The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1865-04-13

propriety Of sending me some more gar
ments, for soon after she added post
script to one of my letters, received d
handsome silk, cherry and black, beau
tifully trimmed with lace; maroon
colored merino, with nice velvet ribbons,
and stout walking-dress, with extrav-
agantly heavy boots. Amelia and her
companions sneered again at my pre-
parations for a winter campaign, but
Mr.. Crofton, who dropped into Mrs.
Renton's private room while she was
looking at the articles, exclaimed, upon
seeing the boots, that they were just the
things | needed: and that he would ask
me to try them in an excursion to the
Crags, high bluff which commanded
lovely landscape. Accordingly the
next morning, he made up party for
walking, but he led us--purposely
have since ascertaiued through such
tiresome paths, and over such wearisome
hills, that everybody was full of com
plants except Angelica and 1. After
that he politely set the rest aside.
enjoyed these walks perfectly, because
Mr.. Crofton was at once so gentle and en-
tertaining. 1t was delightful to listen
to iue poetry and spicy anecdotes amid
the charming scenery which we passed,
and although | could add but little from
my own stores to the conversation, vet
l am sure my face must have expressed
the pleasure which 1 received.
My sky was notalways so oloudloss
The idea that Mr.. Grafton could regard
me as anything but a mere schoolgirl
had not occurred to me. Mrs Renton
told me and others that her brother was
pleased to find at the house child in
telligent enough for companion, yet
too young for Irritation and scandal, and
that, were older, he would not permit
bimselfto offer such marked attentions.
Yet Miss Monkton and her set made m e
so uncomfortable by series Of petty
annoyances that l dreaded to enter the
drawing-room, and once or twice even
dined in the nursery with the twins to
escape their little malice.
| could not accomplish this, do as
would. l was sitting with Maggie ono
twilight, holding her hand while she
went to sleep, when Amelia and Conrad
stepped into the hall The door was
partly open, but they did not perceive
it, and, as, my name was almost the frs
word spoken, | could not refrain from
quietly listening to what came next.
"iIOw ridiculous Gilbert Croftou't
manner is toward that absurd child!'
said Amelia. ...r.... .....
: "She isn't absurd and he ism riddle
, ulous," replied Conrad. "Sheis a brigh
. little thing, homely to be sure, but per
: fectly unassuming and good-natured al
most to fault; and be, imagine,
glad to come across one of the sex VIII
doesn't say yes eternally to his remark
and propositions, however extravagau
they may be-"
i "At any rate it isn't right for him t
i be so exclusive in his attentions. b
a and by she will think he wants TO MAJ
r ry her"
!. "perhaps he will not marry her, bu
e | lose my guess if she isn't as muc
r. astonished as anybody when he tel
1t her so, If ever he does. One thin
e however is certain, Amelia, you onl
d lower yourself by joining those il
'f bred Ailaus in snubbing Miss Marior
y L have seen Crofton's face turn absc
e utoly white with rage, when Clara A
y Ian has stung her with her mean sus
1t picious shafts"
IS The speakers passed on, leaving n
Is grieved and angry, and crushed b.
j. meath a vague sense of injustice whic
y could not entirely understand.
l. half resolved not to go down to Dime
a and then, l remembered that Angelic
% was gone, and that no one would |
st willing to play for the dancing, or
- hear poor Mr.. Blakemau's pettishnes
70 so instead Of indulging myself in q
j unhappy evening alone, made m
t. prcttiest toilet, did my duty thorough
d, and was cheerful, and was rewarded by
,r precious half hour with Mrs. Rcnton
ry her room before retiring to mine.
d The Monktons and Allans doparte
n aud two other sets came and went, b
r my hostess still found some oxcclo
e. reasons why I should remain, especial
ly after Angelica left. For two weeks
re had an old gentleman who want
so somebody to read to him every day,
he | gave him my three hours of transl
tiOns, good exercise for me, and Piles
y, ant for him, since l always select
he something lively if not positively com
ng Next an aunt of Mrs. Renton arrive
Cf who was nearly blind, Usually, d