Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1884-11-14

Of course, it was unintentiona1-ail was
said and over so quickly, Equally OF
course it was dishonorable, but think as
rule we are not up to consider questions
of honor with extreme nicely when our
hearts are very sore.
five decided to take her." Jacks quiet
voice was saying YEARLY. TITS the only
thing 1 can do now
Ned spoke.
''She's skittish, I know, but 10y way of
consolation) she may outgrow that
Jessica groaned involuntasily. Jack
glanced toward the cartaln.
"Well. drop the subject" In lower
voice: Keep it dark. like good boy. l
don't want people to know 1 am such
young fool as to be taken in by a bag of
bones, all paint and drug"
Jessica was plump as partridge, and
her complexion was "bloom'' patented
by natures self The morning room was
unlit, save from the halt. Thank good
ness for that She felt herself growing
faint and dizzy. Was that Jack who
talked so-could he be-hsF Jaek2
"Oh, come. now!" laughed Ned, ''you
know you're exaggerating. She's not
quite as bad as that''
Pretty nearly!' ruefully. ~ don't SO
much mind her skittishness-Ic could break
her of that, fatter myself-but she has
has terrible temper"
She must not faint, Jessica told herself
frantically. Oh, she must notl Was that
dark thing beside her in the shadow Of
the portiere fauteuil? She sank down
| on it heavily, weakly, exhaustedly. Hor-
TOR of horrors! 1t at first succumbed a
second to her weight, then moved, pro.
tested with vigorous energy. shrieked.
All faintness banished, Jessica leaped
| to her feet, her soft, quick cry of alarm
mingling with that mufflad roar of rheu-
matte agony.
"That's aunt!" gasped Ned.
"Jessica!" cried Jack. He strobe for
ward and flung aside the portiere. The
light from the library poured into the
shadowy morning-room. 1t fell on Jessica
standing just within,ver white and trem-
bling, and it showed on the floor large
and ungraceful heap of crushed drab silk
and bugles. disordered 'front.'" and grue-
some groaDs.
For moment they stood and stared
speechless. But Miss Murphy kept on
groaniDg.
"What is it all about?" queried Ned be-
whereby, helping his aunt to rise.
CLIP faltered Jessica, s'sat down on
Miss Murphy!''
"What?" cried Ned.
Eve were eavesdropping," confessed
Miss Murphy, with venomous candor,
land Jessica took me for a footstool and
MY darling!' whispered Jack (no, not
to Miss Murphy ~ thought when Iheard
your voice you were hurt Or"
Jessica famed up,
"Uow daresyoaa stand back sir! Here g
your ring" She tugged bravely, but it
fitted we'll. III have heard in what map
ner you speak of me. No." disgustedly
don't appear antonished! Recall your
conversation of yesterday morning with
Ned Sales.''
Ned started at being thus abruptly re-
ferred to, Jack looked dazed. 81 did not
intend to hear another such conversation
as that which had been repeated to me,
but did. If I'm-I'm," the rose Grim.
soning in her cheek, "skittish," bringing
out the hateful word with jerk "and-
and deuced-bad-barga slowly, and
if I've got ter-ter-here's your ring!'
4 She had wrenched it off at last.
But Jack did not take it, His dumb
dismay had turned to uproarious mirth
1t was we'll noisy polonaise was in pro
gress in the drawing-room. He laughed
He kept on laughing. SUDDENLY the whole
ludicrous misunderstanding bursting on
Ned he struck in with very howl of de-
light. and they fell into each others arms
like couple of crazy boys and supported
each other and laughed.
But recollecting Jessica standing there
Sutherland explained, between shameful
relapses into laughter, ut was-a horse
I thought 1 knew all about horse flesh.
knew nothing. I have to take her-the
idiocy is mine. fondly fancied I had
found Maud S. Jim Smiley's famous
nag could beat her. I gave thousand
for her. She's worth-ah, now you under,
stand!''
For Jessica had sprang forward, mouth
and eyes open and three sweet, re-
morseful "O'sY''
I blackjack? And how 1 talked just
now!' all riotous bushes. 81 think-I'n
afraid flared up SOL must have, aftel
all, a-a-the kind of a temper you said
the horse hadE'
I I'LL risk it - laughed Jack.
Needless of Mrs. Bryant's small nephew
who had entered and stood stock still ar
exclamation point of inquisitive delight
needless Of Ned, who chung in silent, spas
modic commissions to the portiere; heed
less even, this rash young man, of Mis-:
Murphy-that ancient virgin who, rigii
and frigid, glowered at him in an access
of scandalized modesty, he took his sweet
heart in his arms with good, long, loving
kiss, and thus adoringly addressed her
Doubted me, did you? You-con
temptible little-wretch I'-Kate Cleary
in Chicago Tribune.
A Mere Child Forced to Wed Man Sh'
Did Not Love.
| Last Friday. in Philadelphia, a brigh
r looking girl of thirteen years entered the
| Office of the Society to Protect Children
. from Cruelty. and approaching the desl
T said to Secretary Crew: II am only thir