Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1891-01-16

heart softened toward her as womens do
to crying babies. What dear little thing
she wasl he thought. What shame that
fate should have used her SO! 1t seemed
his duty to take care of her.
sob, hang it'll I'll get job'on Monday"
he said; ''and everybody tells. me that it is
as easy for two to live as QUE. I'll do it."
Then he turned to the girl and said:
Circumstances alter cases. It's queer
kind of courtship. but l like you. l guess
you could like me if you tried. Will you
marry me? I'll get work on Monday, Pm
sure. Pve got half dollar. Come to the
minister with me, and be married and PH
take care of you after this"
What the girl said was:
"Oh, my Why, never heard of such
thing. What would people say?"
"People will not know-it's our own
business. think you'll make d good wife"
returned ST. 'sYou need taking care of the
worst way. Think about it."
He left her alone and walked up ard
down. She looked at him-and ST was
handsome. He looked at her, and thought
again that she was the sweetest little thing
he had ever seen. Eesmiled, and really,
she smiled too. He went back and sat
down beside her.
"Guess We'll go to the minister" he said.
"Well, you don't know the least thing
about me-" she said, "and can't see how
you can like me enough"
II can't see either" he admitted, "but
do like you better than ever liked any
other girl"
81 feel that way to you," she said.
And then they walked to the house of
the old minister, who was willing to take
his fee in thanks and give them his bless
ing into the bargain.
And ST and Annie were husband and wife,
On Monday ST Collins went forth to
search for work, rather more anxiously
than before, and I am sorry to say he
found none.
He remained away all day and returned
home in very low spirits.
Annie had prepared supper. She had
cooked two red behring's at Mrs. Romey's
fire. and set the candle stand with cloth,
on which she had placed two wooden pie
plates and two tin cups The bread was
sliced nicely and drawing of tea' had
been made in a pitcher.
The room was tidy, the window shone,
and Annie looked happy.
ST began to be cheerful again.
'To be sure | have not had luck today,
but it will come Tomorrow" he said, as
he sat down to supper.
Annie looked very pretty on the other
side of the tiny table.
eff only man could be sure of good
living" ST thought, she would be much
happier married than single"
After tea Annie cleared away the things,
and ST went out on the staircase with his
pipe while she did So He believed that
women disliked smoke, but knew that
xxro111l oHr ho foo
AS he sat there, wondering where he
should go to look for work the next day, a
gentleman came stumbling up the dark
stairs.
s'I am looking for Mr. ST Collins" he
said.
"That's my NAME" said ST.
"You are married man. sir?" asked the
gentleman.
''Yes, sir" said ST. "Pve been married
about two days, if that will do"
"Ah-you are the right man, and it's
your wife want" said the gentleman.
Sis heart sank.
"What do you want her for?" he asked,
thinking only OF misfortune.
ITO ask few questions" said the gen.
tleman.
1--WE have very small quarters" said ST;
"but come in"
He pushed open the door of the tiny room,
but before ne could speak Annie ran for
ward with outstretched hands.
"Mr. Cummingsl" she cried.
eyes, Mr.. Cummings, ANNIE" said the
gentleman. "Ive been looking for you for
six months. l really began to believe you
dead, when met an old friend of mine, q
clergyman, and happening to speak of my
fruitless mission, he told me that he had
married young lady of your name on
Saturday. Farewell is not a common
name, though Annie is and as the Rev.
Mr. barrow had learned your husbands
place of residence, came here to see if the
bride were by any chance my lost heiress.
find that she is"
'An heiress!" cried Annie.
sYes, my DEAR" said Mr.. Cummings.
"Your stepmother represented you as hav-
ing been sent to boarding school, and it
was only on taking the property in charge
again at her death, which occurred six
months ago, that we discovered how you
had been used. You should have come at
once to your fathers lawyers. The rights
of your stepmother in the property ended
with her life. And though she gave good
deal of cash to her second husband, you
are still very rich, and have only to take
pOSSeSSloH VI your property III regular
form"
SIT is like Dream" said Annie "I am
glad papa did not forget me; that was the
worst thought had to bear"
'And 1 shouldn't wonder if this fortune
were acceptable just now," said Mr.. Cum
mings, as he took his leave.
But ST stood silent after he had gone,
and his face was very grave At last he
said:
"Well, Annie, are you sorry that you
married me now? had no idea 1 was
fortune hunter"
ISL" cried Annie, 81 should be lying
dead if it were not for you. Or if I had
been saved and sent to prison, perhaps Mr.
Cummings never would have found me.
1t all came about because you were SO gen.
erous to poor little me, whom most men
would have suspected of being very
wicked girl; and all my life shall spend
in trying to repay you Sorry? Oh, no, ST.
Already, though l have been your wife
such a little while, I care great deal more
for ycI than | could for any fortune, and
we shall be so happy on the old place, With
plenty to live upon"
They were.-Family Story Paper.
Lead in Laces.