Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1864-05-21
knew how, all that Agnes would do if she
were there instead Of ne.

Mrs Renton did not answer Immediately
she wcpt silently, but don't think there
was any bitterness in her tears. Bye and
bye she kissed me without saying anything
of Agnes. Instead Of alluding to her, she
told me that some Of her guests were sell
fish and cxacting, and demanded more
than their share Of attention others were
feeble and had claim upon her while she
desired to keep little time for Mr. Renton
and look little after the twins, Maggie
and Annie "One day. she continued,
"one day, my dear you will know what
these perp!exites mean."
/ laughed and answered that should
never have house Of my own, for was
SO small and dark and awkward that man.
ma despaired o! seeing me married, and !
was quite content to remain papa's darling
for that was the title which be always
gave me. -....
Mrs. Renton replied pleasantly that she
knew very well from papa hew necessary
was to him, but that it was just possible
that I might become as indispensable to
another as | was to him.
After she left me lay awake a long time
wishing | could know the very words papa
used when he spoke of me to her ; for al
though knewRhe loved me very dearly,
he never told me so except by the tone of
his voice and the warm glance of his eyes.
The principle topic Of lconversation among
part of the guests at Firgrove was the
anticipated arrival of Mr.. Gilbert Crofton,
| brother of our hostess. Miss Amelia
Monkton and her brother Conrad declared
him to be by far the best match in the
country. They spoke OF him rs remarka-
bly, handsome, Of good family, possessed
of beautiful mansion, they said, with
magnificent lawn and garden,a fine libary
and endless quantities of silver and linen.
| heard his name so often that grew Gu
rious, and when week passed by without
bringing him, said that hoped we should
have peep at him before we should leave.
I was sorry minute after, for Josephine
laughed sneeriugly, aud Georgiana replied
that | expected to make conquest of him.
He did arrive the same evening, but !
saw very little OF him, for in the carriage
for me to drive, or horse for me to ride
and if walking was proposed the twins
we're sure to want me to dress their dolls
or help on with a game. Then in the
evening was always needed to play the
piano for the dancers, or make fourth
at whist or be beaten at chess by old Mr.
Brakeman, who was so pettish and quarrel
= some over the board that every one but mt
declined his invitations.
When the fortnigh was over my parents
and sisters returned home, but Mrs. Ron
ton wouldn't listen 10 the proposal to take
me with them. She said that she had MOI
been able to do any thing fog my pleasure
aud that must remain until there were
fewer guests, so that might have my
share in the festivities of the house. AT
ter q deal oil talking, mamma consented tt
leave me, on condition that | would spend
three hours in the library every day ovel
my Italian and German.
Mr.. Crotton left the same moripg tha
my friends did and didn't expect to SCI
him again; nor did l feel any regret; fo
whenever he noticed me at all, it was il
such teasing way that l had hard worl
to appear Indifferent. When was flesl
and in good spirits ached to say some
thing sharp unmaidenly, and when wa
tired out the tears would scarcely be KEEP
back. think l really enjoyed his absenc,
t when behold late in the evening he reap
4 pcared. accompanied -byu young sister
e whom he called Angelica, and who wa
b both pretty and good natured and bring
g ing man servant, three saddle horses anc
| two dogs Oddly enough, everything wa
3 changed for me from that moment An
1 gelic (she insisted upon me calling her by
e her first namel took turns with Inc in play
| ing the piano, and while she was at tn,
= instrument l danced with her BROTHER
| She occasionally took my seat at the whist
: table, allowed herself to be beaten at ches
C by Brakeman and aided me in the nurser,
games.
] One OF the new saddle horses was ken
i for my sole use, and the two splendid dog
: were never SO happy as when trottnl
e by my side about the grounds or curlo'
e up at my feet while I studded my diction
e aries and grammars. Mr.. Croiton wa
: as teasing as ever when there were listen
t ors about, but he defended me adroitl
: against Amelia Monkton and the Allans
Q who seemed to grudge me even look o