Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1870-08-04
@ GALLIPOLIs, OHIO, AUGUST A. 1870.

l "N WV HuO SCutiCtudH came anu
gave both hands to her in his delight.
''Janie, my little playmate tool
What happy meeting! Clara came
down, dressed for call, and declared
she would come, but 1 told her mol
knew the amount of gallantry l
should feel obliged to use, and 1 pre-
ferred that the first visit should be like
the old ones"
"You are right. We are better
pleased to have it SO, are We not,
Janet?"
His call heightened itself into two
hours, and during that time he told
pleasant stories and chatted like the
boy of by-gone days, but not once did
Margaret's or Lettie's name pass his
lips.
When he went away he met them
coming. with disappointed faces, from
the parlor. where they had been wait
ing for him; but he only lifted his hat
and passed out. Then Grandma and
jamie received sound scolding, such
as Only these two knew how to give.
and the shadows of discomfort again
fell on Janet's spirit.
All, that long. cherries winter!-
What story Janet could tell you of
disappointments, of happy parties of
which she had no share, of moonlight
rides, of JOY and merriment. She had
only the one comforter, kind, patient
grandma; for now that Austin Bos-
worth had come, the way was harder
than before.
He came and escorted Lettie to par
ties and sometimes chatted with grand
ma, but nothing more. She saw moth
ing more. She did not as usual, catch
the good natured smiles he gave her
from the sleigh as he rode away-and
Lettie never told her how often he ask
ed for her.
Alone with grandma, Janet wished
for better things, and wondered why
she was so harshly dealt with
At last even the society of her good
aged comforter was denied her, and in
her bed the old lady gradually faded
away. Day and night Janet sat be-
side her with the knowledge that she
was beyond earthly help-waiting up
on her, yielding to the childish whims,
and shutting out everything youthful
snd beautiful from her sight.
playing household angel" Mar
garet said.
working for grandma's fortune of
old shoes and worsted stockings" Let
tie cruelty added.
Doing her duty by the faithful
woman who had taken the three moth
erless children into her heart, and fill
ed the lost ones place, so far as God
permitted" her own heart said, and
steadily she worked on.
The first of May brought invitations
to the last ball af the Bosworth House,
and while the two elder sisters laid out
the inery, Janet folded her tiny mis-
sive and hid it away next to her heart,
as sacred bit of paper, bearing
Austin's firm, broad chirography up
on 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.
81 beg you, girls, to have little re-
spect for poor grandma she is very
i'll tonight"
"Nonsensel Don't be fool, Janet
anybody would think she was dying
81 believe she is"
Their reply came in violent slam
of the door, and Janet was left alone
with her patient.
The hours dragged YEARLY, and
overcome by her long, sleepless
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, she walked to
her fathers door. and awakened him.
"Father, grandma is worse. l be-
lieve her dying. You must go to DR..
Berne. You will find him at the ball
Go quickly!'
She went back, and sat there wear
lily waiting for something-for sound,
sign from the dying woman, but
none came. Slowly, but perceptibly,
the lines settled around the pleasant
mouth, and the dark shadows crept
over the placid face, but no sound is
sued from her pale lips.
Janet bent her head. There was
faint futter-no more, and clasped her
hands. Would grandma die there be-
fore her eyes, and never speak word?
She caught the cold hand in her
own, and cried aloud:
"Grandma! speak to mel speak to
your little Janet! Don't you hear me,
grandma?"
But grandma heard nothing. The
cbillness 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 Bos-
worth 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 1 not-Ah, fcrgive
mel This is no time or place. l miss
ed you as 1 have always missed you,
but thought it was your own pleasure
to remain at home. When your father
came in with white. frightened face.
and whispered to DR.. Berne, l knew
you were in trouble. came at once,
and, Janet, 1 shall not again leave
you"
She kneu his meaning and did not