Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1884-03-14


near them rose the perfume CT the bou-
quet of flowers. It filled the room with
delicious fragrance, and Salie bent over
the vase, and nestled her cheek against
the tender, beautiful blossoms.
dead Charliel" she whispered. "He
knows I love flowers. How thoughtful
he is, and how he loves me.''
She drew herself erect with a deep,
gasping sigh. 1t flashed over her like the
play of lightning, that Charlie must be-
come nothing to her when she wore Gill
bert Lee g diamonds. Life without Charlie.
How odd it seemed. For three years
Charlie had been to her like brother, al
ways kind. always loving, until within a
few months she realized that Charlie was
not her brother after all, but aspired to a
closer place in her heart. And when this
truth broke upon her, another followed
closely-that Gilbert Lee was also wooing
her. But Sadie knew that he had never
touched the spot in her heart where
Charlie had found place three years ago.
The flowers, wrapping her in sweet in
cense. were telling Sadie all the secret of
her heart, when Lola tapped at the door
'Mr. Lee is waiting, Sadie"
Never had Sadie, in the bloom of her
youthful beauty. looked so dignified and
womanly as she did when she en- tered the
little parlor where Gilbert awaited her.
Never had he SO longed to take her to his
heart and home as he did when she an
swered his suit with gentle frmness.
Throwing aside all cequetry. she gave him
his refusal with truthful expression in
her blue eyes, as her low voice said:
81 should wrong you, Gilbert, and be
false to my own heart if 1 married you,'
she said.
You do not love me p
mot as your wife should love you," she
answered. Then seeing his look of pain
and modification, she added bravely:
Had 1 known you sooner, my answer
might have been different, bat before we
met had given away all my love.''
THANK you for telling me that" he an.
swered, earnestly, II shall respect your
confidence"
He was gone before Sadie remembered
the bracelet.
u must send it," she told Lola, wien
her sister came to her again.
Then looking into the gentle, sweet
face, she whispered:
L think was true to my own heart,
Lola"
Not long after, white -robed little fig
ure, in the old muslin. frilled and futed
till it was marvel of crisp, snowy prettl-
ness, came fluttering into the parlor. Upon
the bosom of the white dress was cluster
of Charles flowers, and there were more
twisted in the nut brown-hair. Charlie
glanced at them as he came in; but Charlie
looked grave and preoccupied. Never, in
three years of counting, had Charlie ap.
preached Sadie with such a solemn air
Lola, guessing what was coming. was
stealing away, but Charlie put his hand Oh
her arm.
''Stay ~ he said in grave voice, II
have no secret for you. You knew long
ago what I meant to ask Sadie, for you
begged me to wait until she was older
She is seventeen tonight. and she must
know her own heart. Sadie"-his voice
thrilled with infinite tenderness as be
spoke the name-'I love you. Will you
be my wife 7"
Sadie. somewhat awed by bis grave man
puf hor liff1o hond in his s1yifh
any other answer than vivid blush, and
down cast eyes. In moment the old
Charlle-radiant, sunny Charlie-was
there again.
You do love me 7 Oh, Sadie, have
been 80 wretched. Gilbert Lee was here
to-day, and you are wearing his flowers
I saw him sending them to you."
''His flowers? I thought they were
yours
mo. IL didn't send flowers. I have
confession to make, Sadie. if you viii
hear It,"
Charlie, holding Sadie's hand fast in
his, said:
''You never heard me speak about my
father, but Tonight must tell you some
thing of him. When was mere boy,
not more than five years old, the gold feve r
took fast hold of his imagination, and he
was one of the first of the gold seekers who
sailed to dig wealth from the ground. and
wash it from the waters of California. For
a little time my mother heard from him,
but the intervals between the letters be-
came longer, till after FIVE years of watch
ing and waiting she ceased to hear at all.
was but twelve years old when my moth
er died. Nv uncle took me into his own
family, and educated me with his BOYS.
He was not rich man, and knew that
must depend Upon my own exertions for
support, as soon as was old enough to
work. Three years ago, through friend
of my uncle, was offered position in
the bank. Then met you, Sadie, little
girl. but the sweetest and most winsome
little girl in the world. Your sisters kind
hospitality to the stranger, the poor CLERK.
enabled me to see you often; to love you
fondly followed very soon. But 1 was
poor. and you had often told me how bit
ter and CALLING poverty was to you. bad
no wealth to lay at your feet, and you
we're but child, SO spoke no words OF
love, bound you by no promise, hoping to
win gold to offer you before you were
much older"
"What mercenary thing you must
have tn ought me-" said Sadie laughing.
"Then." Charlie said, "Gilbert Lee
came. He was rich, and he was young,
too, and handsome, with winning tongue
and gentle courtesy of manner. He saw
you, Sadie, and he loved you. did not
urge my suit then. l did not dare ask