Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1867-09-05

behind 10 play sentry by trudging up and
down with his weapon over his shoulder.
The fattest and shyest seemed usually to be
put on this conspicuous duty, gaze to lit
lie derisive boys, and a wonder to unaccus-
toned nurscmaids.
Anna was not talkative by the way, but
her Uncle John took furtive observation
Of her, and found that if she was rather
heavy in d-conversationally speaking
her appearance, at least, was satisfactory to
his taste. So also was it to her Aunt Theo-
dora's, to whose care he made her over, al
leging that he had some business at the sad
dlers and elsewhere, not amusing TO ladies,
and they had therefore better take their own
way under Uncle Christopher's escort This
being agreed to, Aunt Millicent was called
for at the next house but one, and they made
a party to go to Livcrsedge's library, though
they went really to see the company that
was sure to assemble there at and after four
O'Clock. Anna would fain have escaped,
but her Aunt Theodore refused to under
stand her hints about going to Minister pray
ers every day." said she; "but You cannot
see me every day. want 10 tell You all
about Brackenfield, and / want to hear all
about yourself. How do you like living in
Norminster? Have you many nice friends?
Anna replied in her listless, provoking way,
that they knew plenty of people, but none
tint sl,p carp1 much alout
You should try to care about them, dear.
1t seems like affectation in girl to profess
indifference about everybody and every
thing" No sooner had the words passed
Aunt Theodora's lips than she perceived
that she had overshot the mark, and that her
quiet, passive companion, was by no means
indifferent to everybody and everything.
She regretted having spoken 30 hastily; for
wave of emotion came and went painfully
over Anna's face, and she swerved as if to
turn another way, evidently to avoid sec
ond large party who, emerging from East
gate, were about to cross the square ut the
same moment as themselves.
Foremost of this party was a lady neither
young nor old, beautiful in soft, faded
style, and beautifully dressed in black and
and grey-Mrs. Lefevre Attending on her,
with visible self-satisfaction, was Philip
Raymond, looking exceedingly handsome
and happy. 1t was when Anna caught sight
OF him that Aunt Theodore had been struck
by her attempt at DEPRESSION, which she
very properly frustrated. Close behind fol-
lowed Lady Stapylton and Mrs Dent, the
youthful matrons, Mrs. Lefevre's daughters,
fair, plump, sunny-eyed women, copies of
their mother in brighter tints. Behind them
again were two younger sisters, in the sim
pie attire Of girls uncome out-like gingham
dresses and capes, and Leghorn hats with
straw colored ribbons-pictures of freshness
and purity.
There was pause at the corner of the
square, and general, lively exchange of
greetings, in which her Cousin Philip shook
hands with Anna, and made dae inquiries
after Mrs. Wynyard. Anna was rather con
fused, and short in her replies, and after Il
word with Lois, the gallant hussar stood
back, and spoke to Mabel Lefevre, the taller
and elder of the two girls not introduced.
AS he looked down at her, she looked up
to him, and both smiling, blushed Anna
saw it. Mabel had face as lovely as ever
inspired u poets song, and eyes large, linz
pid, and childlike, that in every glance plead
ed for tenderness. Anna could hardly with
draw her gaze from this countenance, as an
gelic in expression as it was perfect in fea-
ture and coloring.
The conversation OF the young matrons
turned on hower-shows, concerts, and balls
that were to be in the coarse of the week !;
and after minute OF two somebody having
discovered that they were all going by the
same road to Liversedgc's library, they pro-
ceeded, pairing off now so as to let Philip
Raymond walk by Mabel. Anna was left
last in the file, and alone as il happened, for
Lois had joined hands with Mabel's little
sister Jean, and Uncle Christopher was
marching on in advance with Lady Stapyl-
ton-a charming woman 10 his niiad. charm
as the women Of his youth.
Anna felt herself outside OF all this cheer
fnl, graceful company. Philip, preoccspicd,
had only spoken to her like anybody else
coolly, kindly, carclessly, and was lost to
her now in the contemplation of that divine
face under the Leghorn hat. This was all
that had come OF her looking forward to u
meeting with him again Those happy days
at Eskford, so dearly treasured by her, for
any remembrance that he kept Of them,
might as well never have been. 1t WIS like
II sudden awaking out of sleep, and the yam
ishing of pleasant dream.
Her Aunt Theodore looked back once,
and thought, "Poor Anna. !" and when they
reached the library, and found acquain-
tances TO talk to, she contrived to whisper
to her that it she liked to come away, and
bring Lois, they would go and do some
shopping at the Diapers. Anna was only
too glad, and they went off together unob-
served. The diapers brought them halfihe
distance back to Briggate, and when Aunt
Theodore had done her purchases, Anna
huSStsitu returning uOulc. one WAS tltu,
and longing to give way to her weakness
and wcarincss. Aunt Theodore consented
When Anna and Lois reached home, they
found On the parlor-table IL light chip box,
full of the most exquisite flowers. 1t had
come in hamper of good things from Esk-
ford, and was evidence that some one there
had not forgotten her love for flowers. Was
it Cousin Philip9 Catching at this straw,
Anna's spirits revived. The sight and scent
of their beauty and fragrance cxhilarated
her, and she began at once to please herself
in dressing the drnwing-room vases, while
she answered her mothers inquiries about
her aunts whom she had seen In town. On
the morrow in the afternoon, Lady Goodwin
and Mrs. Forester walked out to Briggate
with Sir Andrew, and sent him on for fur
ther exercise, and stayed themselves with
the widowed sister until nearly the hour of
Minister prayers, when he returned to escort
them thithcr. Before they left, Anna was
promised concert on the following evening,
and n hower-show on Tuesday, to which