Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1870-08-17
wv What an old croaker |"

Mind them Do you think I shall
Janet Leeds ?''
Next day Austin Bosworth came. HI
was too familiar with the old house to stor
for bellringing, aud he entered, crossing the
hall directly past the parlor door, where
Margaret and Lettie waited in their taste
ful afternoon costumes, and walked on tc
grandma Leeds room.
She was there with her work, her placid
face beaming beneath the white laced bor-
der.
A graceful, girlish figure half knelt be-
fore her, wreathiag with deft fingers a
bunch of evergreens into a frame for man
tie ornament, and her eyes were lifted smI-
lingly into the old lady's face.
He entered and closed the door before
either saw him.
Grandma Leeds !"
"Why bless my heart, it is Austin /!
Come here my boyH"
And the fine gentleman came and gave
both hands to her in her delight.
jamie, my little playmate, tool What
happy meeting Clara came down, dres-
sed for call, and declared she would come,
but | told her no | knew the amount of
galantry | should feel obliged to use and [
preferred my 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 the time he told pleasant stories
and ehatted ike the boy Of by gone days,
but not once did Margaret or Lettic'S name
pass his lips.
When he went away he met them coming,
with disappointed faces, from the parlor,
where they had been waiting for him but
he only lifted his hat and passed out. Then
grandma and Janet received sound scold
ing, sach as these two knew how to give,
anu the shadows Of discoutent again fell on
Janets Spirit.
All, that long, chcerless winter What
a story Janet could tell you of di>apDoint-
ments, of happy parties of which she had
no share, of moonlight rides, of Joy ard
merrimentl She had only that one com
lorter. kind, patient grandma; for now that
Austin Bosworth had come, TIE way was
harder than before
He came and escorted Lettie to parties,
and sometimes chatted with grandma, but
nothing more. She saw nothing 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 asked for her.
Alone with grandma, Janet wished for
better things and wondering why she was
go harshy 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 beside her with the
knowledge that she was beyond earthly
upon her, yielded to the
shildish whims, and shutting out everything
youthful and beautiful from her sight
Playing household angel" Margaret
said
Working for grandma's fortune of old
shoes and worsted stockings, " Lettie cruelty
added.
Doing her duty by the faithful woman
who had taken the three motheress chill
Iren into her heart, and filed the lost one
place, SO far as God permitted, her own
heart said, and steadily she worked Gu
The first of May brought invitations to
the last Ball Of The Bosworth House, and
while the two elder sisters laid cut the fine
ry, Janet folded her tiny missive and hid it
away next to her heart. as sacred BIT of
paper bearing Austin's firm, broad chirog
raphy upon it.
That night grandma was very i'll, and
when Marga ct and Lettie futtered in wish
the gay dresses Janet met them and almost
forcibly put them out of the room.
Il beg you girls, to kave little respect
for poor grandma-she is very Ill to o-night. :"
Nonsense! Don't be a fool, Janet
anybody would think she was dying"
Il believe she is
Their reply came in violent slam of
the door, and Janet was left alone with her
patient.
The hours dragged wearily, and overcome
by her long sleepless watches, Janet fell
fast asleep.
Two hour later she awoke with a 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. | believe
her dying. You must go to DR.. Berne.
Y ou will find him at the ball. Go quickly !
She went back, and set there YEARLY
waiting for something-for sound, sign
from the dying woman; but none came.
Slowly, but perceptibly, the line settled
around the pleasant mouth, and the dark
shadows crept over the placid face, but no
sound issued from the pale lips.
Janet bent her cad There was faint
tlutter-no more, and Janet clasped her
hands Would grandma die there before
her eyes and never speak word?
She caught the cold hand in her own. and
cried aloud
Grandma speak to me speak to your