not
for the life of him see whereabouts on that
dear old head any of these gypsies or fan
chons would rest. He remembered that
, long ago Aunt Betsey was wont to twist
her hair with the same energy that dis
| tinguished all her movements, aud that
this operation resulted in hard knot at
the back of her head like door handle,
[ which certainly would not harmonic with
these capeless head dresses.
Just as his brow was overcast with the
thought, the pale g,rl came near Uncle
defiance of the other girls. holding in her
hand plain Leghorn bonnet, trimmed
with violet ribbons.
| She wore mourning dress, and the
plain brooch at her throat held lock of
gray hair. II think this might suit you,
sir,' she said. IF your wife don dress
her hair in these fashions, these bonnets
would not do at all. This is rich and plain,
and covers the back of the head and
neck.''
"Wa'al now, tell me, for I have got so
bothered with these things that don It
know one from t'other. 1 want to get a
bonnet for Betsey, and I mean to. Now
just tell me if you would like your mother
to wear one like this. Oh, beg your par
don, ma am. | didn't see,'' and
he touched the sleeve of her black dress,
"I-I-am sorry -
The young lady brushed off tear
quickly, as she said, II have no mother
now; but if you'll trust me, sir, think
this will suit"
She stood. hitherto, just out of the
range of John Dare's vision, and had not
seen him at all. Something in the sound
of her voice attracted him, perhaps, and
when Uncle Abel called: "Here. John
DareI" he stepped hastily enough
toward them. The girl thrust the
bonnet into Uncle Abel's hands. and
would haye been out of sight il her dress
had not caught one of the branching
stands and held her fast.
Amy !" and John Dare, with hot flush
on his face, caught her hand and so de-
tanned her.
"Amy Egbert, have I found you at
last ?"
The girls face grew white and red by
turns. and the words she spoke came so
slow and broken that only John could
catch their meaning.
Uncle A bel pushed his spectacles up on
his forehead, still holding the hat in his
hand, looking open mouthed from one to
the other.
! II guess you must have known this
young woman afore, didn't you?' he
said; but John was too busy with eager
questions, and Amy was trembling and
flushing as she tried to speak calmly. and
so his question was unanswered. Pretty
Josie was dividing her attention between
new customer and the strange scene
| beside her, and between anger and morti-
| fcation she looked in no need of help from
rouge. as she tossed her head and mutter-
ed various uncourteous remarks in regard
that Amy Egbert, and her beau.
Uncle Abel held the hat while longer
quite patiently, but at last despaired of
the interview being ended, so he coughed
and then said:
! "Ill take the bunnit. Twenty dollars
is good deal. Betsy's is worth it. amt
| it John -
John need not have started 50. or said
"Very," which wasn't a suitable answer
at all; but Uncle Abel laughed little to
himself, and, said, softly, "Oh, boys will
be boys % and he was obliged to tell Miss
| Egbert the direction over twice, too, and
felt quite uneasy lest it should not arrive
at his hotel in time.
Outside the door John turned to leave
his uncle and looked as shy as girl. as he
said, ,'1t's all right, Uncle Abel; you'v
found new bonnet and I've found "a
an old friend.''
| Uncle Abel held his hand fast, and look
ed moment, without speaking. in Johns
face in wistful way; then said. looking
in the 5oung mans eyes, "She is a mother
less girl, John"
Uncle Abel!'' and John turned angrily
away, or would have done so if the detain-
ing hand had not held him with grasp
which sixty years had not weakened.
"Look here. my boy, meant no offense.
None Of my blood turn villains" he added
proudly, "but you see she's young and
purity and forlorn, and maybe, If you see
too much Of her, she might get to thinkin
more of you than would be good for her.
and if you amt in earnest guess 'twould
break her heart. Shake hands with your
uncle, my boy. mean no harm; but
promised Liza, when she was on her dyin
bed, that l allus would try to give you
good advice and the last words almost
that she spoke, said she, Abel, watch
over my boy"
my dear, kind uncle. 1 thank you, in.
deed. 1 do. for all your Kindness. but
could not bear to think that you should
misjudge me. I knew Amy. long ago
when her parents were both living, and
she had all that wealth could give. loved
her then in quiet way, but was toe
poor to tell her so. Then came reverses
and death, and in her poverty and pride
the girl hid herself from me resolutely
until now. She tried to earn her bread by
her accomplishments, but failed, arc
gladly took this means to do so. Now if ]
can win her for my wife shall bring Mrs
John Dare to see you some fire day this
summer; may I, Uncle Abel ?''
So they parted, and the passers by little
dreamed of all that had been said,