Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1859-09-14

endship-Scarcely that.
She, however, fancied that he was interest
ed in her-nay, that he was desperately en-
amored of her charms, and did not dream that
he sought for heart, not beauty-for mind, not
wealth.
s'How long did they occupy here 2" asked
Robert Southey.
ssOh,till she was seventh fact, that picture
was taken the year my uncle died. There
was a great time about the will. and when she
found that twas really in favor OF my father,
the widow left the house and went out West,
where she had resided till within few years.
When they came back again, father offered
them home, but they refused. To tell the
truth, was not sorry, for thought my cousin
was gawky. How could i: be otherwise p
no boarding school privileges. 1 suppose her
mother has been her teacher, but dear me,
she can't know much.''
Robert Southey glanced at he speaker with
look she could not have relished, had she
noticed it. Fortunately her eyes were cast
down.
ssDo let us change the subject" said Eu-
gene, with little start of impatlence--sswhat
did you think of Guardaline last night ?
Wasn't he superb? positively adored him
for the time, mean.''
Robert Southey seemed quite Indifferent
whether she adored him for the time for
all time, and replied to her arch look with a
quiet, almost co1temptuous smile.
ssThe Barber of Sevlle,' is 1 think the
most charming of operas, "continued Eugene,
''don't you ?''
'sOn the contrary, / dislike it the most,''
replied Robert Southey.
s'Oh, is it possible {? Why everybody goes
in raptures over it, replied Eugene.
81 don't agree with everybody them" he
said quietly. 81 have but little sympathy
with every body.''
She looked as if she did not know how to
sob "a
see his eyes again wandering to the portrait.
ss1'll take it down and burn it, she angrly
calculated to herself.
After few more common-places, Robert
Southey took his leave.
He walked about until it was quite twilight,
and then remembering an errand in another
part of the city, he retracted his steps. Was
it his guardian angel that prompted him
He had nearly reached the place towards
which his steps were bent, when he felt light
touch on his arm. He looked down. There
was the face of the portrait, only more mature
much sweeter in expression. His heart
beat it had never beat before.
ssMay ask your protection ~ said sweet
voice-sssome one has followed me and spo-
ken to me more than once, and II the lip
trembled, the eloquent eyes swan in tears.
s:Certanly l will protect you,'' said Robert,
drawing her hand within his arm-ssand as to
that scoundrel over there, know him-he
should be chastised as he deserves. He will
be before long if he is not careful.''
The man met his eye and skulked along
back street. 1t was Mosely, the keeper of the
slop shop.
ssI should not have been out alone at such
an hour, but my mother needed medicine"
she said, as they walked along. The fair girl
trembled excessively.
They moved rapidly away, till they came to
the miserable building where lived Annie and
har tt,a- N,x... Al.a
young man ascended the steps and opened the
door for her. There were loud and disagreea-
bic sounds up stairs, the entry was dark, and
poor Annie stood hesitatng.
"They are very noisy and quarrelsome,
some of the families in the roomS,' she said,
timidly.
ssStop a moment" calculated Robert South
ey. And he knocked quickly at one of the
doors. ssLend me light to show this young
lady up stairs,'' he said to the woman who ap-
peared.
The occupant of the room hurried to light
another candle. As she gave it to him he
placed piece of money in her hand which
she was nothing 10th to take-and desiring
Annie to follow him, the young man went as
far as she directed. The door of the great
garnet stood open, and Annie's mother, with
strange giadness in her face, looked out to-
wards Annie, as she came up the stairs.
s.Thank this gentleman, mother, for his
kindness in protecting me from INSULT" said
Annie, gently. .sBut left you sick 20
ss1 am WELL now,'' exclaimed the excited
widow, ssand here is what has cured me.'' She
held folded paper in her hand. ssThe will
that WAS lost !--the will that Lawyer CrandalL
and other witnesses knew he made, is here in
my hand Itis dated year later than the
one his brother has! Annie, my child, thank
God with me-thank God 20
They had gone into the neat little garrett
,pI paI F,lD
The latter made no apology-he felt acquaint-
ed with the circumstances and told them so.
Annie's face was radant-it was the picture
quickened into beautiful life-the same in
nocence of expression, the same spiritual
lovelineSs.
ssAnnie, you know how sacredly / have
kept this little Bible since your fathers death,''
said Mrs. Bartlett; ssonly in times of peculiar
joy or affliction reading from its sacred pages,
because it was the one your father used in his
private devotions. One day when he was i'll,
but not yet sick enough to be confined to his
bed, he asked me for piece of green baize. l
brought it to him and went Somewhere-I for
get where. When L returned, the Bible was
covered. 1 asked him what he had covered it
for, and he replied with smile, sfor you.'
l thought he referred to the possible event of
his death and it made me sad. After that he
was struck with complete paralysi ,and neither
spoke nor moved. Once before when thought
to be very sick, and under the influence of
his brothers. stronger mind, he made the will
in which Mr.. Bartlett now holds our lawful
rights. He had strange fear of his brother
i never knew why he could always control
my poor husband. To-day, after Annie went
out, got his Bible and read it, lying upon the
bed. As opened it, thought the cover felt
strangely slippery, and curiosity led. me to
push it hither and thither, until felt sure
there was paper underneath it. unpasted
the baize, and there. folded carefully across
the back of the sacred word, was the will.
o praise Heaven? We are poor no longer"