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

what Annie wished and intended Tor she
knew that jealous eyes were watching him,
and felt no willingness for his sake to under
90 fresh annoyances.
Meanwhile, the days Of Mrs Lothrop's visit
were passing. Mrs. Rath6urn was pcrplrAed
beyond measure that she could discover moth
ing of that lady's intentions.
Nothing further had been said Of either Of
the young ladies accompanying her. Her fu.
turc heiress could not be coniectured
With due delicacy and tact she had condo
ed with Mrs. Lothrop on her disappointment
in losing her destined heir. and limited that
perhaps she found Mr. Kiikwcod worthy Of
supplying his place. She had endravored also
20 sound her concerning her opinion of Edt'
and Eva, but perverSe Mrs. L"throp would
not DC sounded. She fi>tcncd-if not assent
ingly, certainly not dis>entngly-tO the fond
mothers asset tons respecting the sweetness
and atfectionateneSs Of EditlS disposition
the superiority Of Eva'S intellect over that Of
other girls Of her age; but whether shc pre-.
ferred sweetness of disposition 10 supcii Iity
of intellect, batlled all Mrs Rathburns ingc-
nuitv to find out She confessed to herself
that Mrs. Lothrop was truly peculiar woman
more so than she had cXpccted-an enigma
that could not be made out.
.
Kirkwood's sentiments and intentions toward
Edith. That he admired her was evident
He rode, walked and sung with her, and was
ever ready to attend to her, yet there was not
quite the empressment Of m1nner she could
have wished-she sometimes imagined even
less than there had been at first She feared, too.
he had made an impression on her daughter
heart She had noticed an anxiety to please
him in her dress and actions; that she blu>hel
on seeing him at any time suddenly; aud
adept as she was in art, showed ill-conccaled
pique, if he admired any other lady than her
self
The mothers highest ambition would bc
gratifed could she see her daughter united tc
him. His fortune position, person, manners,
public and private character. were far beyond
her most Sangnine expectations of what Eiith's
husband would possess. All that art or tao
could do should be done TO attain the dceiict
end.
-M Mrs. Rathburn was Graiiiicd at the intcreS!
Mrs. Lothrop began to take in Willie, She
often entered the nurSIrv quit familiar ~ caUt
even Mr.. kilkwood occasionally went in
sometimes staying long enough to read or re
late n story to the invalid boy; at others, just
stopping to offer some book, toy or fruit.
Poor Annie was not particularly pleased n
finding her place Of refuge thus invaded anC
their coming was usu1ity- the signal for hei
departure.
One dav she entered the nursery in haste
and carrying plate Of sweetmcatS for Willie
The moment that she crossed the thrcshhrl,
the change in her aspect was striking. Al
GOODNESS vanished. Her whole face was chang
cd into perfect living beauty, by the expires
sion Of solici,ude and tenderness it wore
Bending over " lille, she kissed him foIltiit
and said
"IIo~ is my darling now? Is the Pain Al
gone! did not mean to leave him so lorg
but Ediths dress could not be completed TO
the party tonight, unless assisted and ma
mas hcad-dresS had 10 be altered. But see
have brought something nice, and after yor
cat it. will tell YOU beautiful
She paused abruptly, perceivinC, for the frs
time, Mrs. Lothrop, seated near the door thru
which she had entered.
In an instant Annie was her usual self again
She saluted the lady politely, but coldy, ant
then spoke again to Willie; but the tender
hearted boy was grieved and frightened at tn
tone, so different from what it was momcn
before; and looking up tearfully in her face
asked
Am naughty, sister Annie:'
"No, Willir," she replied, co|dlv. at til
same time gently, but decidedly, putting ava.
Lilly, who was trying to climb into her lap.
1t was not without some reason that Ami
rclapscd into silence and GOODNESS in Mrs. Lo
thropS presence.
Annie was lot &C jealous disp '>it;on-sh
expected so little, poor child! and she was St
accustomed to see her sisters preferred before
herself in every way at homc-but the differ
cnce in the treatment Of herself and her gay
beautiful sisters by Mrs. Lothrop, was to-
marked for her not TO perceive and feel. Sh'
was not unused to neglect hut this seemed T.
verge upon dislike; and fr,m her father:
friend it was harder to bear.
Mrs. Lothrup could not be said to show al
fiction for Edith and Eva but she di>tin
guiShed them by much notice, and Sought t
draw out their ideas and opinions upon every
possible subject. But Annie she seldom no
ticed in any way 1t seemed like dream t
the young girl-thc kind tones>of Mrs Lo
throp's voice, the morning she had first seer
her but then she knew her not-ha1 neve
seen her more brilliant and attractive sisters
had never heard Of the unlovcd and unlovely
Annie.
And the young girl encased herself NOR,
strongly in her armor Of indifference.
But her greatest misfortune was coming. II
arrived.
Willie awoke one morning, apparently bet
ter and brighter than usual; and before NIGH
he slept in death!
The grief of the family was great. Annie
alone was calm and fearless during all thai
dreadful day. Once only her lip quivcrcd-
when the dear eyes darkcning to the light O.
earth, vainly sought 20 behold her, and tn,
faint voice gaspcd with difficulty :
where's Annie want Annie"
She bent over him, saying something un'
heard by Others, but which bI ought an angel,
smile to the countenance of the dying child. -
She wiped the death dews from his fair fore
head, and held the little hand till the life beat
ceased then, still calm, she Strengthened the
limbs, closed the blue eyes which had been
wont to meet hers SO lovingly, and folded tn,
pale hands over the Stied heart
Even in her great Sorrow-for she had loved
her boy-MrS. Rathburn forgot not to reproacl
Annie for her utter want of frchng-that She
had not tear for the darling child who had
loved her SO dearly. And Annie heard hcr
with an immovahle countenance.
1t was after the household had retired that
the young girl sought, alone, the chamber Of
death and then and there, the long pent up
agony burst forth-oh what an agony Of re-
gret-for the lost one, as the recollection Of his
loneliness, his hundred endearing ways, his
childish prattle, came over her
With her present sorrow mingled the mem
ory of the past-all bitterness save this one
drop of sweet-all darkness, save this one ray
of light, now extinguished and looming up,
with too Well-drtined diStinctnCSS, was the flu.