Weekly Calaveras chronicle., 1866-07-28


however. | liked that eccentricity which
never took him too far, and that slight
want of polish which gave favor to ev-
erything he said or did 1 liked all, ex-
cepting bis umbrella. That l detested.
1t was large, solid, massive, and dread
fully obtrusive. He had it in his hand
on that bright warm day, and long as
our acquaintance lasted | never saw Mr..
Thompson without it. Later, when our
intimacy had progressed. I taxed him
with this. eyes," he said, good d-hu.
moredly, 81 confess it is my hsbby. My
earliest ambition when a boy, was to
possess an umbrella, and my greatest
happiness as man is to go about with
one"
OF course we did not speak about his
umbrella on this the first morning we
spent together. Mr.. Thompson praised
my music, and, looking me full in the
face, told me 1 played divinely. He
said it without preamble, and l saw he
meant it. My aunt was delighted, and
l felt pleased but somehow or other
also felt that Mr.. Thompson treated me
like little girl and SO he did-not
merely then, but ever afterwards Tire
some man! I had thought him old be-
fore saw him, and I could Dot make
him think me old now that he saw me.
Mr.. Thompson did not stay week
with rs, but month. Oh, that happy
month, with long golden days and deli
cious evenings, and musiv and sweet
converse shall l ever forgetit !? If the
wakening was bitter, let me remember
that the dream was very sweet.
Mr.. Thompson was to leave us next
morning, and we were in the garden
together. 1 knew by this time how ]
felt towards him, and, kind'though he
was, doubted if be cared much for me-
And when he said, "Augusta, I have
something to say to you," my heart
began to beat. He used to call me Au.
gusta now and then, having known me
as child but never had be said it SC
kindly as this evening. t.- f.
Ah, we'll I suppose many women
have to go through the bitterness which
came to me then. Mr.. Thompson had
met my cousin Jessie at Mrs. Gray
proposed to her, and been accepted
From the moment he mentioned Jessie &
name, Iknew nv fate Without seeking
it, I suppose, she had ever stood be.
tween me and every good. She had ia.
ken the friendship of my best friend
the liking of my nearest relative-I
was not feally my auut's niece, only hel
late husband sand now she had fore
stalled me in the love of the only man
1 had ever cared.for. Surely she was
not to blame in that, but oh, how hard
how very hard, it seemed to me! The
nightingale sang ID the trees above US
pure, brilliant stars burned in the sky
the garden was full of fragrance, and
Mr.. Thompson went on pouring Jessie
praises in my ear. She was so hand
some, so bright, SO genial, and SO de.
lightfully innocent And what do you
suppose he told me all this for?. Why,
because he wanted me to go and live
wit them My aunt's health had been
failing of late, and he was aware that
knew the worst might soon come, so be
wanted me to be sure of home. |
burst into tears.
"My dear good child" he cried
warmly, elf | were not going away,
would not have grieved you 50. You
have, know, a true, warm heart. Your
dear aunt may live for years; only, il
she should not, Jessie and L"
"Pray, don't!" l interrupted. ]
could not bear it. The more be praised
me, the kinder he was, the more wept
ana felt miserable. At length, at my
request he left me. l grew calmer after
u while, and went in.
"Do play Chopin's march for US, my
dear. said my aunt. Poor dear aunt
she wanted me to fasciuate him to the
last. She little knew that Jessie, whom
she disliked SOC had been beforehand
with me there.
l played it again. It was the knell Of
all my hopes. A gray twilight filled the
room, and they could not see the tears
which flowed down my cheeks. play
ed we'll, they said; and believe l did
Something from myself was in the music
that evening, and that something was
:ery sorrowful Mr.. Thompson came
and sat by me when l had done The
servant brought in the lights and let,
ter for my aunt. Whilershe was read
ing it, he said; softly: d.
"You will think over it t?''
!"Pray don'tw l entreated.
"But you do not know how much
like you," be insisted; "and then you
will do my liale needless Jessie good
poor childish darling! Besides, have
set my heart on something
This crowned all. l guessed his
meaning; he had younger brother fol
whom be meant me. He bad all but
said so this evening in the garden at
would do John, who was rather light,
all the good in the world. l could NOT
bear it. l rose and went up to aunt
"What news, aunty ?" I asked.
News, indeed!P she replied amazed.
There's Jessie going to marry my cous-
in, Mr.. Norris, old enough to be her
father. l wonder what he will do with
the little firt 2 -
There was pause.
Mr. Thompson came forward. did
not dare to look at him.
tWh.t Tass;a :. tbot ?, ha asked -