Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1889-10-25

liz IOOh up d hullo anu Dcs5oh SuoCihs, @
fresh slice of ham, and his hearer, struck by
his confident air wondered whether trick
were being played: ''He wants to try u.s."
thought Martin, che never would be SO jolly
and contented if he had not a cent in the
world We have been idiots!"
Muttering some evasive reply to his uncles
last words, he slipped out Of the room and
fastened to tell his mother and sister what his
suspicious were. In few minutes the three
returned to the sitting room with smiling
faces and profuse apologies for their absence,
the women saying that household matters
had detained them.
''You have had nothing to eat, brother"
said the widow, opening the pantry and
bringing out the leg of lamb, "why has not
Julienne attended to her duty? Clemence,
where is the tart you made for your uncle"
In another minute they were all partaking
of a generous meal and talking merrily.
The visitor looked admirngly at his pretty
niece and said: "You are the image of your
father, my poor George. Though | have
never seen you before, my dear, have
heard great deal about you"
sFrom whom?" she asked in surprise, and
at that moment voice behind her exclaim-
ing "Ciemenceln made her start up and Look.
round her. 1t was only the parrot, who was
perching on the back of her chair.
"Clemence Mauvaire," it said solemnly.
ssWho taught it her name?" asked the
mother.
Uncle Bruno answered: "Jako learned it
from young man who happened to be on
the ship with us coming over. He was a ma
tive of Ormondville."
'Was it Mark?' cried the girl.
''That is his name, my dear. He is coming
home determined to settle himself in life; he
talked great deal about you"
''Then he has not forgotten me" thought
the girl, with bright blush overspreading
her face.
81 have something for you, sister, said the
sailor, "but am afraid there will be sad
nessn-
at is about poor Didier!' murmured the
widow, with mothers quick perception.
"You are right" he said; 81 CHANGED to be
on the coast of India where he was wrecked,
and I found the spot where they had buried
him with some others. planted bush on
the grave"
''Oh, thank you, Brother!" said the mother,
tearfully.
''Then learned that his watch was i'll the
possession Of one of those miserable Lascars,
SO I hunted him up and gave him all had
Tor 1t, and mere IL Is.
He put an old silver watch into her hands,
and she, recognizing it as her sons, pressed it
to her lips and sobbed softly. The others
wiped their eyes, and Uncle Bruno hurriedly
drank glass of cider to hide his emotion. A
long talk followed, and although the Maui
vaires found that their first impressions had
been correct-their relative having returned
to his home absolutely as poor as he had left
lxo+o
were dictated by pure affection instead of by
policy, as before.
Martin having left the room for a minute,
came hurrying back to ask his uncle what he
would sell the monkey for.
''Sell Rochambeau?" cried the old man.
"Why, 1 raised him myself and he has
always been my companion. He loves me de-
votedly and shall never have another mas
ter Who wants him2'
The young man replied, with disappointed
air. that the count was passing and took such
= fancy to the funny animal that he told
Martin to find out the price and bring it up
to the chateau.
''Tell him it is not for sale," said the uncle,
lighting his pipe.
SIT is very unfortunate" said Martin,
wistfully, ''for he said that he wanted to see
me about the position-and your refusal will
put him in such bad humor."
The uncle, on hearing what this position
was, said: "Then I give you the monkey,
Martin, and you can do what you like with
him. Now go at once, before the count
changes his mind"
An hour later the young man returned
and delightedly recounted how he had OBJ
tanned the position at good salary.
sit is all your doing, Bruno" said the
widow; show thankful we are that you came
home!'
''Why, brought you nothing but two
useless brutes," he answered, with a twinkle
in his eye.
But Clemence put her arms about his neck,
and laying her pink cheek against his
bronzed one whispered softly: dearest
uncle, you have given to each of us price
less treasure-to my brother work, to my
mother "a remembrance and to me-a hope"
Adapted for The Epoch from the French
Of Emil Souvestre by Isabel Smithson.