Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1884-04-25


She hurried about the house, and soon
heard low groans from the study on the
second floor.
The door stood open peeping in she saw
tall man lying on sofa, and Master
Tommy standing near by, pulling out his
hair by handfuls. With every tug the suf-
fered groaned, but made no resistance.
Tommy" called Linda, Tommy come
here. Really. sir. you ought not to allow
that"
Tommy obeyed and ran to her. The mar
tyr lifted up his head.
Don't disturb him." he said mourn
fully. 81 would deny nothing to her
child. wish to do my duty by him at
least"
THAT is not the way to do it, sir" said
Linda. absurd indulgence is injurious
to any child"
She led Tommy away.
ing him in the alphabet, tangled head Of
black hair appeared at the door a thin,
tall figure followed, and Mr.. Bellamy,
with a detected air and tone. inquired
'May come in p
Linda fastened to place chair, and
went on with her lesson.
The father eyed her with wistful
look.
"You seem to manage him." he said.
81 try to, sir" said Linda.
"He has his sainted mothers face"
said Mr.. Bellamy.
The child, with his blunt nose. and
rough, red cheeks, was not particularly
sait-like, but Linda, as in duty bound,
bowed gravely.
SIT comforts me to see him." said Mr..
Bellamy. "May I come often %
''This is your own house, sir" said
Linda.
From that day Mr.. Bellamy sat in the
nursery great deal. In the evenings he
took Tommy to walk. At the end of that
month he raised Linda's wages.
AS the summer wore on, and the year of
his mourning glided by, he bestowed many
condolences on his nursery governess. He
remembered each cause of complaint his
late wife had had against him and desired
Linda S opinion. Generally she found him
not to blame. By slow degrees he grew
more cheerful, and at last brought home
a top for Tommy and set it humming.
On TIE anniversary of his wife's death
he took Linda and Tommy to her grave
and wept there.
ga broken-hearted man is Mr.. Bel
lamy," said Mrs. Posset. 'But it seems
singular to me that he didn't ask me to
| take the child instead of you"
The week after Mrs. Penfeatber and one
of Tommy's aunt came to make visit.
There was good deal of whispering in
the housekeeper's room; and one evening
Mrs. Penfeather entered the nursery with
a naughty air, and seating herself in a
rocking chair, addressed herself to Linda.
Il am the late Mrs. Bellamy's mother,
as suppose you know, and l have come
over to see how Tommy is getting on. I
can't say think he is doing we'll at all
and 1 believe I can find better nurse
bdlo lOl hlds Nv do yOol hlOhVd 10 up
next Monday, III pay you now in place of
warning and you can pack up at once"
Linda looked at the old lady quietly
paused moment, said VERY WE'LL" and
walked out of the room. Her little trunk
stood in the store-room; she opened it and
began to take down her few plain gowns.
Suddenly Tommy's voice reached her, cry
| ing:
''Where's my Linda ?" and she heard
the grandm other say:
LINDA is going away. She's naughty -
Then she realized that she had come to
love Tommy, and tears fell fast upon the
garments she was packing.
"Crying? ?" said voice behind her.
"Why, Linda, what has happened %
I'm very foolish, that's all, Mr.. Bella.
my. 1t is only leaving Tommy" she an
swered, without looking around.
Leaving Tommy? What do you
mean ?" cried Mr.. Bellamy.
He came into the store-room and stood
near her, looking down at her.
MRS. Penfeather has dismissed me,''
she said.
"But have not," said Mr.. Bellamy.
He bent toward her; he looked at her as
master seldom looks at servant. Sud
denly Linda understood all.
cit is right that I should go,'' she
thought, and yet her tears fell faster. Yes
she not only loved Tommy but she GER
tainly liked Mr.. Bellamy very much.
SIT will break the child's heart if you
go,' said Mr.. Bellamy; "Mrs. Penfeathel
oversteps her privileges. Linda, my deal
child, you can't go. I have thought fol
some time that you never must. 1t is my
duty to give little Tommy a mother, and
I'm so very fond of you. Won't you
marry me %
He put his arms about her waist. He
had such soft kind way, though he was
weak and womanish.
"Say yes, Linda" he said. But she an
swered:
mot now; not here" and hurried hel
clothes into her trunk. He stood by de
jectedly.
"Think it over, Linda" he pleaded
And she promised.
In the little hall bedroom. such tigh
fit for two, she talked it over with hel
grandmother that night. Linda had hat
dreams of gallant Knights and youns
princes, like other girls; and Bellamy wal
neither. But she felt as if he needed to b,
taken care Of; and there was Tommy. Ant