Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1888-09-28

''Nows' YOUR time to tafR to Cfypurne I'll
such dnd such a fproject;" and his clerks
whispered: "How queer Mr.. Clyburne seems!
Wonder if he's going to die9"
One intimate friend, a venturesome fellow,
had the hardihood to say:
"What the mischief has come over you
lately? I never knew you to be SO genial.
Whom have you 1eeced this week."
"Oh. I've got such rich thing On Obed
Jenness!" replied Clyburne. chuckling to
himself for the thousandth time. ''Didn't
cost me anything but little advice-cheapest
thing in the world, you know. He can't get
ahead of me on this scorei"
The friend didn't mention this to any but
ten of his most intimate friends, and as they
were equally secretive it did not take long to
set every man on 'Change to slyly watching
Obed Jennnes. They naturally supposed
that Clyburne referred to things financial,
not matrimonial.
Bertha visited Daisy quite often about that
time, and Mr.. Clyburne lost no chance Of
publicly insisting that Bertha must send for
her "things" and remain the rest of the week
with Daisy.
One morning, during a visit, servant
came to Mr.. Clyburne as he sat at breakfast
and tremblingly said
"Mass' Clyburne, sab, Miss Daisy amt in
her room, sahl'
''Noa Gone for walk, suppose"
"I-Ts feared not, sab. An'-an' Miss
Bertha done gone too"
''They'n probably be here soon. Keep
some coffee hot for them"
"B-but, sab, Mary she say as how de beds
amt ben slep' in"
'tNeither of themg' asked Mr.. Clyburne, a
little anqi
"N-no, sab; an yur's a note Mary foun'
in Miss Daisy's room," added the man, hand
ing a tiny envelope to his master, but stand
ing as far from him as the width of the silver
salver and the extent of his long arm would
permit.
Mr.. Clyburne opened the note calmly; he
suspected that he knew what was in it; he
merely glanced at the first lines:
Darling Papa-This to tell you that Mr..
Palmer is about to act on your advice; Bertha
and 1 are to meet him at DR.. -s at II
o'clock tonight, for we think it best to have
a friendly witness to such matter"
"Ha, ha, hal" laughed he heartily, to the
surprise and delight of the alarmed servant
81 understand it now. Miss Daisy will be
home pretty soon, but it is not necessary to
give any hint Of this little affair to your mis-
Uf6SS. one has d severe uodudcu9 dlQ IL WILL
only worry her. Send Mary here"
Mary quickly appeared, for Silas Clyburne
was terror to evil doors, and she, too, was
cautioned to silence and her fears all allayed.
Silent! Yes, truly they would be very
silent, especially when each of them received
$50 bill with the remark, 'Ill give you as
much more if you will ever again bring me
such good news"
y l, 30 II, h.
on his way down town, show best to break
the news to my dear friend Obed! Ha, ha,
ha! How he will rage and fu1ne! Wonder
what I'd best say. Guess I'll just hand him
Daisy's note to me and watch his face while
he reads it. By the way, I haven't read it
all myself"
Drawing the note from his pocket he be-
gan to read: "sAt DR.. IS UNI, I've read
that, UNI, UNI such deed, and who can be
better one than cousin? Bertha goes home
tonight Oh, pshaw, then the fun is over.
But what is thiss Il go with my husband
Why, why, what-'Your loving daughter,
soon to be Daisy Palmerr Am 1 crazy?"
No, he was not crazy. In his greed to
work mischief to his enemy he had not
allowed his daughter to explain that it was
she, not Bertha, with whom Osborne Palmer
was in love. He jumped to the conclusion
that she was referring to Bertha all the time,
and, 10! he had done as the wicked often do;
he had himself fallen into the pit that he had
so carefully digged for another.
elf I am fooled, old Obed shall not know
it; I'd not give him that satisfaction" was
his decision.
But though he put brave face on the
matter, no one was deceived, and he knew it.
They whispered to one another and won
dered "where is the little game he was to
play on his enemy?'
Of course Daisy's husband, in Daisy's eyes,
is far too precious to risk his life in opening
any more of papas possible bombs, SO Mr..
Clyhurne is again in search of such deputy. |
New York Graphic.