Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1892-08-05
A MODERN MARTYR,

yours, ttilu WutA llttu DetSS6u lily Uu1TCy-
sixth birthday the serene outlook promised
that would be engaged to him fifteen
more. He was three years my senior,
stout, rather fair, with an ugly, charming
face, the kindest heart in the world and a
strong, energetic will At least it seemed
to be energetic in every direction except
the way that led to marriage
Not that / ever doubted the love of my
Lotus, nor his fealty, but could not
understand why he seemed SO blissfully
content in being my lover-just my lover.
No one could fill the role more perfectly,
and his devotion was SO established and SO
constantly apparent in even the slightest
detail that every one in Pimley, where we
had grown up together, blamed me for
LOTUS probation, and l was openly re-
preached for dilly dallying with so honest
a man and SO true lover. could not
consistently inform the public at large,
and my censors in particular, that how
ever well deposed woman may be she
cannot marry the man of her choice until
ne asks her to name the day, and this pre-
liminary my betrothed had studiously
avoided.
Time of course brought about many
other marriages in our immediate circle.
AL LILY UICUuGlS t1lO SlolCIS WcIb Oll LII
regular order until there were left with
my father Tom, my youngest BROTHER and
myself. After awhile Tom went on the
road" for Boston commercial house, and
finally was offered chance in new branch
of the same concern just started in Denver.
To my surprise father not only urged his
acceptance of the offer, but expressed a
strong desire to go with him and remain a
year or two.
"Dell won't want to leave LOTUS" he
remarked, land anyway they'll be married
before long, l suppose" This had been a
Der of years. "We could go by way of Chi
cago and see Uncle Eb and the folks. It's
a trip I've always longed to take"
listened to these words and felt them as
if they had been blows of clenched hand,
but the pride by which an angel fell was
strong in me, as it is in many of the world s
commonplace and everyday women. bit
my lips to keep them from trembling as l
said, Wouldn't it be lovely; such an al
together new life and experience"
EYES," said father lightly, and I loved.
oh, how loved him for that speech, "but
it won't be such good fun without my
daughter. If she could only come-if there
WASH ally QucSbloH VI Gudb OCncr fellow
that can't spare herr
In moment had made up my mind.
but am going with you if yon go''
said, smiling. what did you think? OF
course need not stay. I can come back
and be married, or LOTUS can come to
Denver if we like it well enough to settle
there. You see, there's no time set for the
marriage and year or two won't make
much difference"
am afraid there may have been touch
of sarcasm in my tone, but it passed un-
noticed.
"Why, that's it," said Tom briskly.
Time goes on, and people might as well
have change from the old rut. We can
shut up the house here indefinitely. We
can find some one to keep the grounds in
order. What's to stop us from a picnic of
threes"
l felt in my own mind vague idea,
rather hope, that LOTUS might, or per
haps desire to, make 1t a picnic of four.
That afternoon when he came spoke,
He usually stopped on the porch every
afternoon on his way home except Tues
days-his bowling club-and Fridays,
which were given to poor little Eunice
Craig, who had been for years an invalid.
thought it one of the loveliest traits in
his character, this kindness to one so weak
and suffering. OF course we all went to
see Eunice occasionally, all of the ''old
crowd" both married and single, but
LOTUS was her anchor and standby, and
the feeling with which he was regarded in
the Craig household was little short of
worship. Twas never jealous of the time
he gave to Eunice. 1t made me love him
all the more. Well, when he sauntered
up the walk about and took his seat near
me in his favorite big rocker preached
the Denver project with much promptness
and gayety. He had begun to swing my
hammock gently and continued to swing it,
''But you're not in earnest, really, are
you, Dell9" he asked at last was dying
to get sight of his face. but couldn't
without sitting up.
"Of course Pm in earnest" responded
readily. "Tom and father are in earnest;
why shouldn't l be?"
''But Tom and your father haven't-me
Ito think Of"
"You great baby" answered, laughing,
II won't stay longer than a year."
"You might see some fellow you would
like BETTER" said LOTUS forlornly.
sob, think Pm too old now to change
my mind" ! was beginning to be q little
amused at his resigned yet wretched man
per.
81 don't know that women ever get too
old to change their minds" said LOTUS in
the same reproachful tone.
"Do men ever get old enough to make
up theirs2" was on the point of my tongue
to ask, but ! had never been sharp with
Lotus, and it seemed a poor time to
begin.
''You could come and see me once or
twice." ! suggested. "It'a a delightful
trip"
lawfully expensive, dear" said this ex-
asperating man.
well, if ! pay your way out you can
surely pay it back" said, laughing; but
LOTUS did not laugh.
81 mightn't want to come back" he said
gently. Then there was a long silence and
the hammock went on swinging. Had
ever woman such an aggrayating lover
and one so dearly loyable?
This was the beginning of many such
discussions. We kept perfect friendliness
while opposing each other on every point,
and our talk always ended where it began.
He demanded no sacrifice, but, on the
other hand, he offered none. felt that
was only responsible to LOTUS in SO far as
desired his happiness. And 50 the day came,
The still, beautiful October day, and LOTUS
walked to the train with us and waved us