Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1885-07-03

Maingay Clauson and old Talbert's daugh
The first Lady Clauson had been the coun
part of her brothers. Sir Maingay was sh
round faced and rather round bodied. "
Beatrice, the blemishes which had detrad
from her parents good looks reappeared
beauties.
Moreover, she had that air of distinct
upon the possession of which the Talberts
unjustly prided themselves. They were 6
to think it came to her from their side of
family-her father, the baronet, being
most baronets and other titled parsonage
very ordinary looking man. Ten to on
you go to the charity ball or other mixed
sembly, upon asking the names of the n
stinguished-looldng men you will find I'll
nobodies. never inquire now-it is
painful to be told that the noble-preser
man who smiles so condescendingly is
Smith, whilst that other insignifcant-looh
being is Lord This or the Duke Of That.
upsets ones cherished ideal as to what
aristocracy should be.
Beatrice Clauson, then, was very fair to-
and had what silly people call thorous
bred look. Fond as those amiable men,
uncles, were of the girl, she was doubly d.
to them because that look was indubital
owing to the Talbert strain of blood in
veins.
This morning she threw books, music, pal
ing, everything aside, and played with
new toy It was Saturday. The "Tabbie
who invariably went shopping together, W,
bound to Blacktown to buy groceries. BET
starting, Herbert found his way to Beat11
and asked her if she had any commission
be executed in the city. He discovered |
with flushed face and rumpled hair romI
with the child. He watched them with am
ment; then, going up stairs, found after a !
search in one of the attics, some antigua
battered toys, which five and thirty
ago had been dear to Horace and him
He carried them down stairs, and Beat
thanked him for the kindly thought and q
When, in few hours time, the brot
drove back with a wagonette full of
coffee, sugar, yellow soap, house fan
Bath stone, emery paper, or whatever /
was needful to make the wheels of no 1
hold management run smoothly, they fol
Beatrice still engrossed by her charge. n
did not say much to her. Saturday was1
busy day to think of anything save the
1dlIS VI tllO dOuoC, Clill oo Iid1lJ plCSlOuo
utes had been wasted in making inquiries
Blacktown station, the brothers were han
pressed for time-so hardly pressed d
when, about four o'clock, the curate call
they sent their apologies by Whitaker,
left their visitor to be entertained by d
Clauson.
The Rev. Sylvanus Mordle, whenj
thanked Heaven for the many blessings it !
bestowed upon him, always excepted the nd
he bore from the list. 1t was, he told hims
particularly terrible name-doubly SO wi
its owner was clergyman. He felt it II
provocative of laughter, if not of confer
Even as Howard, a Talbot, Montmore
or Plantagenet is called upon to live u
the great name he bears, Mr.. Mordle four =
incumbent on himself to endeavor to
away from his singular designation.
counterfeit the sinister effects of sue
name he felt compelled to affect an
Of cheerfu1ness even under the most tr]
circumstances which fully justify n
looking lugubrious. He considered
name a great drawback to him in
professional career. The gift which e
young clergyman fancies he possessed
preaching imprisoned sermons was Sd
shorn by his name. In this perverted
when puns are not considered signs of sd
depravity, Mr.. Mordle felt sure that ted
his eye-even the delivery of a pathetic
mon-would be fatal. The least lachryl
tendency in manner or words would pre-
too great temptation to be resisted by V
human nature; in spite of the best intent
the word "mordlng" must suggest itself.
A ~ oh ~
than one can choose a dark or fair S
but whilst the curate was willing to al
that the name of Mordle was an unavoid
congenital misfortune, its conjunction
Sylvanus he looked upon as a foul crime,
reyiled the godfathers and godmothers
had tackled such q soft-sounding appella}
on to Mordle.
On the principle of living it down, he }
always brisk and CHEEKY in his manner
was never too lot, never too cold, nevel
sunny, never tho windy for the Sylvi
Mordle. He preached almost merry sern
conveyed in short, incisive sentences, ra
out in a quick, decisive, e-beyond-d
way. His phrases followed one another
the detonations Of cracker. They SCI
designed to slap the listener on the b1
and hammer and hammer away at that
hardened receptacle, as if meaning by a d
Of repeated blows to enforce conviction
obedience. They were crisp, strong, musd
exhortations, eminently suited to the $, iri
needs Of the poorer parishioners. Only wi
he preached funeral sermon could Mr.. M
dies style be cavi1led at. On such an occas
he was bound to be doubly careful not to
his manner mixed up with his name, so Sol
times his discourse did not quite satisfy
bereft relations and grieving friends
But funeral Sermon was only due to
ceased member Of one of the families
position; moreover, Oakbury Is a healt
spot, and when an important death did oc,
the rector was usually In his place to do
duty. So the Rev. Sylvanus managed VI
well.
For the rest, he was man Of about thir
pleasant-looking and popular, not disdain
of the good things of this world, yet not h
kering after them-doing the whole work {
curate and three-fourths of that of rec
for one hundred and twenty pounds We
1t was lucky he had good constitution an
small fortune of his ownl
This afternoon Mr.. Mordle felt the 7
berts' excuses no slight to himself.
begged the brothers might not be disturb
He was quite content that Miss Claus
should entertain him tete-d-tete as long
possible. He inquired if any news had
rived about the missing mother; then, tn
ing his attention to the child, went throug
variety of those little actions which grown
people, rightly or wrongly, suppose ing
tiate children. Noticing how the pretty
chung to Beatrice he complimented her
her rapid conquest of his Affections &C
pliment in which Miss Clauson might hs
found deeper meaning lurking had
cared to look for it. He would have cal
much earlier to learn what had transpir
but had been compelled to attend fune
several miles off. He alluded to the mel
choly reason for his delay with as m,
cheerfulness as many people mention W
ding. -
"And where are your uncles?" he asked.
''In the housekeeper's ROOM" answer
Beatrice, demurely.
"Busy, of course-Saturday. Bad day
call. What are they about nowg'
As he jerked out his short sentene
Beatrice glanced at him and saw his e
twinkling. She could not help smiling.
''Well-what is it," asked Mr.. Mordle
The girl gave little gurgle of Taught
The curate once more repeated his question
ooh, Mr.. Mordle," said Beatrice, ''they
doing the clothes"
"Quite right; some one must do the
Now wonder" he continued in a more
Elective way than usual, 81 wonder if Il
look them out for the wash on Mondays"
ooh, no; not so bad as that. But did J
ever know anything SO funny2"
''Took you by surprise, of course?n said
curate briskly.
Uves had heard something. about IL