, 1869-03-12


into which | knew (per Bob she threw all
her fading roses. glided near. l looked
in at the window. Ah, that picture. She
sat with her back to me, her arm--that arm
of rosy alabaster--thrown carelessly over
her chair, her eeg.shell chin resting on her
thumb and fore6ngsr, her syelids sweeping
her cheek, and white-yes white bow
10 her hair; and her dress was of snowy
lawn--White, bridal lawn. Adieu, old Pass
ab le Trottl a.
wiped my eyes and looked again. Old
Trott's portrait hung on the wall, but that
was nothing. Her guitar lay on the table,
and-did see Alright "a miniature just
beside it, Perhaps Of old Trott-taken out
for the last time. Well-welli be was
very respectable man and had been very
kind to her, most likely.
'EbemP said l, stepping over the still,
'Fidelia.'
She started and turned, aud certainly
looked surprised Mr.. G-P ? said she.
1t is long since we parted said, help.
ing myself to q chair la
Quite long, said Fidelia.
so long that you have forgotten the name
of 'G-f l asked TREMENDOUSLY.
'0b, no : she replied, covering up the
miniature on the table by careless moves
ment of her scarf.
And may 1 hope that name has not grown
distasteful to you ? summoned courage to say.
N, no, don't know that it has, Mr.
G-P
The blood returned to my fainting heart
l felt as in days Of yore.
'Fidelia, said ], 'let me not waste the
precious moments. You loved me at twenty;
may l hope that / may stand to you in a
nearer relation May | venture to think
that our family is not unworthy of union
with the Balches ?-thst, as Mrs. c.,
you could be happy?
Edelia Observation-Disclosures up the
miniature aud clasped it to her breast.
do understand you rightly, Mr.. G-P
she tremulOusly exclaimed. But l think l
do. | remember well what you were at
twenty. This picture is like what you were
then-with differences, it is true, but still
like Dear pictureP she exclaimed again
kissing it with rapture.
(How could she have got my miniatureI Z
But no matter-takeu by stealth, presume.
Sweet and eager anticipstion.)
And Robert has returned from college,
then ? she said inquringly.
Not that know of, said |.
Indeed-then he has written to you?
Not recently
'Ah, poor boy! he anticipated. Well,
Mr.. c., will not effect to be coy
where my heart has been so long interested :
l stood ready to clasp her to my bosom.
Tell Robert my mourning is over--tell
him his name (the name of c., of
cOurse) is the music of my life, and that /
will marry whenever he pleases.'
A horried suspicion crossed my mind.
Pardon me- said L; acheneuer he pledses,
did you say? Why particularly tohen he
pLeases p
La his not being of age is no impediment,
l hope = said Mrs. Trott, with some sur
prise. Look at his miniature, Mr.. c..
1t has boyish look, it's true but so had
you-at twenty
Hope sank within me. l would have
given worlds to be away. The truth was
apparent to me-perfectly apparent. She
loved that boy. Bob that child-that
mere child-and meant TO marry him. Yet
how could it be possible2 | might be-
yes-I must be mistaken. Fidelia Balch,
who was a woman when he was an urchin in
petticOats, she to think of marrying that
boy. wronged her; oh, l wronged her
But worst come 10 worst there was no harm
in having ii perfectly unnerstood.
Pardon me- said l, putting on look as
if expected shout of laughter for the mere
supposition Il should gather (categorically,
mind you, only categorically)-I should
gather from what you said just now-hsd
been a third person listening, that is to say,
with no knowledge of the parties-I should
have gathered that Bob-little Bob-was,
the happy man and not / ! Now don't
laugh at me-
You the happy man! Oh, Mr.. G.,
you are jokingl Oh, no pardon me if have
unintentionally misled you; but if l marry
again, Mr.. c., 1t ,0iH be a young man
In short, not to mince the matter, Mr.. c.,
your nephew is to become my husband (uoth-
ing unforeseen turning up) in the course Of
the next week. We shall have pleasure Of
seeing you at the weddisg, of course Oh,
no You! should fancy that DO woman
would make tVo unequal marriages, Mr..
G.. Good morning Mr.. G -
l was left alone, and to return as pleased
BY the vegetable garden or the front door.
l chose the latter, being somewhat piqued as
we'll as iuexpressibly grieved and disappoint,
ed. But philosophy came to my aid, and
soon fell into mood of speculation.
.Eidelia is CONSTANT said | to myself;
constant after all She made u5 her mouth
for me at twenty; but did not stay tsoenty.
Oh, no; l unadvisedly, and without prepara-
lively cultiVating her taste for thirty.fve,
became tbirty-6ve. And new what was she
to do7 Her taste was not ct all embarked |
in PAssable TrOtt, and it stayed Just as it
to be called up and used.
She locks it up decently till old Trott dies,
aud then reprOdnees-Wbat7 Why, just
what she locked up--a taste for young
man at twenty, and just such man as she |
loved when she was twenty. Bob, Of course!
Bob is like me-BOb is twentyl Be Bob
her husbandp stfatc g7 nsl --