Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1862-02-19

was lne sweetest, pfeIIleSI, UlOSJ AONdDAS
girl N all Hartford So that when John
came in went and sat down by him in a
cosy corner, and left Aunt Katherine to
entertain Mr.. DevereuX--a plan which /
thought at first seemed to suit all around.
/ But after a little time l saw John cast
/ ing uneasy glances toward where MIR. De
vereux, looking superbly handsome, sat
talking with my aunt.
''You needn't be jealous of him; John, y
said; ''he is only my teacher"
! John started and leaned back in his
seat without saying a word.
Neither of the gentlemen stayed very
/ late, John going away directly after Mr..
Devereux, and went to my room elat-
ed with my prosperity, or rather the pros
perity of my plans.
/ did not need assistance in my studies
before Mr.. Devereux came again, and af-
ter a short time it came to be regular
thing for him to spend an evening once
or twice week with us. With us, l say,
because l could see that, though he ad-
mired my Aunt Katherine very much, he
had too good taste to monopolize her COM
pany entirely, to the exclusion of mine.
enjoyed these evenings very much. 1t
seemed to me that Mr.. DevereuX grew re-
markably agreeable very fast. Sometimes
John would come in, but John seemed TO
have grown strange and moody of late
I thought it was because Mr.. Devereux
was at our house so much, and endeayor-
ed to please him by eXtrd attention when
he did spend an evening wiz us, out II
didn't seem TO be of much use. L resent
ed his silence and inattention TO me one
night, and after that he didn't come near
us for nearly a month. But we seemed to
get along just as well without him-at
least | did, though Aunt Katherine asked
me number of times about the cause of
his absence.
He is sully. suppose. Don't fret
about me, Aunt Katherine, it don't trouble
me at all, l said.
a few evenings after, John made his
appearance, and entered the parlor where
Mr.. Devereux and l sat playing chess,
while my Aunt was writing a letter at a
side table. | thought it would be rather
awkward for him at first, but he came for
ward easily, and after speaking to Mr. De
vereuX and myself, crossed the room and
seated himself by my aunt. Pleased with
this arrangement, | devoted myself to my
game, and did not look around for some
half hour afterward, when my attention
was attracted by the sound of John Au-
brey's voice, which, though low was re-
markably earnest and emphatic. | turn
ed my head and gazed in wonder. Ny
aunt's cheeks were flushed crimson, and
Johns face, as seen by me for an instant,
was pale and agitated. | turned to Mr.
Devereux in astonishment, but he only
smiled slightly, made move, and then
waited for me TO do the same. But
could not play from the excitement, caus-
ed by the scene | had observed the mo-
ment before, and lost the game through
inattention.
Shall we play again?" said Mr. Dever-
eux
l shook my head, and he replaced the
pieces in a box, and then took up a book.
The next moment John arose, and nv
aunt went with him to the door. She did
not come back for some time, and when
she did, Mr.. Devereux was preparing TO
go. He looked up quickly at her entrance,
and then asked laughingly, if it was ami
cably settled, and if he might congratu-
late her? She blushed, but said. ''Yes. at
night. | stood by in round-eyed wonder
and bewilderment.
When the door closed on him my aunt
looked steadily at me a moment, then
laughed, and finally burst into hysteric
tears. | was frightened. She put her
arms about me.
'.Addie, are you sure you didn't like
John?" she asked.
81 believe did little last winter, but
don't at all now"
Are YOU sure?'
''Quite sure" replied, che is so sui
len. -
''Wait do you know who you are talk
ing to-"
''What do you mean, Aunt Katherine?"
Il am John Aubrey's betrothed wife,
Addie," and she laughed, and then cried
again.
stood mutely staring at her. At last
1 found words to say:
''Why, aunt Katherine, 1 thought it
was whom John was in love withw
She shook her head.
''And l thought Mr.. Devereux was in
love with.you."
You must ask him about that" she
said, smiling through her tears.
And did ask him the next evening
while we stood by an open window, and
my Aunt Katherine sat by John Aubrey
in the cosey corner where used to sit
with him.
rs it possible that you haven't been
courting Aunt Katherine all this time,
Mr.. Devereux 90 l said.
How he laughed
''Is it possible that you don't know that
l have been courting you all this time ?'
Mr.. Devereux !" | exclaimed.
l, when promised a year later to "loYe,
honor and obey him" through life.
John Aubrey and my Aunt Katharine
were married at the same time, which my
aunt declared was a great saving of troub-
lie and wedding-cake