Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1889-12-20
HIS HEIRESS.

HIS HEIRESS.
Mr.. Cutnbert Candytuft left his native
Iand-which was not desolated by his de-
parture with the avowed intention of mar
rying an American heiress.
''Cuth, you see," his brother explained,
stravels on his shape, and he has right to
expect to marry money"
By which remark John Candytuft intended
to express his appreciation of his brothers
appearance.
John himself, being decidedly plain, had
sgone in for work" and married respect
able girl with red hair and freckles, who
could wash his clothes, cook dinners, and
save pennies.
He was getting on very well when Cuth-
bert arrived upon our shores, and, pending
the discovery of the heiress, accepted posi-
ton behind the counter of Glow, Twinkle &
Co., jewellers, dressed in the latest style.
He kept his eye upon the door, and saw in
every well dressed female customer his ex-
pected heiress Heiresses, however, are apt
to be already supplied with adorers, and al
though Cuthbert certainly contrived to have
few rather doubtful adventures, and was
once kicked down the steps of Fifth avenue
mansion by the irate parent of very young
and silly heiress much disposed to Irritation,
he had not yet met with that success which
warranted his worthy brother in enter tanning
any hope of return of the ''little loans, OF
which he kept a strict account in a marble
paper covered bank book, and which were t.
be paid after the heiress was fairly captured.
John, however, refused to lose faith in the
power of Cuthbert's beauty.
''You ought to see the girls look at him
Sallyl' he declared. ''And he looks like
prince or suthin' in his Sunday rigs. You'd
never think he was related to you and me-"
To which Sally, quite content with her
John, would reply, sententiously:
''Ah, Johnnie, ''ansome is as 'ansome
does.'n
The little loans had become quite large
sum, however, before Cuthbert found him
self in the way of confding to John that he
was Sin luck at last"
''She amt an heiress after all, " he said;
''but she's lots better-she's a widow with
money of her own. She's got more than she
knows what to do with She's come on from
Chicago to spend the winter with her aunt
''They do run rich in Chicago" said John.
''But do you think you've caught on, Cuth,
my boy?"
kouO 1OSU uOl al W Liz Cuo SGe
looked at me-" said Cuthbert. "And she's a
beauty herself-a sumner! None of your
ugly rich ones. You ought to see her, Johnr'
"Wen," said John, tits very satisfactory
Play your cards well, and don't go taking
airs ahead of time Why, even my Sally
wouldn't put up with any so long as the ring
wasn't on her finger yet. After the wedding,
you know, you can begin to show 'em who's
master, but not before"
''All right" said Cuthbert II believe
know what is what as well as any man,
''There, now, Sally" said John, after his
''Wait until it turns out SO, Johnnie" said
Sally. "Your brother is 'andsome, but he's
perfect fool. He'll make mess of it if he
can, beauty or no beauty
However, all seemed to be going well with
Cuthbert. The beautiful widow had given
him her card, had asked him to call upon
her, and he had called She had entertained
| him in a small back parlor very plainly fur
| nished.
''My aunt" she explained, sis not given to
| display. She is, perhaps, too economical;
| but she is very old OF course, while 1 am
| with her, submit; but the contrast between
these surroundings and my own luxurious
| home is very great"
| Cuthbert listened to all this with delight.
| His manner became more ardent. The aunt
| was too much of an invalid, so said her niece,
| to leave her room. When he called on the
| widow they had the little back parlor to them
| selves.
| He was at last as completely fascinated by
| the charms of the widow as he was by her
| wealth, and one evening went upon his knees
in the most approved dramatic manner and
| offered himself.
| When he arose he was accepted. The lady
| left her hand in his, and he sat beside her on
| the pudgy horsehair sofa, which was part of
| the invalid aunt's furniture, with his arm
| about the waist Of his betrothed
| "Only," said the widow, ''only don't men
| ton it at your establishment. l sha'n't tell
| my aunt am going to Europe for month
| or two, and when return you shall have me
| as soon as you please"
| "Oh" gasped Cuthbert, s'hangel!"
meanwhile" smiled the widow, ssecrecyl
| All the Gillifowers- poor dear husbands
| relatives-are furious with me because he
| left me his all, and if they could do anything
| to separate us they would, my Cuthbert."
| Of course, her Cuthbert promised to be
| silent as the grave His brother was a safe
confdant, and he did not mention the affair
| to old Mr. Glow, young Mr.. Twinkle OF any
| of his fellow clerks
| Meanwhile Mrs. Gillifower was often tt
| be seen in that establishment, where she had
| ordered a beautiful set of diamonds.
| 81 shall, you know" she confded to Mr.,
| Glow, ''be presented to the queen when l am
| IN England, and l want to do my country
| justice"
''She's splendid woman" MIR. Glow said
"and I wish we had forty such customers"
The day arrived on which the diamonds
were to be delivered. At noontide Mrs. Gill
flower stepped from carriage and entered
tie store. Mr. Candytuft rushed forward tc
| open the door, Mr. Glow bowed behind the
counter, Mr.. Twinkle few to get the cases in
which the jewelsreposed, and Mrs. Gillifower
| seated herself before the counter.
| She pronounced the earrings ssweet," the
| necklace gorgeous" the bracelets ''lovely,
| the pin 'sperfect," a buckle that made part
| Elegant then she put her hand into the
| pocket Of her sealskin sack, and uttered G
| shrek.
sWhat is the matter?" cried the establish
| ment in chorus.
Mrs. Gillifower appeared as if about tx
| faint.
"My pocket" she crizd. ga thief has cu1
| my pocket out-the money is gone. had il
| all in cash. foolish creature that was. ine-
| In my pocket. There was crowd on the
! pavement of my aunt's house listening to one
| of those horrid organs, and remember that
a man brushed very rudely against me. The
money is gone!"
| The establishment was frozen with horror
| Suddenly Mrs. Gillifower burst into laugh.
ut isn't the money; that is nothing to me- u