Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1890-10-31

small, and not likely to help him material
ly toward raising the two thousand dol
lars odd which he needed to make up his
payment. Still she was a customer prob
ably, and his face from habit assumed the
customary tradesman's smile as he said:
''Good morning, Miss Vincent; what can
show you?"
"Well, Pm not wanting much, Mr.. Fen
ton" said the spinster in voice of high
pitch, though I believe / make most of
my purchases Of dry goods of you"
''Then you must be wonderfully sparing
in your wants." thought the shopkeeper;
but he only said: ri am glad to hear it. We
are ready to sell anything from silk dress
pattern to spool OF cotton"
"That is just what came in for" said
Miss Vincent.
''The silk dress pattern? What shade
will YOU look at?'
t'No, don't mean that It's a spool CT
cotton I want"
IT think I can supply you"
Miss Vincent after a while found spool
of cotton to suit her, and paid for it, man
aging to be one penny short.
eth bring in the other penny next time, -
she said
said the merchant, knowing that she
would take care never to think of it again.
"Oh, yes it is. I am very particular
about such matters. Just remind me next
time [ am ms
eff 1 should, ten to one she wouldn't
have the money!" thought Mr. Fenton.
F'No; I think I'll leave it to you to re
member it if you really insist upon it. u
hot ha ca 6jfTapantlU
MANY cases are our thoughts from our
words.
'.How is Mrs Fenton?" inquired Miss
pocket Of her dress.
''She is quite well, thank you"
81 am glad to hear it. Health is great
blessing. i was afraid she might be il
poor health"
''In poor health? What should make
YOU think SOP" demanded Mr.. Fenton, sur
prised. ''Do you think she looks ill?"
''No,n said Miss Vincent hesitatingly
''Idon't think helooks ILL., Quite the con
trary; indeed I think ] have never seen
her looking better or more cheerful"
$50 think. Why then should you feal
that she was in poor health? confess
am puzzled to make out your meaning"
planning myself really would rather not
DO So" and Miss Vincent lowered her head
and spoke in depreciation.
''I1xcuse your explaining yourself! You
don't mean to say there is Ii mystery IN the
natter" said Mr.. Fenton, his voice tinged
in the slightest degree by uDeasiness.
fOh, dear no, of course not" said Miss
Vincent appearing confused. "Not thf
T 7 toll
very foolishly What fine day it is!''
There was something about Miss Vim
cents manner which seemed to indicate
| that there was something concealed, and
this conclusion Mr.. Fenton drew
| Miss Vincent,' he said, you evidently
| had some reason for saying what you die
| say, whether it was foolish Or otherwise
AS my wife's health is a matter of serious
| Importance to me I must insist that you
tell me your reason for speaking as you
did,
Don't think Of 1t for g moment, Mr.
| Fenton. It's nothing, / assure you-quite
trifie, in short, not worth mentioning"
"But l insist upon hearing it," said the
shoplzeeper impatiently.
"Will you oblige me by telling me al
L.
'Then If you positively insist" said Miss
Vincent, ~ must tell you, though you will
probably laugh at me. l thought Mrs
Fenton might be indisposed on account OF
| her going every morning to the residence
of DR.. I'ompkins."
'Going every morning to the residence
Of DIR. Tonlpkins!" repeated Mr.. Fenton.
81 don't know what you mean"
fGVo,, Joptt I,,5r cold Mice V;noo,f
| her eyes sparkling little in anticipation
| of the effect her news was likely to pro
| duce.
"No, | thiak you must be mistaken"
But am not. Mr.. Fanton. | see Mrs.
reruon pass our house every morning, an1
past our side window I have-quite by &C
| cident, assure you-seen her, for severa-
mornings running, enter the house of DR.
| Tompkins.''
did you notice how long she stayedf'
asked Mr.. Fenton, beginning to feel dc
| cidedly queer.
''From two to three hours" said Miss
Vincent. Yesterday morning she stayed
two hours and thirty-five minutes by our
clock"
Mr.. Fenton was getting decidedly jeal
Gus, Or he might have wondered at the
accuracy with which his wife's call had
been timed.
"At what time does she go there?" he
asked quickly.
cat about O'clock"
"Do you think she is there now?"
eyes, saw her go there just before
came away" said Miss Vincent. But
really I thought You knew all about it.
It's little mystery of your wife's prob
oh u md Oh lya1x
pleasure the mental disturbance upon the
face of the shopkeeper "But really l
have stayed longer than l intended.
must be going"
Hell go over TO the doctor's,' thought
Miss Vincent '.rll see if he don't /
wonder if they'll fight? l shouldn't won
Well, it's none Of my business, that's q
comfort What sight of troubles mar
ried life brings with it, to be sure!'
Miss Vincent might congratulate herself,
such being the fact, that she was never
likely to experience any Of the troubles in
cident to that state in life, for it is very
much to be doubted whether there was
any one, having once seen her vinegar
visage, who would have ventHred to form
matrimonial plans having her for their
object.
Miss Vincent was right She soon had
the satisfaction of seeing Mr. Fenton pass
her house hurrfedly On his way to the
house of DR.. Tompkins
II wish I could see them meet" thought
Miss Vincent. 81 wonder whether she'll
faint, or what he'll say"
Miss Vincent could not crafty her
praiseworthy curiosity, but we fortunate
ly can Go So Before Mr.. Fenton's arrival
we will examine the interior of a room on
the second floor of the doctors house.
4 woman neatly but plainly dressed
stood before an easel, on which rested a
picture of large size, now nearly completed.
1t was evidently, even to an unartistic
eye, painting of rare merit, and the art-
ist' eye gloWed with interest as she gave 9