Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1896-01-01

he thinks wife would be better econo-
my. But we can wait, Paul and /. We
will wait. %
And then they ran up alongside the
tall, spectral cylinder Of the lighthouse,
for the tide was high and landing was
comparatively easy, and Muriel .sprang
lightly out of the boat, looking up at
the fiery eye i'll the lantern above.
"Give me the bag and the basket,
Tommy, y said she. STEADY with the
boat now! I'll he back in one minute y
So the orange glow had burned down
into deep red radiance, and the dusk
shadows off the New Years eve were
creeping over all the CLASSY surface of
the sea.
Aunt Dora was at home. In fact,
Aunt Dora never was anywhere else.
Her own society, little as other people
cared for it, was all sufficient for her.
self.
"Oh, it's you, is it?" said Aunt Dora,
as unconcerned as if she lived on dry
land and was in the habit of seeing
company every hour in the day. She
was darning stockings by her own espe-
cial little lamp, and the teapot already
simmered on the hob for her tea "Any-
thing the matter? Because I couldn't
leave the light if it was ever so''-
"No, nothing is the matter,'' said
Muriel. 81 have brought you note
from my mother. Something about the
pattern Of bedquilt, believe. And
some chickens and apples and bag of
fresh hickory nuts"
Aunt Dora read the note once, twice,
three times over. Then she regarded
Mnriel in sinister fashion from under
her thick, black brows, while the girl
played unconsciously with the cat.
"Humph!' said she. eyes, I'll go
and get the patternr'
She was gone some time-half an
hour, at least, as it seemed to Muriel,
and when she came bach, the girl start
ed up.
cit is nearly dark" she said. "I
must make haste home.
swell you needn't be in such fur
ry'' said Aunt Dora, with grim
chI sslAle. slAle I've sent the pattern by Tom
my Jenkins. He's hair way to shore by
this time
Muriel uttered little shrek.
"And how am to get homer" she
cried
"You amt to get home at all, :" said
Aunt Dora. "You'r to stay and spend
the New Year with me. That's what
your mother said in her note"
"But shall not' p exclaimed Muriel,
stamping her foot vehemently. 81 must
go homel Iexpect company tomorrow.
''Sit down and be easy-do!" said
Aunt Dora "Must is for the king. I'd
like to knew how on earth you're to get
home, with only one boat at the steps,
and that padlocked tight, with the key
snug at the bottom Of my pocketP'
And Aunt Dora laughed hard, dis
sonant laugh that was like the croak Of
raven.
For a moment Muriel gazed wildly
around like newly Gagged bird, then
she burst into tears and sobs.
''It is all a stratagem Of mother p
she cried. wringing her hands. II
might have known it'll I might have
known it!''
And that night at the White Reefs
lighthouse, with the melancholy sea
tapping the foot CT the tower and the
wind whistling around the steady glow
Of the beacon, was the dreariest that
Muriel ever spent in her life.
"You amt good company tonight"
said Aunt Dora, glancing at her niece
ever and anon between the stitches of
her darning.
because you have deceived <mep
cried Muriel. "You and motherP'
"Humph'' p said Aunt Dora. cts all
for your own good. You II thank us one
of these days. Girls oughtn't to have
their own way.
But Muriel only wept on and refused
to be comforted.
She went down to the foot of the
tower, the next day, and sat there, her
cloak wrapped about her shoulders, list
lessly gazing out on the sparkling floor
Of the deep.
''Is that boat coming?" she asked
herself. "With one man in it? Is it
coming here, wonder?"
Nearer and nearer came the boat,
rocking liehtly on the surface of the
waves, and presently Muriel started up,
with cry of joy.
For it was Paul Clifton waving his
hand to her, as he came ever nearer and
nearer.
ga happy New Year, sweet MurielP'
he called out, as the boat touched the
stone steps. "Iam the enchanted knight
come to rescue you from the prison tow
er!'
elbow did you know I was here?"
said Muriel, with sparkling eyes and
velvety cheeks dyed with crimson.
"Your mother was entirely noncom-
INITIAL" said Clifton gayly. 81 could
learn nothing whatsoever from her ex-
cept that you were we'll and were not
receiving company. But Twas fortunate
enough to meet Tommy Jenkins, who,
for the consideration Of silver quarter,
ignominiously turned states evidence.
And here I am, my sweetheartl Will
you come with me?"
"Of course / WILL" said Muriel,
springing lightly into the boat. but
where?'
s'To be married, said Mr.. Paul Cliff
ton. 'It is high time that this system
of tyranny was broken up. My little
Muriel must be mine and mine alone
henceforward. Do you not agree with
me?''
And Muriel answered:
Eyes
Aunt Dora got to the window just III
time to shrek an Intellectual summons
to the pair in the fast receding boat.
cts no use, said Aunt Do "a, draw
ing long breath "When girl IS III
love, she is neither to hold nor to bind.
I've done the best I could. Mehitable
can t blame me p
Two hours later Muriel walked into
the old brown roofed house on the shore'
leaning Oh Paul Cli-tnn's. arm.
"Mcther, said she to the amazed
Mrs Vane. who fully believed that she
was "dreeing her weird" in the solitary
lighthouse tower, II am married! Ana
this is my husband. Will You forgive
..1oo.ao Ilor r o,,, VOW enrV laD-