Weekly Calaveras chronicle. (Mokelumne Hill, Calaveras County, Cal.) 18??-1874, 1867-12-28

l. 1SAOA WI NC Al Jun lSooOh
Yes, sir, a little l replied.
You want little reviewing, I think.
If I have time, l will call in at your
house this evening, and help you a lit
tie while you are studying
Mr.. Devereux knew that I always
studied in the evening, and had several
times called in and spent an hour in
assisting me with particularly difficult
task designed for the next days recita-
ton. So l was not surprised to hear
him make this offer, though a little
ashamed of the cause Of it, as my failure
had resulted from my willful inatten-
ton and carelessness. l thanked him,
however, with a flushed face, and went
to my seat. But it was not entirely
shame that flushed my face.
As I expected, Mr.. Deyereux came
in the evening to explain my French
lesson. But he did not find me alone
Aunt Katharine sat by the table sewing,
and looked even handsomer than in the
morning. Ny heart gave futter of
impatient anticipation every time Mr..
Devereux looked at her, and after the
lessons were through, l did my best to
make her talk to please him. My aunt
always talked well, but she quite ex-
celled herself in conversation that night.
l saw that Mr. Devereux was interested,
and l was delighted with the success of
my secret plan.
In the course of the evening, John
Aubrey my lover came in. Of course
claimed John as my lover, for though
he was nice young man of twenty
seven. and I mere child of a girl,
hardly sixteen, he had beaued me to
parties and concerts all one Winter, and
told me a dozen times that | was the
sweetest, prettiest, most lovely girl in
all Hartford. So that when John came
in, l went and sat down by him in a
cosy corner, and left aunt Katharine to
entertain Mr. Devereux, plan which
| thought at first seemed to suit all
around. But after little time | saw
John casting uneasy glances toward the
place where Mr.. Devereux, looking
superbly handsome sat talking with my
aunt.
You needn't be jealous of him John,
I said hes only my teacher
John stared and leaned back in his
seat without saying a word.
Neither of the gentlemen stayed very
late, John going away directly after
Mr.. Devereux, and went to my room
eiated with my prosperity, Or rather the
prosperity Of my plans.
did not need assistance in my studies
before Mr.. Devereux came again, and
after short time it came to bea regular
thing for him to spend an evening once
Or twice a week with US. With us, l
say, because I could see that, though
he admired my aunt Katharine very
much, he had too good taste to mono
police her company entirely, to the ex-
clusion Of mine. | enjoyed these
evenings very much. It seemed to me
that Mr.. Devcreuz grew remarkably
agreeable very fast. Som etimes John
would come 10, but John seemed to have
grown strange and moody Of late. I
thought it was because Mr. Deyereux
was at our house so much, and endeav-
ored to please him by extra attention
when he did spend an evening with US,
but it didn't seem to be of much use.
| resented his silence and inattention to
me one night, and after hat he did not
come near US for month. But we
seemed to get along just as we'll with
out him-at least l did, though aunt
Katharine asked NE number Of times
about the cause of his absence.
He is sulky, suppose. Don't fret
about me, aunt Katharine; it don't
trouble me at ALL I said.
A few evenings after, John made his
appearance and entered the parlor
where Mr.. Devereux and l sat playing
chess, while my aunt was writing let
ter at side table. 1 thought it would
be rather awkward for him at first, but
he came forward easily, and after speak
ing to Mr.. Devereux and myself, crossed
the room and seated himself by my
aunt. Pleased with this arrangement,
[ devoted myself to my game, and did
not look around for some half an hour
afterward, when my attention was at
tracted by the sound of John Aubrey's
voice, which, though low, was remarka-
bly, earnest and emphatic. I turned
my head and gazed in wonder. My
aunt's cheeks were flushed crimson, and
Johns face, as seen by me for an
instant, was pale and agitated. l turn
ed to Mr.. Devereaux in establishment,
but he only smiled slightly, made a
move, and then waited for me to do the
same But I could not play from ex-
element caused by the scene [ had OBJ
served moment before, and lost the
game drought inattention.
Shall we play again p said Mr..
Devereux.
1 shook my head, and hereplaced the
pieces in a box, and then took up a
book.
The next moment John arose, and
my aunt went with him to the door,
She did not come back for some time,
and when she did, Mr.. Devereaux was
preparing to go. He looked up quietly
at her entrance, and then asked her
laughingly if it was settled, and if he
might congratulate her. She blushed,
but said, Yes, at some other time, and
babe him good night. I had stood by
in round-eyed wonder and bewilder-
ment.
When the door closed on him my