Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1892-10-21


happy thatit was quite u long time before
the demon of suspicion was able to force
ali entrance into her joyous young heart.
She heard innumcrable references to her
uncle's wealth. She heard II great deal of
laughing commen, ON his evident ;ulmira-
ton Of her friend Kate O'IIura She saw
Kate blush brightly and look pleased
when her companions rallied her and pre-
tended 10 hum the music Of ''Aw!d EoLia
Gray and finally she received confirma-
ton strong that her uncle was not going
to remain Il bachelor long, when Kate,
something between smiles and tears one
day embodied her in warm embrace and
asked her how she would like to call her
''aunty."
''Then it is really true!" exclaimed Jen-
ny. "Oh, you darling! am t.elightedp'
"And it will really make no difference?''
asked Katie anxiously. ''Oh, Jenny, dear,
if it will, net even all my love for Mr..
North will induce me to bring shadow
on your life!''
"How, dear Kate? l don't know what
you mean. l tell you | am delighted!
Uncle Join is far too good and noble to
go through life minated and unloved
only to grow into u crusty old bachelor ut
the last. Nothing in my life, except when
Clement told me he loved me, has given
me such pleasure as to know that you love
Uncle John and that you have promised
to marry him"
"And Clement? But of course he loves
you, Jepny, darling, for yourself, but
Therese is SO rladly in love with him her
self, and somehow hearing every one speak
of his admiration for hcr-;lnd she is SO
beautiful, you know-and of the fortune
you would inherit from your uncle, just
allowed myself TO worry over things, but
it's all nonsense"
elements admiration for Therese?"
said Jenny slowly, and Kate saw with dis
may that every vestige of the bright pome-
granate red had faded from the round
brown check and a strange, haggard look
had come over the features, making the
sweet face of Jenny Wren look very old
and pinched, almost as if age and grief had
fallen ON ler.all in Il moment
"Of. course he ;.dmires heri He ALWAYS
did! Who doesn't? And no one more than
do!' she said, with sudden self assertion,
and the color came back to her face and
she chatted gayly. but could never remem-
Der one word of what she had said nor
just when Kate had kissed her goodby and
gone awE? But after a while she realized
that she was alone. Her hands, tightly
twisted together dropped into her lap and
her head bent above them, while subuued
convulsive sohs shook her Slight form and
scalding tears fell from her burning eyes
"He loves Therese, and he lnarries me to
gain my uncle's money!"
This was the thought which scared her
heart and brain us again and again it beat
itself out to the measure of these bitter
words.
Yes, she could no longer doubt it. Some
such thought had tried oforce itself upon
her many, many times before, but she
would net listen. Now she must listen,
for Kate. who loved her, and who had
thought that she ought to know what
others had said, in order that she might
prove it false, had told her in plainest
words just what they said. And now
hundred things came back to her, the
meaning of which she would not before see
Or understand, and she remembered the
looks of open admiration bestowed on her
rival, and the latter's mingled looks of
scorn and triumph at her Clements too
evident perfidy.
But | will know the TRUTH" she said
aloud In clear and thrilling voice.
And in that moment Jenny Wren seemed
to fly away, and a deep, steady light shone
in her large eyes-a light that spread all
over her face-and she looked the enbodi-
ment of her pure name, the star of the
north-the mariners star.
Clement, do you love me? That love you
there's no need for me to say. But must be
loved for myself alone. 1t is said and believed
that you love Therese. If it is true, love you
enough to give you to her-yes, enough to give
you to each ather only ask the truth. My
| uncle. whose heir was supposed to be. will
loon be married to a woman who loves him
truly, and am indeed as poor and unpretend-
ing as the little bird whose plume my girl
friends have bestowed on me. But the man
'9ho marrics me must take me for myself
llone it is my only pride. And to him am,
now and always, ETOILE NORTH.
She sent her letter by Il special messen-
yer, and within al hour her lover was ut
her feet. 1t was like other love, quarrels,
where there was nothing to quarrel about,
! and when it was over the little brown girl
was Jenny Wren agaiIa..
But do you admire her, CLEMENT" she
said with Il happy laugh. Il have seen
you look at her-oh, as if you adored herp'
VERY likely. look SO at pictures and
statues. Poets and artists have that privi
lege; but l love you, my own little girl,
and that makes all the difference"
And Jenny Wren was satisfied Blanche
Myrtle in Kansas City Times.
Walking on the Water.
Iii r, ato,h oc keat, I'D