Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1884-09-19

asked Mrs. Dirk with curious sparkle in
her eyes.
''In this wilderness, here," said Mrs.
Lonsdale, twelve shillings would be-
eff those are your ideas we never shall
come to terms.'' said Mrs. Dirk. "But if
you are really cramped for money"
MY dear Mrs. Drix,' said the rich
man IS wife, "you have no idea of the per-
petual demands on us for money"
II will take you for twenty-five shil-
lings.' Mrs. Dirk completed her sentence
as if the other had not spoken.
And the bargain was completed.
Mrs. Lonsdale had not been in the house
a week before she took her husband 3
cousin to task.
"That horrid old man in the faded olive
green suit has the best room in the house, -
said she. "The very BEST"
Eyes," said Mrs. Dirk, che is my
mothers uncle. He was always very good
to my poor husband
''But I'm told he only pays half-price?"
"That is my affair."" said Mrs. Dirk.
"But is it true ?' insisted Mrs. Ions
dale.
Eyes, it is true" confessed the widow
''He is very old, and can't 60 up and down
stairs, so of course, he must have the first
foor room.''
''But he hasn't any property"
SHE owns Garage farm. across the
mountains" said Mrs Dirk, ''bct nobody
will rent it of him because the land is so
rocky, and the farmhouse was burned
down last fall, when there were so many
fires in the woods. Beyond this he has
nothing"
Mrs. Lonsdale curled her lip.
"Such impudence," said she. "Nobody
has any right to live to be 80 years of age
without having laid up some little provis-
ion for the future.'
II was thinking" said Mrs. Dirk, "that
perhaps Cousin Mortimer Lonsdale would
contribute little something to his sup
port, as we are equally related"
"You may be sure he will not" said
Mrs. Lonsdale with emphasis.
'.Verv WE'LL" said Mrs. Dirk. calmly
"He will never want while I can help
him."
The very next week, however, old Mr..
Darrow was found dead in his arm chair.
And by will he had left everything he pos.
sessed to his grandniece, Mary Dirk.
II wish you joy of Garage Farm, y
chuckled Mrs. Lonsdale. ''Of course
you'll have to pay taxes on it, so it will be
absolutely money out of pocket"
cit was all he had to give,'' said Mrs.
Dirk.
Meanwhile the family was prospecting
Sarah was engaged to marry thrift ty
young farmer of the neighborhood. Helen
was earning good living.
Lizzie was contemplating the setting
up of small miliiner's shop on her own
account, and Rosie was in high favor at
Nottingham Place.
Even Mrs. Lonsdale admitted that hel
grave French cook could not excel the
syllabus, creams, delicate cakes and delic'
ious buildings which these young damsels
compounded. with the help of new-laid
eggs and country cream.
"I'm almost sorry our rooms are en-.
gagged at Saratoga" said the city lady,
81 am getting rather to like Moon Noun
tain. And your table is decidedly good
Mary"
But, just as she was packing her bic
trunks for the removal to the Mecca Of
modern fashions, Mr.. Lonsdale himself
came down.
SWELL" said the lady airly, "what is
the news, Mortimer"
Bad news" said Mortimer in hoarse
accent. "We are ruined. The business
has gone to wreck-the cashier has fled to
Belgium-and We haven't a cent to cal
our own"
Whereupon, naturally enough, Mrs
Lonsdale went into Mysteries.
When Mrs. Dirk came in Naomi was
wildly loading her husband with reproach.
es. Mortimer Lonsdale stood leaning
against the mattel, with something glitter
ing in his hand. Mrs. Dirk went up tc
him and took it away with gentle author
| ity.
"Give me that pistol. Mortimer" said
she. ''Get UP, Naomi, and leave off cry
ing and sobbing. If ever you needed tc
be woman, you need to be one now
'We are ruined we are ruined =
shrieked Naomi, tearing her hair.
IT never can redeem myself I" said Nor
timer huskily.' "Y gu had better have lei
me shot myself, Mary"
"Pshawl' said Mrs. Dirk CURLY. ISL
icide is the last resort of the coward
Don't you know, Mortimer, that it is al
ways darkest just before daylight"
81 don't know what you msan," sale
he.
"Then listen to me. The old lawyer has
! just come over from Garage Farm. HI
says that they have struck rich vein of
! iron on the rocky hills there. A stock
company want to buy it of me for $4,000
and I've agreed to sell it. Uncle barrow
was as much your granduncle as he was
mine. Well divide the money, Mortimer
you and l."
"But I've no right to it, Mary" falter
ed he.
"Not by law, perhaps" said the widow
''but you have by equity-at all events
half of it shall lie yours. What do want
of I've thousand .poundsY Half will he
great riches for me. The girls are all do
ing we'll, and like to lead busy life
Nay, Mortimer. you must take it'll"
He turned away his face.
MARY" said he, ''you have heaped
Goals of fire on our heads!"