The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1870-04-27
BY MRS. JULIA A. CARNEY.

DE CAREFUL, Tauuy. WHICH vi GHoSt
young men you accept!7 You know
want partner as well as YOU"
The speaker was pleasant looking
man somewhat past the prime of life.
He addressed his pretty niece, whose
vivid blush showed that she under
stood his admorition.
The young men in question were
both ardent admirers, aud constant
visitors of pretty Fannie Roberts, but
as yet she had displayed no decided
preference. She walked and talked
with both, and rode with Albert Mel
vile, but Edward Grey never invited
her to ride. Perhaps this was because
he had a widowed mother and invalid
sister who partly depended upon his
exertions. He was head clerk nf the
firm Of Melville g. White, while Al
her, was son OF the senoir partner.
"Why don'5 old Melville take Albert
into The firm, or at least give him a
place in The business, if he is capable
and wnrthy p pursued Uncle John.
As Fanny did mol knew, she very
prud,utly abstained from any attempt
at au answer. Perhaps if the truth
we've all told, the same proh'em had
been several times presented to her
own mind, and was as far us ever from
satisfactory SOLUTION. Still, Albert
was a young man of very winning ad-
dress, and fine talents. Was it safe to
admire gifts apparently wasted upon
an aimless life?
Edward Grey was thoughtful and
quiet-grave almost to fault, at least
in the eyes of a lively young \girl.---
Still there was a feeling of tl'ustfulness
impaired hy his grave sincerity in
which the other was lacking. Albert
was the most sparkling, and, to a
young heart, the most attractive; yet
she instinctively felt that it would be
safest to love Edward.
"l'lI try them," murmured she to
herself.
Her mother and Uncle John botl
looked up in astonislment, but per-
ceiving that Fanny was not conscious
of having spoken aloud, merely ex'
changed chances and wisely forbade tt
ask questions.
Until very recently Fanny had livet
a quiet life i'll the country. She brongh
with her to the city very great many
country ideas. One of these was tina
labor was really more honorable thar
idleness, even although not needed Al
a means of support. She had shown
"A degree of sence and energy uncom
mon at sixteen. when upon the suddel
deatl, Of her father, she had left TIN
school where her fond mother woul,
fam have allowed her to remain, ant
insisted upon earning her own living
The village dressmaker was glad of al
apprentice and, as village dressma
ker, she was qnietly supplying her owl
wants and those of her beloved mother
when a letter came from Uncle john
He was tired of city boardinS-hous
he was getting old, he had enoug
FIR them all, and lie wanted home.
Would they come and make one ia
him9 He could not leave his larg
business to go to them-would the
come to him ? When might he NEE
them at the station, and install his ow
dear sister mistress of his home, q
since his earliest childhood she ha
. dwelt in his own heart?
1t was very tempting offer, and.
speedily met glad acceptance.
= Mrs. Roberts was alone in her littl
parlor when it arrived, thinking sad
S of the past, aud doubtfnlly Of the Fl
ture. Fanny arrived home tired wi,
the days work, and spirit-weary vii
R trying TO please capricious empioye
To bptk it was welcome relief.
|, one it was merely springing, as in Ii
infancy, to the extended arms of a b
8 loved elder brother; to the other