Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1884-02-22
AN UNPLEASANT SURPRISE.

'Louise." said Miss Harrison, pausing
at the foot of the stairs or her way through
the hall from the kitchen to the sitting.
room. Are you ready think I heal
the sleigh bells.''
{ Oh, aunty !" called back a girlish voice
from bedroom at the head of the stairs
II haven't even begun to dress. Do come
up and help me. please"
my dear child !! Why, 1 supposed you
were ready long ago." said Miss Harrison,
as she entered her niece's room. what
| has been the matter %
II became SO interested in that book -
replied Louise, indicating with nod a
volume lying on tine floor by the table.
"that I forgot all about the sleighine par
ty," and as she spoke she caught dress
from one of the hooks in the closet, and
threw 1t over her head.
''Stop, STOP" said her aunt, ''don It
put on your dress until you change your
| skirt, Louise. I see that the ruffls has
! been torn almost all the way around"
"But I pinned it on again. said the
girl.
"Why did you not sew it ?''
"Oh, hadn't time. Never mind, it
| won't show. I can t stop to find another
skirt now.
But surely you are going to arrange
your hair, LOUISE said Miss Harrison.
cit is in most untidy condition.
81 mussed it lying down on the sofa.
But it will have to do as it is 1 haven't
time to fix it now,'' and Louise hastily
buttoned her dress and tied scarf about
her neck. ''I'll put my veil on and 1t
won't show. Where's my ulster? Oh,
there's the sleigh stopping at the door
now" and she seized her hat and caught
up pair of gloves lying on the window
sill.
Louise, stop, my dear. Don't run off
nalf-dressed. Your shoes are not even
buttoned. and the fingers of those gloves
are all out. Where can look for another
pair 20
II don't know, I'm sure," hurriedIy
answered the girl. "Never mind. I'll keep
my hands in my muff." and tying her veil
about her hat. she ran down stairs and out
of the front door before her aunt could
| utter another word.
| By the curbstOne large sleigh, dra wn
| by four powerful horses. stood waiting.
1t was filled with happy-faced young peo-
nlQ and O kha
young man pushed aside the buffalo robes
and sprang ont to meet her, general
smile going round as he did so; for Harry
Valiant's attention to Miss Harrison's
| niece had been too marked during the
past few weeks to escape notice, and had
caused good deal of gossip in Briar-
! town.
Harry was general favorite by virtue
OF his wealth, good looks and pleasant
manners. and he had already acquired
considerable reputation as lawyer. So
there were large number of young ladies'
in Briartow1 who would willingly have
exchanged places with Louise in his re-
gard. and who thought it rather hard that
his choice should have fallen upon one
who was comparatively a stranger to them
all. For Louise's home was in large
city several hundred miles distant. and
| she was visiting her aunt for the first
time.
The sleighing party had been arranged
by the young lawyer in Louise's honor,
opd II orNuo6 -,
her life; for, coming home in the moon
light. Harry asked and obtained her con-
sent to become his wife, subject to the ap-
proval of her parents.
Miss Harrison was sitting up for her
niece when at 10 O'Clock she came in, her
eyes sparkling and her cheeks flushed
with excitement.
Aunt Margaret she said, throwing
herself on hassock at the lady's feet. 81
am just the happiest girl in the world.-
Can't you guess why ?''
II think can, LOUISE said Miss Har-
rison, in low voice. my dear child,
you are to be congratulated. Harry Val
liant is one of the finest young men have
| ever met"
Sand you don't think father will OBJ.
ject?"
"Why should he? I think he will be
very much pleased that you have done SC
well. And you must try to make Harry
happy, Louise.'
ooh, shall, of course" said the girl
with little laugh. Il will begin at once
to copy after you, aunt Margaret. You
are as nearly perfect as any woman l
know
Her aunt smiled.
II do not think Harry will find you
unamiable or exactinq," she said. 81
only fear
THAT will shock him by my careless
habits interrupted Louise. Nov, you
know that was what you were going to
say, aunt Margaret
1 "Something like that my dear. OF
cOnrae whpn vou mo rrv vo,, mill 1s,-. "a