The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1870-07-16
MiSrrllanp.
JANET'S FORTUNE.

SAID UEdnCma LeeuS, Uculuu uei
spectacles to the young girls around her.
"Your fortune, grandma what will it be !:
That old basket, with its horrid yarn and Nee
dies, and the never-ending knitting work: 1T
60, you need not leave it with me. Janet will
use it to a far better advantage than l could.
R"Yes, Lettie, YOU are right: and I'm sure
don't want it. HIM! what fortune, to be sure!'
"Tll accept it, grandma, and prize it, If you
will only add your sweet, contented disposition.
1t would be fortune which none OF US need de.
spise"
Janet Leeds was the Youngest of the family,
and the plainest. She had sweet, fresh face,
and tender eyes; but these paled into ugliness
before Letties black orbs and shining curls, and
the blonde lovelines of belle Margaret. So she
settled back like modest violet in the chimney
corner, and waited on her grandma, or assisted
the maid in her homework.
Once in awhile she ventured out to a party
IN the village, but so seldom that people never
observed her. That made it unpleasant, and she
staid at home still closer
But that morning, while they sat chatting
with grandma, she felt deal of real discomfort
ment for the first time in months.
Clara Boswortb, her bosom friend, was to give
party that evening, and she could not go. For
weeks preparations had been going on in their
quiet family. She had given up the money
saved for new winters cloak that Letties green
silk might be retrimmed for the occasion, and
the best dress she had in the world a plain
garnet-colored poplln with black velvet trim.
mings.
She had family suggested that she might wear
that, but the dismay of her sisters silenced her.
go and wear that old poplin." cried Lettle
from the cloud of white billowy lace that was
to adorn the green silk.
II should think so,'' chimed Margaret, who
was fitting a lace berthe over the waist of deli.
cate lilac satin. do you want Austin Bos-
~, Il. sc T. 81
be grand affair." and Clara expects all who hon
or it will try to pay her respect enough to dress
respectfully 1t is Austin's first appearance af-
ter his European tour and surely you do not
wish him to think mean of u.s."
The tears came up, but Janet was brave and
no one saw them.
That night when the two sirls--the one in
her dark beauty and wonderfully becoming ar
ray: the other all delicacy, her fair, pearl love-
illness enhanced by the pale purple color of her
splendid dress-came laughing into grandma's
room little shadow darkened her face, and she
found it very hard to keep back the tears.
Fine feathers make fine birds, but fine birds
do not always sing the sweetest, JAMIE" said
grandma, after they were gone II know who is
the true one in this family. I know my little
singing bird, jamie, and she is dearer than
dozen fine ladies. Austin and Clara will come
tomorrow, and he will tell US about his travels
than you would be at the house tonight, with
dancing and confusion
II suppose SO. grandma and Janet took her
seat by the fire and went on knitting, with
peaceful face.
The elder sisters came home with rumpled
plumage but in high spirits
Austin Bosworth had returned handsome,
polished gentleman, and had firted desperately
with Lettie
"Why, grandma, he almost proposed to her"
laughed Margaret who was engaged to Judge
Leonards hopeful son, and therefore had no
place for jealousy more than one of the COM
pany predicted that it would be a match"
"Dont count your chickens before they are
hatched,' called grandma from her pillow. mr..
Austin Bosworth is no tool, can tell YOU
What an old croaker :"
They were entering their chamber across the
hall, but grandmsthers ears were not dulled by
old age, and she clearly heard them
Don't mind them, grandma" whispered ia.
net, who had waited to help them lay aside their
fnery.
Mind them! Do you think shall, Janet
Leeds?'
Next day Austin Bosworth came He was too
familiar with the old house to stop for bel-ring-
ing, and he entered, crossing the hall directly
past the parlor door, where Margaret and Lettie
waited in their tasteful afternoon costumes and
walked straight on to Grandma Leeds room.
She was there with her work, her placid face
beaming beneath the white lace bordered cap
A graceful, girlish figure half knelt before
her, wreathing with deft fingers bunch of ever
greens into frame for mantle ornament, and
her eyes were lifted smiling into the old ladv's
face.
He entered and closed the door before either
saw him.
'Grandma Leeds"
why bless my heart, it is Austin Come
here, my boy :"
AVID the fine gentleman came and gave both
hands to her in his delight
jamie my little playmate, too! What hap.
Ply meeting. Clara came down, dressed for "A
call, and declared she would come, but told
her no! | knew the amount of galla.try I
should feel obliged to use. and Preferred that
my first visit should be like the old ones"
GU are right. We are better pleased to
have 1t so, are we not, Janet :"
His call heightened itself into two hours, and
during the time he told pleasant stories and
chatted like the boy of by-gone days, but not
once did Margarcts or Lettie's name pass lis
lips.
When he went away he met them coming
with disappointed faces from the parlor where
they had been waiting tor him bat lie only lift
ed his hat and passed out. Then grandma and
Jane received sound Seeding. such AS only
these two knew how to give and the shadows OF
discomfort again tell on Jauet'- spirit
All. that long, cheerlcsSs winter What a starry
Janet could tell you of di,appoiutments. of hmm.
Ply parties Of which she had no share of moon.
light rides of Joy and morrmeut She had only
that one comforter, kind p,tiert grandma Tor
now That Austin Bosworth had come, the w,v
was harder than before.
lie came ana escorted Lcttic to parties and