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

never desert his widowed mother. And
there is not heater housekeeper in Brlar-
town than she is. don't think you could
get teaspoonful Of dust if you poked
in every crack and chink in her house."
81 shan't ask her to let me try" laugh
ed Louise. But, really, Auntie, thin k
you are inclined to exaggerate my untidi.
ness little. Surely it is not crime to
have ones shoes unbuttoned or collar
loose The horrid pins never will stay :"
They would stay if You put them in
properly, LOUISE" said Miss Harrison
gently. "But you don't seem to think
neatness or order of the slightest impor-
tance."
II haven been brought up to give them
much thought, that's fact" said Louise.
"At home everything is at skies and
sevens. Yet we all get on well enough.
AS mother says: What is the use of wor-
rying about little things when we have
minds to improve and cultivate ?''
MISS Harrison sighed.
zone need not neglect sell Improvement
while looking carefully after the ways of
the household" she said. "But I must
not keep you up any longer, my dear. It
is time you were asleep. Go to bed now,
and perhaps tomorrow I may be able to
convince you that it will be we'll for you
to have little more regard for Heaven 8
first law when you become Harry Valiant g
wife,
II fear you will find me incorrigible,
Aunt Margaret" said Louise, as she left
the room. What is bred in the bone
will come out in the flesh,' you know
A troubled look came upon Miss Har-
rison's face, as the door closed upon the
graceful figure of her niece.
$50 pretty, SO talented. SO accomplished
and SO amiable. " she murmured. "and yet
l fear her one fault will bring her many a
heartache in the future.'
Miss Harrison accompanied her niece to
Mrs. Valiant's to make a formal call, and
Louise-thanks to her aunt's care-was so
beautifully and neatly dressed that Mrs.
Valiant. sharp as we're her eyes to detect
a flaw. had no fault to find, and was com.
pleuely won by the young girls charming
manners and lovely face.
81 can congratulate you. Harry, with
all my heart" she said to her son that
evening. II like Miss Louise so we'll that
hope you will soon bring her home to
me-"
''And you will like her still more when
you know her better, mother" said the
young man, much pleased by this praise of
his betrothed. "She is wonderfully clever.
Young as she is-only twenty. you know
she has already written several essays
for scientific magazines, and helps her
father continually in his law work."
81 think you have every reason for be-
lieving she will make you happy" said
Mrs. Valiant as she bent over her son and
kissed him tenderly. "But Harry-vou
know my hohby-is she neat? This is a
virtue of great importance in my eyes.
since you are to make your home with
me.'
And in my eyes, too," said Harry.
smiling. 1.-THE necessity of order and
cleanliness has been so impressed upon me
from my youth up, that slovenly woman
is my especial aversion. But have never
seen Louise otherwise than we'll and neat
ly dressed, mother"
miss Harrison is a model housekeeper,
know said Mrs. Valiant. land very
probably Loulse's home is as we'll kept"
II will take notes for your special ben
eft when pay her my first VISIT" said
Harry, laughing.
Three days after her call upon Mrs.
Valiant, Louise was summoned home BY
the illness of her mother. Harry accom-
panied her some distance on her journey,
and promised to visit her as soon rs his
business would permit him to do SO. Mean
while they were to correspond. Mr.. Har
rson having given by letter his free con-
sent to their engagement.
1t was cold. rainy day in March. A
very dismal, uncomfortable day, Louise
Harrison thought as she sat in her bed
room and looked out on the muddy, wet
street. Before her was small table lit
tered with writing materials, fancy word,
patterns. and various odds and ends. But
she was not working. for she had just re-
ceived letter from Harry in which he
announced the pleasant news that he
would be with her on tomorrow, and she
could think of nothing else.
II wonder what time ne will CALL" she
murmured. as she opened the letter for
about the tenth time and scanned the
closely written pages. II must have the
parlor fixed up and tell Susan to build a
fire in the CRATE"
At this moment the door opened and
her father, tall, handsome, but rather
careworn looking man, entered.
"Why, father, I supposed you had gone
to your Office long ago." said Louise, look
Ing up in surprise.
mo; as usual breakfast was late. and
and I've been looking for the last hour for
that bundle Of newspapers 1 put on the
shelf of the library closet week ago.
Some one has meddled with them, of
course; aud they are not to be- found.
Can't you make a search for them
Louise 20
Certainly answered Louise, with
cheerful alacrity, land if find them 1
will bring them down to your Office this
afternoon. A walk will do me good, and
don, " mind tho ro in ot oil ~
IL want them as soon as possible" said
Mr.. Harrison. "They are of Importance
as reference in case that have coming
up soon. Is that letter from Mr.. Vail
ant2 and when are we to have the pleas
ure of seeing him?"
ITO. morrow" answered Louise, blush