Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1886-04-16

tDfck is free man" SAID the Italian; .he
Is perfectly free. He can go with you or he
can come with me, just as he pleases un-
derstood that he had resolved to accept nv
offer, and to come with me- His portman-
teau is ready and packed as you see But
if he prefer"
II do not prefer; will go with you.
Go away, Calistal Repentance! Forgive
nessr'
"Then, Dick, if you must go, before you
do go | ask you for one simple act of ius-
tice. Write me a letter clearing Norah
altogether"
II won't, then! After Norahs conduct to
me-"
''Sir," said Calista, turning to the stran-
ger, you say that you are going to intro
d,,ce Dick to the society of gentlemen
do not quite understand how he is to take
his place among gentlemen, or what gentle
men will receive nm: but that is your con-
Germ. Will you kindly tell these gentlemen
that this man made love to girl whom he
had known all his life, and when she re-
fused him, charged her solemnly, and in
writing, with the crime which he had him
self committed l suppose you care moth
ing about his having stolen the thing HIM
self''-Calista, in the satiric vein, surprised
herself-but perhaps"
81 have forgiven him. young LADY, the
count in errupted, with smile. Il hav
anticipated your own kindness and his
fathers, and l have already forgiven him
''But, at least" she went on, regardless
ssyou may have manliness enough left q
blame him for accusing this innocent girl.
She is my sister, and once his friend. Viii
you join him in making all that girls futura
life iniserable2 1t is not enough that you
know, and know, and her lover knows, the
truth This wretched boy has left behind
him paper 10 which his father clnys as d
kind of last chance that his SCI il not guilty
after all
Dick laughed aloud, and Calista shud-
iered.
81 think" said the count, gravely. "that
Il were our young friend here, I should sit
Town and write letter withdrawing the
document in question"
"What's the good?" said Dick. ''Of course he
knows the truth by this time"
81 shoull write short letter, simply stating that
this young lady-who must be charming indeed to
have diverted friends attention FIR I'm his cards
IS perfectly tnncc mt. Our friend thus forgiven
by you mademoiselle, and by me-presumaby also
by father-and we hope by the young lady con-
cerned with himself In the matter, will embark
upon his career with clear conscience, such az
you English love to possess, and light heart and
an utter freedom from anxiety to inquiry by de-
tactives unpleasant messages"
mo one will inquire, am sure; no one will send
any detectives after him. think can promise that
As for the money, Dick Hugh sends me word that
Dick followed up, so to speak, a sort of prayer or
aspiration concerning the destruction of Hugh. But
he well aware that the repayment of the money
was about the best way of securing himself from
pursuit.
Come" said the count, ''wrfte my friend-write
this letter to the young lady, your old friend Take
the pan'
Dick sat at the table and I'm willingly obeyed.
Write. will tell you what to say"
go on, then"
".My dear mademoiselle, or my dear friend"
"Dear Calista' wrote Dick. 'There-I know very
well what say. Listen to this:
"DEAR CALIsTA: The paper which gave my father
about Norah was false from beginning to end. I
made 1t in order stop him from taking the
himself. thought that perhaps as he was SO fond
of Norah he would be staggered and let the thing
drop thought he would rather believe 1t was me
than believe it Norah And 1t lay between us.
Norah did not take the checks. Norah had nothing
to do with them nor had Daft. Norah presented one
of the checks for me- Daft presented one for me; and
If l ever meet that Office boy I'll wiring his neck.
You can do what you like with this letter Good-by.
"DIcK MuRRIDGE.'
There" he said, 'take and give that to my
father. Tell Norah didn't mean at first, to be hard
upon her. But it was either her me- And, be-
age. Tell her that don't want any forgiving
nonsense. Who cares about forgiveness? ALI that
want is to be left alone"
"Oh thank you, Dick" Calista received the letter
with softened eyes. "Norah forgves you
want her forgiveness not l am very glad found
you Now good-by!" She held out both hands.
"Oh, Dick.-poor Dicki-my brother Dick! be good
be honest. There Is nothing else in the world worth
! living for. Be good, Dick"