Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1886-02-26
sTAUNTON, VIRGINIA. FRIDAY. FEBRUARY 26. 1886.

of the fresh air either. A Kind Oh sensing
seems to come over me for the London SUNK.
I'm hcmesick already for the sooe OF my
happy childhood and my own dear native
mud. The air here is too thin for me, and
the sky too clear; and--oh, LerTis-~hen
you're used to the roar of tho trHsic-the
buses and the cabs and what nSt--the
silence in these parts is downright aTfui I'll
wish YOU good evening, miss and Sd lack to
London 81 ess IA
Isabel turned to Moody with diappoint-
ment plainly expressed in her face and man
ner. f&
is that all he has to says" she asked.
You told me he could help us. You led me
to'suppose he could find the guilty person"
Z. Sharon heard her. Il could name the
guilty person. he answered, ''as easily, miss,
as could name you"
why don't you do it, thens" Isabel in
quired, not very patiently.
Because the times not ripe for it yet
miss-thats one reason. Because, if men-
toned the thief's name, as things are now.
you, Miss Isabel, would think Il ies'; and
YOU would foil Mr. Afaedy y heleafess him
out of his money-JhaJs another reason
The matter in train, if you will only wait a
little longer"
$50 you say" Isabel rejoined IF you
really could name the thief, | believe you
would do it now"
She turned away with frown on her
pretty face Old Sharon followed her.
Even his coarse sensibilities appeared to feel
the irresistible ascendency of beauty and
youth.
Il sayp' he began. I'VE must part friends,
YOU know, or shall break my heart over it.
They have got milk at the farm house. Do
you think they have got pen, ink and paper,
too2"
Isabel answered, without turning to look
at him, ''Of course they have"
'sAnd bit of soaling-wax?'
II dare say"
Old Sharon laid his dirty claws on her
shoulder, and forced her to face him as the
best means OF shaking them Off
Come along!' he said Il am going to
pacify you with some information in writ
ing"
s.Why should you write it?" Isabel asked.
suspiciously.
because I mean to make my own condi-
tions, my dear, before let you into the
secret
In ten minutes more they were all three in
The farm house parlor. NOBODY but the
[ farmer wife was at home. The good wo-
man trembled from head to foot at the sight
of Old Sharon. In all her harmless Life she
had never yet seen humanity under the as
pect In which it was now presen led 10 her.
isMercy preserve U.S. miss!' she whispered to
Isabel, show come you to be in such COM
uany as tlatH' Instructed by Isabel. she
produced the necessary materials for writing
and sealing, and, that done, she shrank away
to the door, Please to excuse me, miss. "
she said. with last Mortified look at her ven
cradle visitor: Il really can't stand the sight
of such blot of dirt as that in my nice,
C can parlor" With these words she disap-
peared, and was seen no more
Perfectly Indifferent to his reception, Old
Sharon wrote, inclosed what he had written
in an envelope and sealed it lin the absence
of ANYTHING better fitted for his purpose
wi h tn mouthpiece of his pipe.
'.Now, miss, he said you give me your
word of honor"-he stopped and looked round
at Moody, with a grin-''and you give ME
yours, that you won't either of you break the
seal on this envelope till the expiration of
one week from the present day. These are
the conditions, Miss Isabel on which Ill
give you your information. If you stop to
dispute with me, the candles alight and I'll
burn the letter."
1t was useless to contend with him Isabel
and Moody gave him the promise that he
required He handed The S ale envelope to
Isabel with low bow "Whan the week S
out" he said ''you will own I'm cleverer
fellow than you think me now Wish you
good evening, miss. Come along Puggy
Farewell to the horrid, clean coun ~, and
tack again to the nice London stink"
He mold d to Moody-he leered at Isabel
he chuckled to himself-he left the farm
house.