Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1890-12-17
ALL Is FAIR IN LOVE.

Click, click, the sharp needles of the De-
cember snowstorm we're rattling against the
easements of old Mrs. Naples farm house;
patter, patter, the last dead leaves of the
old sycamore tree drifted down upon the
doorstone.
It was an old, old house, and Mrs. Maple
was an old, old woman. But you will some
times find tufts of snowy blossoms bursting
from age-linched apple trees, and sprays of
greenery on the boughs of century-old oak
trees; and 30 it happened that Minny Ma
pie, the ancient crone's great granddaugh-
ter, was the bud and blossom of her worn
out life.
Old Mrs. Maple owned houses and land
and had money out at interest; but she was
a shrewd old lady and liked to keep her af-
fairs in her own hands. And pretty Minny,
albeit an heiress in prospective, taught the
district school and took care of the farm
dairy out of hours.
1t won't hurt her to work for her living
if she is to be rich one of these days, said
Mrs. Maple. I worked when was girl
And upon this dreary December night
Mrs; Naples knitting needles cleaned like
steely lightning in the freight; and her
beside her, mending tabecloths, while ever
and anon big drop would plash down up
on the darned spots like glistening glob-
ule of dew.
But, grandmother, why? burst out Min
ny at last, with blue eyes lifted up like for
get me nots drenched in rain, to the old
lady's parchment-like face.
Because say so, said old Mrs. Maple
And the fire cracked, and the snow clicked
softly against the window panes, and the
knitting needles made zigzags of light as
they flew back and forth.
But you say yourself, grandmother, that
he's young man, pleaded Minny.
Old Mrs. Maple nodded.
without bad habit ia the world?'
And again Mrs. Naples nodded like a
Chinese mandarin in collection of curiosi-
ties.
'And forehanded with his farms'
For the third time Mrs. Maple nodded.
Then, grandmother, why won't you con.
sent to our marriage?' urged the girl.
Child said Mrs. Maple, turning her
spectacle glasses full upon Minny's sweet,
flower like face. I've told you why half
hundred times. Its because great grand.
father Maple and bis great grandfather were
mortal enemies. Because your grandfath.
er's last words upon his deathbed were: i
leave my soul to heaven, my money to my
dear wife, and my everlasting enmity to
| Job Croftonp
'But, grandmother said Minny, with a
shudder, that was very wicked! And sure
| ly, the shadow of tombstone should be a
reconcil ation?'
Old Mrs. Maple shook her white head.
| Your grandfather was very vindictive
man, Minny,' said she; I never disobeyed
him living, and l will never disobey him
deadp
| But grandmother, coaxed Minny, witt
her fresh cheek against the old lady's hand
he wouldn't know it. How could hep
Child, child, your Grandfather Maple
knew everything said the old lady, with 6
sudden superstitious glance over her lef
shoulder. as something seemed to rustic al
the easement. 'And l do believe his ghos
would haunt ne if 1 didn't give good heet
to his last words. No, No; Gilbert Crof
ton can never be your husband, and yor
may as we'll give up the idea first as last
| Aud Minny Maple cried herself to sleeI
that night.
'For never, never can marry him with
out Grandmother Naples CONSENT sh,
sobbed. 'Pll stay single, until the day o
my death; but never can disobey the kint
old soul who has taken mothers place te
me and brought me up from baby
But the uext night there was an apple
bee at Deacon Dangerfield's, and Minny
Maple was there. Gilbert Crofton did moi
make his appearance until late.
;Gilbert, said the little tiancee, who sal
reproachfuIly amid a crimson avalanche oi
apples, what makes you so late?'
I've been busy said Gilbert. But new
or mind so long as I'm in time for the Vir
gipia reel
And they walked home together through
the snowdrifts, talking happily of wha
might be if only Grandmother Naples ada
mantine heart could be softened.
But, late though it was, with the ole
clock on the stroke Of one, there was . ligh'