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

ring her visits, Mrs. Renton was her
constant attendant. She walked, aud
drove and sat beside her, describing
everybody and everything about them,
and furnished her With all those little
hints and suggestions which In conver.
sation are telegraphed by the eye
But | took her place, a great relief to
her and no hardship to me for an hour,
thus giving me time to run about the
garden and fulfill my promise to
mamma.
I had been at Figrove three months
when papa wrote me that be could no
longer spare his darling. Mr.. Crofton
brought the letter to me in the library,
and stood waiting for me to read it, af-
ter which be wished me to join Mrs.
Renton and himself in walk to the
Crags. .
"What does papa writer he asked,
as began to rcfold the sheet.
"He writes that 1 must 60 home di-
rcctly, for he cannot spare his darling
any longer"
Then said Mr.. Croftou gravely,
and tendcrly, "Noither can I spare my
darling" '.'
Notwithstanding he was serious l
thought he was making sport Of me-
My cheeks ctimsoned and my eyes
flashed, and 1 said, "When you have
teascd me heretofore, Mr.. Crofton, it
has been on Indifferent subjects. TO
make sport Of me now amounts to an
insult"
"T am not making sport of you; Mar.
ion," he answered very gently. "IIhave
loved you, God alone knows how muchi
ever since the first week Of acquain-
tauce, when you moved so quietly and
sending peace and sunshine through
the discordant elements of my sisters
house. 1 ought to have spent Autumn
at Aspenholt, but I could not part with
you now, Marion. Let me try to make
you love me-"
He took my hand as he spoke and
looked full into my eyes: l think he
saw there an answering fervor, for at tha
moment became conscious Of yssaffec-
ton for him, an affection which had
been strengthening hour by hour for
many days. He must have seen it, I
am sure, for he snatched me up in his
arms, and carrying me straight to Mrs.
, Ronton's sitting room, he exclaimed
, MARY, l have won herl" r-
| expected that Mrs. Renton would
be overwhelmed with astonishuent,
and perhaps anger, but she embraced
5 me quietly and warmly, and said,
. "Threo months ago, dear Marion, I
knew that you would one day be Gil.
bert's aud mine" -|.
ii Mrs. r nton accompanied Gilbert and
. me to my home. Papa was silently
= happy to see me again, silently sad al
$ the thought that he had ceased to be
o frst in my heart; but cannot describe
5 the reception which mamma and the
i girls gave US. There was a refined de-
ference in their manner toward my com
q panion which 1 had never seen them
= exhibit before, and 10 me they were
: for the first time, heartily affeGtionate
The period of petty neglects and small
t snubbing was over ; so, also, was tha
h of dresses made Of discarded garments
Is Scarcely, indeed, was Mrs. .RentOn ou
@ Of the house before mamma started fo
y he city to commence preparation for 4
l. splendid bridal outfit. .. -g.rr .a
] can with dif6c ulty persuade mysel
}. that that was six months ago, or that
/ am really writing in this noble library
j. with my husbands kiss warm upon m,
lips, and the servants "Mrs. CrOftOn
lie echoing in my ears. . .aT .Ir5 2.
e. .-r.r Concluded Re1t i1eek. ar