Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1886-01-08

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iinS froon, tho hn,,ss


ing from tbs house.
bowed gravely, but did III
His visits We're evidently
as did not clash with mine. [aeS
wardly to think that he had a rig BIT to w
Viola at any time; but l was too proud b
demonstrate. It was some comfort to NE
to hear Miss Rossiter occasionally remark
that they saw little or nothing Of Eustacs
now
Viola l1om mentioned his mama No
doubt, with woman's qu.czness, she uns
derstocd that it was distasteful to me,
Nevertheless. knew that she held her
guardian In the greatest esteem, and looked
forward to the time when we should be
friends. This l swore should never come.
Viola once my wife, ths acquaintance be-
tween her and this strong willed. attractive
man should cease.
As ] said, am indeed pitifuI hero
But if l saw nothing of Grant heard
from him. He wrote me. telling me he had
been informed by Miss Keith that or mar
riage was to take place very shortly. He
would be glad to know my intentions re-
speeding the settlement of her own small
fortune. There was peremptoriness about
the wording of the letter which nettled me
extremely. wrote back that it was quite
true we were to be married in few weeks
time, but that it was not my intention to
settle my wlfe's money upon her, The sum
was too paltry to trouble about, as it woula
be quite lost sight Of in the large post
npptlal settlement which proposed max
ing. If Mr.. Grant felt any doubt as to my
means he could make inquiries of my solicit
tor, who had nay instructions to answer all
his questions fully.
To this Iettar ho did mt rarfv. ,,,,4 I
heard that he made the inquiries, as sug-
gested. No doubt, in Viola's interest. he
was right in so doing; but liked him none
the more for the action.
Yes; Viola, overcome by my ln,pas-
stoned pray ers. had consented TO an almost
immediate marriage. There was, indeed.
no rea.on why we should wait day. She
loved me, and was willing to trust her
future in my hands. loved her, and
longed for the moment which would make
her ,gnfns forever, ,AoreoverI Hanged 20,
the atime te<comea,v zen migB tell her all.
&C asfss Sc irn4y II bat foolish deception
had practiced, and beg her forgiveness
not for mistrusting her, but her sex in
ger raj was sorely tempted to reveal
the true state of affairs without further de-
Jay; but Grants warning rose to my mind,
and Id ermined that, until the irrevocable
words were spoken, l would keep my
secret.
We were married in the quietest way
possible. Viola, it seemed to me, had no
bosom friends-no relatives who would be
mortified unless they were asked to the
wedding. The old spinster, who looked
very prim, and ready to apply her favorite
word. 'indecorous," to the whole proceed
ings; brother, as prim as herself, and one
trusted friend Of my own formed the wed.
ding guests Eustace Grant had been
asked to accompany us, but Viola told me
that for some reason or another, he had
excused himself At this she seemed greatly
vexed.
was also troubled by his refusal 1t
showed too plainly his feelings both to-
ward me and toward Viola
But he was in the church; he was there
even before was. As / walked up the
aisle caught glimpse of his strongly
marked profile. He was in far-of pew,
and was almost the only spectator of the