Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1892-12-02

ga fool an her money is soon parted"
remarked Aunt Rubina, sententiously.
"Says she loves the ole place and is
bou1d to keep it from goin' to strang-
ers," observed Cousin Melissa Brooke.
The rural population OF Pineyville
township were mostly all either Stu5ble
fields or Brookes, or connected with
them by marriage.
"An' she's a-goin' to bring Reub's
widder an children from the city to live
with her."
Uncle Peltiah looked amused.
Zine livin' it'll be in that old ram
sbackle of house" he chuckled.
"Amarantb allus was hard-headed,"
groaned Aunt Rubina, who was a stout
woman with large habby face and blue
eyes, with white eyelashes. "But l
wash my hands of 'em. If she wants to
saddle herself with Reub's family, she
needn't look to me for help"
'It's my 'pinion Sylvester Smalley will
hev somethin' to say about it, smirked
Cousin Melissa, with a crafty look.
Aud so the gossiping tongues wagged
on, aud all because Amaranth Brooke
chose to invest the few hundred dollars
bequeathed to her by distant relative
in buying back the old homestead, where
she had frolicked away her childhood
days in care-free happiness.
But Amaranth gave little heed to their
meddlesome gossip. She had fought
her own battles since the death of Grand
father Brooke left her alone aud unpro-
tected, with little or no assistance from
the relatives who were noS so free with
their advice and unfriendly criticisms,
and she was determined to manage her
affairs in her own way.
Bnt in regard TO Sylvester Smallcy the
case was different. He was her be
trothed lover, and would of course eX-
pect to be consulted in her affairs. And
Sylvester did have something to say, as
Cousin Melissa had predicted.
Amsranth had been lookiAg over her
prospective purchase, and was on her
way home, when he overlook her and at
once broached the subject.
ssNo use to throw your money away
on that old rubbishy place, he told her.
..You can't raise crop there, an l
wouldn't take it as gift. An your
money. with what little I've got, would
build us a nice, snug house on that forty
acres father give me, an help to stock
the farm besides. Tnen we could be
married an go right to housekeeping.
Will you, Amaranthl'
lie looked at her teuderly, and for a
moment Amaranth felt almost tempted
to give up her plans and ambitions and
accept his offer.
Tney were lettering slowly homeward
aud had paused at the old stile, where a
scsrIet-aowered trumpet-vine showered
its gorgeous trophies at their feet.
"Say yesl" urged Sylvester.
And Amaranth felt her determination
weakening.
"But-but there's brother Reuben's
wife and the chiIdrenI" she faltered.
"Tbey are quite destitute, and have no
ope-to look to but me"
Sylvester frowned.
"Let Reub's wife look out for her
selfl' he returned grufiy. 81 dare say
tber'. orphan 'syIums in the city where
the young uns would be took care Of"
Arananth's eyes flashed scornfully at
him as she drew herself up with OFFENDED
dignity.
"Brother Reuben's children shall
never 90 to the asylum while l livei" she
declared Indignantly.
After few more words their troth
was broken. Sylvester stalked mOo'.i.J
on his way, while Amarautb, with a
pang OF sore disappointment at her