Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1884-03-14
THE Two sUIT0Rs.

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Lola, Sadle's widowed sister, twelve
years older than the seventeen-year
beauty, who was sewing and signing, only
said, gently:
I'VE are no poorer to-day than we have
been for many years, my dear Sadie,''
mo but" faltered Sadie, dropping
her blue eyes, sit is my birthday, and
would like to have something pretty to
wear at Aunt Kate's this evening. No
matter how much fuss over this dress,
it is an old muslin, after ALL"
But 1t looks very nlce."
'Nice," said the girl impatiently ST
want something more than nice. l am
tired of turning old dresses, dyeing bon
net ribbons, patching, and continuing -
I'VE should be thankful we are not
obliged to work for living, Sadie. know
it requires close economy to make our in
come meet our expenses, but we have
the cottage, and plenty to eat and drink.
with margin for neat clothing"
But l want silk dresses, jewelry, car
rage, want to try being RICH"
"Sadie," Lola said, trying to look into
her sisters dropping blue eyes, what has
Gilbert Lee been saying to you ?"
The crimson blood tinged Sadie's face
and throat, and her fingers trembled over
her work.
Tell me-" urged Lola.
Nothing. At least, nothing more than
he has said hundred times before.
But he wants to see me this afternoon
and-and-''
Sadie paused again. and then said.
speaking very radidIy:
II promised Charlie he should 60 with
US to Aunt Kate's this EVENING"
"And you think this afternoons inter-
view will make you regret your promise ?''
Lola said. slowly.
II don't know
Sadie put her work aside, abruptly, and
took her seat at her sisters feet.
81 don't know, Lola. Lola did you love
Frank very, very much ?"
Eyes, DEAR"
"And yet be was poor. He only left
YOU the cottage when he died. We're
were you ever sorry you married poor
man, Lola %
"Never, Sadie,' was the Arm answer
mo wealth could have made me as happy
as Franks love. We were poor, worked
hard. and had heavy sorrow when our ba-
birs died. both on the same day, when
Frank broke his arm and lost his situa-
tion-bitterest of all sorrow, when Frank,
too, died but never regretted my mar
rage for one moment, Sadie. II it
we're all to live over again, would marry
Frank"
There was long silence, then Sadie
said, in low tone:
Gilbert Lee is rich, Lola; his wife
need not turn old dresses, nor cook din
ners.''
colbert Lees wife may be very happy.
Sadie. He is man for whom I have
great respect, an honorable man, gen.
erous and tender. but. Sadie, his wife
will not be happy, if she does not love
him.
The door bell rang at this moment, and
Sadie went out. returning with small
package and a bouquet of choice f ,were.
1.-Two presents, Lola" she said with q
flush of pleasure on her round cheek
mo pane with either, only card of
birthday CONGRATULATIONS. The flowers
are from Charlie, 1 am sure. He always
sends me bouquet for party; but this
oh, Lola. did you ever see anything so
superb?"
For the little package, upon being opened
Was found to contain jewel casket, upon
whose cushions of deep purple velvet rested
a diamond bracelet, throwing forth bril-
liant rays of light from its clasp of pure
gems. Even Lola gave cry of admira-
tion as Sadie lifted the splendid present
and clasped it upon her round, white
arm.
colbert Lee,'' Sadie said, ''And his
wife may wear such bracelets, with satin
or velvet robes. See how it sparkles, To-
Ia Oh, never saw anything half SO
beautiful in my life."
SIT is beautiful" Lola answered, with
a painful contraction at her heart. as she
watched Ter young sisters. beautiful face.
radiant with pleasure at her gift. but
you are forgetting your flowers. S~die.
Shall put them into water for you?'
Yes" said Sadie, still turning the
bracelet on her arm, ''if you will, Lola.
Oh, if bad only one silk dress to wear
with this tonight"
! "You mean to accept it. thenp You
know what that will imply, Sadie, such a
costly gift as that ?"
THAT must say yes when Gilbert
Lee comes this afternoon. I know-I will
say Yes l am tired of poverty, and
mean to have some of the delights wealth
will bring"
of loving, tender disposition. full of gen.
tie grace, and had filed mothers place
to Sadie since she was left orphaned. But
she lacked energy and resolution, and long
before had yielded the irst place to her
impulsye, active little sister. In heart
she feared so1ely for Sadie's happiness,
but she had no arguments ready, no words
to combat the young girls decision. She
left Sadie @ finish trimming her white
muslin, and admire her gift. and busted
herself about the house until she saw
Gilbert Lee coming up the garden walk,