The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1860-03-08

They all entreatcd for a longer visi
but, finding their entrcatics unavai,in.
expressed their regret and then thcr
was an embarrassing pause
Mrs. Rathburn waited cypcc.an,1y
too we'll assured that her darling Edit
would be the favored one invited to ae
company her home, to feel any anxiety.
Edith was not less certain than lie
mother Of being tho favoritc OF the lady
and was composing a graceful scntenc
OF acceptance of the an,ici pated invita-
ton. Eva also looked conscious, ane
toyed with her bracelets.
Annie, only, had no hopes, no plans
Since the night of Willie's dc th, sh,
had not exchanged moro than two o.
three sentences with Mrs Lothrop, anc
she alone uttered no regrets at the an
nounccd departure, or entrea'ies t<
''11rs Mrs. ir""afTs r"tf:op continued:
~ believe you were SO kind, Mrs
kathb1rn, as to promise that one OF these
young Indies should accompany me home:
Annic,' turning to her "will you do me
the favor to accompany me? | will DC
everything In my power to render your
VISIT pleasant. Can you be ready by
Monday %
The young girl was too much aston
'shed and bewidered to reply.
Mrs. Rathburn, white with rage and
disappointment, made an excuse for leav
ing the room. She was shortly followed
by Edith and Eva. The former burs.
into tears Of jealousy and modification
! the moment she reached her mother s
room, while Eva gave free vent, in words,
to her indignation.
| When alone with Annie, Mrs. Lothrop
leaned over her, and said arci!y:
Come with me my child, aud will
prove to you that my umbrella is large
enough, and stron: enough, and blue
enough, to protect you, both now and
always, You will permit it; although
She continued, earnestly, IL trust you
have found the better one p looking in-
Inirlng'y into the young girl's eyes, aud
reading Alright the serene glance that
told or heart at peace with its maker
She resumed: II cannot now fully
explain to yo1 the reasons Of my strange
condnct during the time | have known
you; but when you shall understand
them, think you will forgive me for all
the unhappincs> have directly or indi.
rcc;ly caused you. Suffice it to say that
| knew you the first mo.nin. | saw you,
from your strong resemblance to YOUR
father. | followed yru few steps, to
introduce myself, when | accidentally
overheard your words and both the tone
and the words revealed much to me-
more than You tAon4h,-and my plan
was determined uron.'
They continued in conversation till it
was interrupted b, the arrival of Mr.
h'rkwood, who had been absent for IL
After informing him o. her near depart
urc, n. said:
Il fear you will be disappointed,
Eustace, when you learn that Aune. in-
stead Of Edith, is to accompany me
home
A glow Of undisgn'scd pleasure illum-
mated the gentleman face.
. am glad of it, he replied heartily
Mrs. Lothrop was astoui>hej, for she
had believed him interested in Edith !;
and she looked at him inquirin-ly
lie replied to the glance frankly
1t is true; cannot deny it. Annie
with all her co'dness and reserve, inter
ests me far more deeply than Edith with
her beauty and briliiancy."
Mrs. Lothrop's face expressed her
pleasure at this avowa
lie continued: Il must confess to you,
however, my dear aunt, humlliating as is
the fact, that this young girl is ice so far
as regards myself. 1t is very evident
she dislikcs nc"
Ice will ,haw,' rcpli d Mrs. 10th
rop, with smile You will have an
opportuni at Oakwood to cndcayor to
conquer this dislike"
Monday morning came, and the three
departed. The carriage was watched
from the windows till it disappeared from
view, by ) rs Rathbutn aud her dau .ht.
ers, with feelings of jealousy and bitter
ness. They said to themselves and each
other, that they had been deceived and
injured. They felt no gratitude tor, or
pleasure in, the elegant and valuable
gifts Mrs. Lothrop had bestowed upon
each Of them.
In the new atmosphere Of love and
kindness in which she now lived, Annie
gradually became different being
although never the gay, laughtcr-loving
girl she would have been, had sorrow
never touched her.
! She never returned home She became
as daughter TO Mrs Lothrop, and only
left her to become a near neiyhbor-the
mistress of the beautiful mansio. adioin.
ing, and the happy, honorcd bride Of
Eustace Klrkwood.