The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1870-07-16


she worked on.
The first Of Nay brought invitations to the Las,
ball at the Bosworth House, and while the two
elder sisters laid out the finery Janet folded he,
tiny missive and hid it away next to her heart
as sacred bit of paper, bearing Austin's firm
broad chirography upon it.
That night grandma was very i'll, and when
Margaret and Lettie futtered in with their gay
dresses, Janet met them and almost forcibly put
them out of the room.
Il beg you, girls, to haye little respect for
| poor grandma-she Is very i'll tonight"
Nonsense! Don't be a fool, Janst-anyb body
would think she was dying"
II believe she is"
Their reply came in a violent slam of the door,
and Janet was alone with her patient.
The hours dragged YEARLY, and overcome by
her long, sleepess Watches Janet fell fast asleep
Two hours later she awoke with start, and
| in an instant she saw that dread change in her
grandma's face.
Like one in dream, che walked to her faith
| er's door, and awakened him.
FEATHER, grandma is worse. believe her dy-
ing. You must 20 to DIR. Berne You will find
him at the ball. Go qulckly"
She went back and sat there wearily waiting
tor something-for a sound, sigh from the dy-
ing woman; but none came. Slowly, but per-
ceptibly, the lines settled around the pleasant
aAaouChs dhu tuC udth SNdQOWS cTeDC over the
placid face, but no sound issued from the pale
lips.
Janet bent her head. There was a faint flut-
ter-no more, and Janet clasped her hands.
Would grandma die there before her ewes. and
never speak word?
Grandma speak to me- speak to your little
Janet Don't you hear me, grandma
But grandma heard nothing. The chillness
of death had settled down, and even as she knelt
there the breath fed, and Janet was alone
She understood it all when she arose. and she
sank back, half fainting, IN the armchair near
the bed.
Janet, my poor darling"
She lifted her head. Austin Bosworth was
leaning over her.
my little girl Why did you not send word
to me tonight and let me share your sorrow ?"
"You, Austin ?"
eyes, have not. All, forgive me. This
is no time or place. / missed you as have al
ways missed you, but thought it was your own
pleasure to remain ut home. When your father
came in with white, frightened face, and whis-
pered to DR.. Berne. knew you was in trouble
l came at once, and, jamie, shall not again leave
YOU
She knew his meaning, and did not put him
away, when he held her close in his arms and
drew her into the parlor
Margaret and Lettie coming in with their
faces horror.stricken, saw him holding her in his
arms, her tired head resting YEARLY upon his
shoulder. and the proud Lettie said:
Mr.. Bosworth, I am surprised"
you need not be. This is my privilege now
and forever
Three days after they gathered in that same
parlor, to hear grandms's last will and testament
read. After some little directions, it said:
"And to my beloved grand daughter, Janet
Leeds, l bequeath the Holmes estate. together
with my entire stock Of furniture and money,
amounting to ten thousand dollars"
Janet's father smiled upon his astonshed and
crest-falen daughters.
1T was mothers whim She never desired it
to be known. Therefore you were ignorant of
the fact that she had dollar beyond the annu-
ity held for her"
When, six months later, Austin and Janet
were married. her elder sisters dared to say that
he married her for her money He knew better,
and so did I.