Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1884-08-08


81 don't believe English girls are half az
wicked as you think. Why don't you
trust them little more?" he asked,
She did not exactly know what answer
to make, so muttered something incoher-
| emit about society.
"All artificial, Lady Francis; all hum
| bug. 1t is great pity 1t is so. Society
spoils you ALL Do you know that Duke
| OF yours would make good fellow if he
were not Duke, and Lord Oldin has his
| head as well screwed on as any man in the
States. You, too. are a clever woman
! yourself, Lady Francis" he continued.
Il like you, and guess like your nobil-
| ity, too-when they thaw."
Lady Francis could not altogether IN
derstand or appreciate Samuel w. Brown.
Indeed, she was quite concerned about
him. He had habit of calling on her at
all hours, giving as an excuse that the
girls were away with the boys.' and he
was lonely.
Il really believe" said Lady Francis to
her friend Clare-''I really believe that
wretched man is making love to me-
GOOD gracious my dear. how terrible
1t will spoil it all if you have to refuse
him." exclaimed Glare Melton.
By this time Samuel Washington Brown
and the Miss Browns were celebrities
Everyone knew or had heard of the great
American heiress, but Jack Trlmston did
not seem a bit nearer to marriage. Lady
Francis was in despair. sThey will ruin
me between them.' she moaned. "Why,
have actually overdraWn my account at
the bank ~
s'It will be all right, mother, when l
marry Katie. Old Sam will stump up the
dollars, as he expresse it," laughed Jack.
II wish you would propose at once. We
really cannot go on living in this extrava-
CANT manner. I am positively 1uined!'
moaned Lady Francis.
''Fancy half million of money, moth
or! Why, you can have as much as you
like. when it is mine.''
Matters, however, gradually became
desperate. Every one was talking of Jack
and the heiress. and was wondering why
the engagement was Kept secret; ''for
surely" they reasoned, s'they must be en-
gagged, or they would not be going on in
this manner And by degrees they also
began to associate Samuel w. Browns
name with that of Lady Francis.
Fancy the old tabby going in for that
rich savage" said her dear friend, Lady
Oldin, to her husband.
At last the crisis came. Lady Francis
received an intlmation from her banker
that he could not cash any more of her
checks. Nothing could save, her, there
fore, but Jacks Immediate engagement.
On his arrival her ladyship explained
the startling news to him.
81 will propose tomorrow he remark
ed: ''but perhaps had better write and
get an appointment first with the old gen.
tleman, and sound him.
He accordingly dispatched the follow
ing epistle:
"MY DEAR SIR:-Can you give me an
interview tomorrow morning at II
O'Clock at the Langham | wish to speak
to you on delicate subject, and hope to
see you alone.
pray remember me very kindly to
your daughters, and believe me,
u. TR1MsroN.
IS. W. Bro,on, Esq.,
''There MOTHER" he remarked, "the die
is cast. Tomorrow will decide my fate.n
The next morning while he was seated
at breakfast with Lady Francis, letter
was handed him by the servants. He read
it quietly, and then, after little hesita-
ton passed it on to his mother. 1t ran:
''MY DEAR SIR:-I shall be most happy
to see you as suggested, at II. If, how
ever, the delicate subject you refer to has
reference to the absurd rumors connecting
my name with that of your mother,
hardly think you need trouble to call, as
am happy to say that my wife is still alive.
ours IS indeed strange country. Just
because your good mother took kindly
Interest in me, her friends Immediately
put 1t down that she was about to become
Mrs. Brown. | am sure there has never
been anything in her conduct to justify
such an assumption, and l venture to offer
her, through you, my most sincere SYM
pathy that her considerate attention to
me should have been so misunderstood.
Believe me,
VERY truly yours,
SAMUEL W. BROWN,
SIP. ST see by your note that you send
Kind membranes to my daughters.
They are at school in Boston. You mean,
| presume. my nieces, Mary and Katie.
Poor girls they will, / fear, find it diff
cult to settle down as governesses after
all the gaiety you have so kindly shown
them. "-London Truth.