Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1886-07-16
said Sue, fippantly, land swing In ham
mock three hours day at least.'

said Sue, 1ippantly, land swing in ham
mock three hours day at least.''
''Sue! Sue!" came the voice from the
library. ''Daughter!" said her mamma, q
pale, shrinking lady in white wrapper
and pretty embroidery breakfast cap
NOW don't get in passion, dearest doc
tor; let Susie see the telegram. Oh, my
dear, I fear something terrible has hap
pened. had sort of presentiment; you
know I was telling you doctor"
s'Fiddlesticks with your presentim ents! ;
roared the doctor, red-faced old gentle.
man with a lot OF blue black hair that
stood up from his forehead like porcupine
bristles. Something terrible indeed, some.
! thing disgraceful, something dish6nora-
BILE, something that brings my gray hairs
| in sorrow TO the grave" The doctor had
not white lock in his head, but his
meaning was apparent, If his language
was fgurative. Il always said John was
a sentimental, tennis-playing idiot. New
er let me hear of tennis courts again.
I would not give cent for the Whole of
the present generation. That w.etched
college, with the professors and their fam
! lily life-family life indeed I knew John
Z, was good-tor- naught, spoiled by his
mother out Of all conscience, but to have
! disgraved himself, his family, all of US i
not that consider him in the least to
blame. He was always the most punctil-
ious, the most strictly honorable, Quixotic
creature. 1t was the woman, of course.
She is twenty years older than he."
/ "No. papa,'' from Susie; ''she's just
nineteen
81 know what am talking about. All
college bellies are twenty years older than
! the men they elope with; and he was 30
( trusting and confding! The unhappy.
hot-heated creature! to think he has de-
ceiYed this splendid, beautiful, wealthy
girl under my roof Why, almost felt
like not sanctioning the engagement, be-
cause, taking place here, it look as if I
man covered for it. l manBuverer.-
Great Caesar!
Hush, papa!" said Sue clasping his arm
as he franctically tore up and down the
room. "Gjve me the message"
YALE COLLEGE, Sept. 25, 1885,.
! "Johr Lane and lady will arrive at 7
P. M. Meet with carriage at station.
Prepare supper aud rooms.
! E. SNEED.
''Oh. mamma! it is true, then, he is
married; and if at Y ale, to that Peters.
What shall we do! Poor Florence! she is
devoted to him. It will kill her. Oh,
Jack! Jack! and to that scrubby girl
Don't let them come here. mamma! I'll
telegraph.
"No; he shall come here,'' cried Jack 9
mother. cts terrible, but the poor dear
trusts and loves me. See, the telegram is
to me, and you can't expect me. doctor''
turning with some violence on the al
most insane father-''even you can't ex-
pect me to side against my only boy I
have on earth"
''Come here?" said the doctor. almost
Gained by the excess of passion in his
bond-slave. "Of course he's coming here;
I he's got no other place to go. He hasn't
married fifty thousand year, has hep
But the question is, who will break it to
that splendid creature? can't tell her;
can't tell her: by Jove can't. You 60,
Sue, and break it to her. Give her hint
You women are clever enough at inveig-
| ling''-with glare at wife and daughter
that made the very cap strings palpitate
sTell her he's dead, and then that he is
married; that will ease her down bit"
"Oh. don't say such thing of my poor
darling!'' cried his mamma. instantly
summoning up the image of the recreant
John calm and beautiful in death.
"What's all this commotion about?"
cried fresh young voice. "Something
about Jack, ism it? Why what ails you
all? He-is-not-dead-is he?"
"Y esq said the doctoy, nodding vio-
lently. the appropriateness of his sugges-
ton almost stunning him; dead and
buried. Oh no, my DEAR" as he saw the
light die out of the proud, prettey face.
'sThat's my way of breaking it to you.
He's-he's tell her, Sue, he's married. He
is coming here. of all places, with his
bride tonight, in few hours, and, of all
people, that beggarly Peters daughter,
who is twenty years older than he is, and
not dime to bless herself. Don't tell me
she's not twenty years older then he, Mrs
Lane; know these college bellies. She is
twenty years older if she is day, and"
Read the telegram yourself, Florence"
said Sue, through her tears.
The heroine stepped to the window and
stood in the recess for five minutes, her
back to the other three. "Well?" she
said, presently:
"Well2" re-echoed the trio, hanging on
her words.
stHe has been entrapped," said Flor
ence, looking tall and stern. Il blame her
entirely. She made him do it. I always
said she was the most man@uvering, de-
ceitful- Oh, my poor JACKIE cried the
heroine, in burst of bitter weeping.
II hear the carriage coming up tie ave-
nue., Florence" said Sue. in low voice
as she tapped at the door at seven O'Clock.
"Why, Florence, you are perfectly lovely,
all in white like bride, and with your
diamonds on. What lovely color in
your cheeks. too! Oh dear what made
him do it?"