Mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado Co., Cal.) 1854-1860, 1860-02-18

sembed in the parlor, when Mrs. Lothrop an
nOunccd her intention Of returning home the
first of the ensuing week.
They all cntreated for longer visit, but
finding their entrcatics unavai,ing expressed
their regret; and then there was an embarraS-
sing pause.
Mrs. Ra;hburn waited cxpectantlv, too well
assured that her darling Edith would be the
favored one invited to accompany her home,
to feel any anxiety.
Edith was no less certain than her mother
Of being the lavnrite of the lady, and was COM
posing graceful sentence u acceptance OF the
anticipated invitation. Eva also looked con
sciou>. and t,y,d with her bracelets.
Annie only. hal no hopes no plans. Since
the night Of WiIIic's death, she had not cx-
changed more than two or three sentences with
Mrs. L"th,op, and She alone uttered no re-.
crrts at tie announced departure, OF entr,atr>
to remain longer.
Mrs. L"throp continued:
II believe Nou w,re - kind Mrs. Rlth.
htTrr aS-tt,-rr,.iai>e- that Oh If these Young
aides Shonld accom- any me home An
ME- turning to her, will yen do me the IA
vor to accompany me? will do everything
in my power to render YOUR visit pleasant
Can you be ready by Monday"
The young girl was too much astoniShcd
and bewillrr Il to reply.
Mrs. Rathhurn, white with rage and di>ap.
pointmcnt, made an excuse FIR leaving the
room. She was shortly followed by Edith and
Eva. The former burst into tears Of iralon>v
and Modification the moment she reached h,r
mothers room, while Eva gave free vent, in
words, to her indignation.
When alone With Annie. Mrs Lothrop
leaned over her and said arclv:
Come with me, my chill. and vii prove
to You that my umbrella is large enough. and
strong enough, and blue enough tn protect ynn
both now and always, if you viii Permit it {;
although" she continued, earn silly, 81 trust
yon have found the better me- looking in
qHiri"e3y into the Young girls eyes, and rra.
ing ariEht the S,reAe gauce that tod of n
heart at peace with its maker.
She resumed . cannot now fully cXpla n
~ Won the reasons for my strange cnnlurt du-
ring the time have known YOU; but when
You shall Understand them 1 think xnu-Mill
forgive me f~r all the unhappin, IS have di
rrct,y or Indirectly caused You. Suffice it to
say. that knew You instantly the first morn.
nS | saw You. from your strong res mb)anrc
tn Your fath,r. | followed Won few steps,
to introduce myself, when | arciirnt!y over
heard your words; and both the tone and
words revealed much to mc-mnrc than Won
-t(ouEht-and my plan was instantly drtcr.
mined upon.
They continued aconvcr>ation till it was in.
tcrruptrd 10y the arrival Of Mr. Krhwood. who
had been absent for few days
Mrs. Lnthrop met him in the library. After
informing him OF her near departure. She said
II fear You will be disappointed En>tace.
when you learn that Annie. instead Of Edith.
is to accompany me home.
\ glow Of nndSguised pleasure iumined
the gentleman face
am clad Of it, he replied, heartily
Mrs L"throp was astonisheh, for she had
believed him interested in Edith and She
looked at him inquiringlv.
| lie replied to the glance frankly.
t. 1t is true; cannot deny it. Annie, with
all her GOODNESS and reserve. interests me far
more deeply than Edith, with her beauty and
brilliancv.'
Mrs. Lothrop's face expressed her pleasure
at this avowal.
He continued 81 must confess to you,
: however. my dear aunt humi!iating as is the
t fact, that this young girl is ice So far as re-
CARDS myself 1t is evident she d>likcs me.
lee will thaw," replied Mrs. Lothrop. with
smile. You will have an opportunity al
. lakewood to endcavor to conquer this dislike.
Monday morning came" ami the three de-
parted. The carriage was watched from the
, windows till it disappeared from view, by Mrs
Rathhurn and her daughters, with feelings d
incxpresible jealousy and bitterness. They
Il; to themselves and each other, that they
} had been deceived and injured They felt Nc
gratitude for, or pleasure in, the cl, CANT and
= valuable gifts Mrs Lothrop had bestow ed upon
each Of them.
} In the new atmosphere Of love and kindness
in which she now lived, Annie gradually be-
came a different bcing-athough never the
CAV, lauShtcr-loving girl she would have been,
hal sorrow never touched her.
She never returned home. She became as
n daughter to Mrs Lothrop. aud only left her
} to become a near neighbor-thc mistress OF
the beautiful mansion adjoining, and the hap
py, honored bride Of Tu>tace kirkwood.
There is said tn h,. "manV n sin hptvccn