Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1864-12-17
TALES AND SKETCHES.
THE PROMISE rUIFIu.s.Es,.

Mrs. Louise Anslie, our pretty hostess,
who was on her knees bef)re my trunk, en-
gagged in admitting my wardrobe while she
chatted, turned Immediately to my sister
"N1y dear Julia, we are actually crammed,"
said she. There hasn't been such sum-
mer rush for The Naples since can remem.
ber First came the Athcrtons and the
Wilson's then Hattie Latimer and her sis
ter; then Harry Vernon, Charlie Wayne,
Fred Lawton, and his pretty little cousin
and consequently her ardent admirer, Mr.
Maynard. thought we were certainly full
and James was Just saying, last night, that
we couldn't possibly accommodate anybody
else, when carriage drove up, and out
sprang Hugh Cheston.
Hugh Cheston ?" exclaimed my elder
sister, Gertrude, who was tumbling over the
contents of her trunk insearch something's.
"Oh, am delighted !"
"IIe's the best catch know of, Louise"
said Julia.
"Wellc of course he has come to spend a
week or two. and James was just as glad to
see him rs if there wasn't a soul in the house
anG we had whole suites of rooms" replied
Mrs. Anslie 1bnt was at my wits end for
place to put him in. At last | remem-
bered what good little soul you are, Mat
tie, and so ven.ured to let him have the
chamber had preserved for you. You won't
think it an imposition, will you, dear :"
mo, indeed. l can manage capitally with
you, julia said.
"lts very good of you He's Just return
ed from the continent" continued Louise.
cOh, what a love of jertha, Mattie!)-
and has brought home French valet who
is almost as handsome as his master, who is
turning the head of every maid in the house.
How delightful it is to hear them talk
French-master and mani Matte, where
did you ever find this perfect trimming 2"
II havn't seen him for nearly five years."
said Gertrude "but l used to be desperate
ly in love with him. Such handsome eyes
he had y
"ue is very rich. which is much more to
the purpose" said Julia, whose twenty-six
summers had brought her to appreciate the
practical part of life. Matte, you homely
little thing" she added, what are you
dreaming about g
got up from the floor where had been
sitting for the last ten minutes, with my
hair about my shoulders, and went then to
see what bright color there was upon my
cheeks
My sisters were dressed in a few moments
more. and went down stairs with Louise -
When the sound Of their voices ha3 died
away threw myself upon the carpet by II
chair and fell to dreaming. Five years be-
tiore-it did not seem long-I had seen
Hugh Cheston, and for the only time in my
life. It was on the night OF a party given
at my fathers house, in homo" OF my sister
Gertrudo's eighteenth birthday. Little more
than two years before had losi my dear
mother, and the idea Of crowd OF gay peo'
pie throngng the room where she rested IN
her coffin on that last sad day filed my
childish heart with grief and indignH ton.
But no one took any notice OF me. | klclt
there by the window of my little room,
which was in the wing Of the house ant
overlooked the terrace of the main building
my face wet with tears, and the most
wretched feeling | had ever felt lingering
around me. Suddenly a light from the hall
room streamed out broadly upon the dark
ness, as some one drew the window drape-
ry aside, and an instant afterwards two per-
son stepped out upon the terrace. 1t was
my sister Gertrude and a gentleman. L
could hear their words plainly as they pas
sed backwards and forwards. They talk
ed gaily and carelessly about great many
things, some uf which could understand
and others / could not At last | was start
led by the words of my sisters companion
"What is that 2" lie said.
"What." said my sister. "What do you
'mean Mr.. CbestonI Z"
Il thought | caught the glimpse of {
child's face at that wiEGow," replied tho
| gentleman. "And if am not mistaken il
was wet with tears"
drew back quietly with a beating heart
/ but heard my sister say, "Oh It's Matte
my little sister, | suppose. The child is
averse 10 our giving this party to night, ant
declares that we are al heartless and forget
full of my dear mother. OF course, as yor
are aware, the idea is very absurd, but ne
one could make her believe it, and she ha!
shut herself up in her room and cried al
day
Gertrude had told the truth. These wer,
Just the facts of the case. If her wolds haC
called forth a smile from her companion,
should have hated him forever: but peepins
carefully from behind the curtain saw hi
face as he passed by the lighted windows
and it was as grave and gentle as l cOulC
have wished. lie made Gertrude no reply
4 few moments afterwards they steppe,
through the window into the room again.
Leaning back into my old place dropped m
head into my hands fell to thinking, but no
Of my troubles. Suddenly was startled b.
hearing my name called. After moment
bewildered hesitation leaned forward an'
looked out. M. Cheston was standing alon
upon the terrace.
Wont you come down moment n h
said, smiling at my frightened face; II wan
to talk with you.'
SpringiDg up, ] left my room, and triT
ing lightly down the stairs, stepped throug
the hall door upon the terrace, and stoo
before him with "a beating heart lie too
my hand and STOPPING down lie looked kline
ly into my face.
"What have you been crying for 2" he sale
gently.
|. "You know" replied, laconically.
k 80 do, little Mattie,n he said, smiling
d ly, "and called you down because l wishe
u to tell you that | don't think it foolish
all, as the Others do, and I'm veryssorry fl
you"
;" l allowed him TO kiss me, which was
|. liberty l should have indignantly resente
d under any other circumstances.
"ln few moments | am going away, an
shall be gone for several years. he said, aft
pause, during which he looked keenly b'
+, kindly into my downcast face. when
. come back you will be young lady, Ma
tie.n
% II know it," said l. "And am very SCR
L for it."
"For what reason 2" he asked.
d Because don't like young ladies" l
: piled.
l L.