Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1884-11-07

violets. And when l saw Florence Silon
sitting opposite me as my wife, L could
not regret the abrupt termination of my
first engagement, although l still remem-
bered Kate Dallas golden hair and limpid
eyes, and wondered within myself what
luckless cavalier was the present object of
her pretty despotism
Fernando, I am quite sure you have
missed the way ~
1 burst out laughing at the bewilder-
ment of my wife's voice.
1T looks like it, Flora, must say.
Well, we must drive back to the last
cross-roads-iv miles if it is stepl''
[ looked around at the fine old woods on
either side of the solitary road, in hopes
Of seeing something like human habita-
ton.
Look, Florence - cried triumphant
ly. as I checked my horse, isn't that
smoke ?"
Florence shook Der head.
'''Mist from some low-lying stream
more likely,' she said incredulously.
''As if my eye5ight we're not more trust
worthy than that! tell you, young lady.
that Is smoke. There's rural cot among
those cedars, ard I intend to cast myself
and you upon the hospitality of these
jewellers in the wilderness. am hungry
$50 am IL laughed my wife; "but l
don't belieye-"
sprang out, picketed my horse to a tall
birch sapling and gave my arm ostenta-
tiously to my bright-eyed companion.
CAT all events" I said, "we'll go and
see.''
Across the cool aises of the midsum-
mer woods-through dense underbrush
and thickets of wild roses, that showered
their pink petals round our feet as we
walked-over a clear stream, by the aid
of fallen long, we made our way. until
Florence's doubts were solved by the &C.
tual appearance of little one-story cot.
tage or cabin of unpalnted wood, in a
stump-dotteG clearing, where melan.
choly pig, roofing under the porch foun-
dation, and patch of yellow-looking
stunted cabbages in the background, de-
noted something like civilization.
"Oh Fernandez whispered my wife, as
we saw course-looking shock headed
man, smoking short black pipe in the
porch, with his elbows on his knees and a
greasy newspaper before him, while two
or thee sun-burned elves in faded cloth
ing played around his feet. "Let US &C
back! This is such a horrid place!"
II daresay we can buy a draught o.
milk or even raw cabbage here" reas
sured her. "Why, Florence, child you
wouldn't make much soldier!'
The man looked up as we approached
and we explained the dilemma in which
we found ourselves.
'Oh, of course-of course" he said
with CLEAN of courtesy which showed
he had not always passed his life in thes'
dreary wilderness. "Sit down. jamie
call your mother. 1 believe my wife,
somewhere round at the back of the hous
splitting kindlings."
Florence opened wide her soft brown
eyes at this speech.
"You are an invalidP"
IAN inyalld,' with a hearty laugh
which plainly indicated the sound condi
ton of his lungs at least. Mot much o
the invalid about me. guess2''
"Then why don't you split the kindling
for her?' asked frank Florence.
He arched his eyebrows with lazy scorn
| Il don't believe in this business of We
mans Rights and Female Suffrage" b
answered slowly putting at the black pipe
Tin for keeping women down were the
belong. If my wife isn't hard at work
she'll be whining and complaining abou
the days when we were better off. I'm no
the man to humor woman's whims. st
| PauI's better than any Of your modern
apostles, and he believed in keepin
women at work.
Florence was about to indignant.
combat this position when little bare
footed urchin came tumbling around tn
corner of the house.
'tMother amt splittin' kiudlings-she'
gone to the spring for water l hol
Tered to her to come quick, Pappy wante'
herl"
'That's right, sonny! said our host
complacently.
Almost in the same minute a bowed
down, weary-looking woman emerged fror
the wall of woods below the house carry
ing a brimmlng pail of water in eithe
hand-a faded, bonnetless woman, who's
yellow, lusterless hair was twisted into
tight knot at the back Of her head an
J whose brow was already scanned wit
wrinkles, though she had scarcely reache
middle age. Yet there was an impalpabl
something in the wan face that straine
my memory strangely.
"Kate ballast" l involuntarily e1
claimed.
She stopped and set down her pals. co
oring scarlet; It was that our recognitio
was mutual.
"Let me carry them,' I said, advant
. ing.
, NEEDN'T trouble yourself !" said II
) master of the house. "She is used to ii
aren't you. Kitty So you know my wifi
eli, sir ?''
introduced myself and Florence, an
learned in my turn, that my first love
was married to Mr.. Sykes, who had faile
7 In business three times in New York ar
Its neigboring cities, and taken to "faru
ing" by way of final settlement in life.
"You see that we are very poor" bega
Z. Kate, nervously," and"
"NothiDg to be ashamed of in that,
broke in her husband as she was stoppf