The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1870-07-30

/ and h6r eyes were llICeu SmlllnSly
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 boy
And the fine gentleman came
and gave both hands to her in his
delight.
Janet, my little playmate, too !!
What happy meeting! Clara
came down dressed for call, and
declared she would come, but |
told her no! knew the amount
of gsllan,ry 1 should feel obliged
to use. and I preferred that nv
| first visit should be like the old
ones.
You are right. We are better
pleased 10 have it so, are we not,
Jsnet ?
His call heightened itself into
two hours, and and during that
time he told pleasant stories and
chatted like the boy Of by gone
davs, but net once did Mtrgaret's
or Lettie' name pas his lips.
When he went away he met them
coming with disappointed faces,
from the parlor, where they had
been waiting for him but be only
lifted his hat and passed out. Then
grandma and Janet received
sound -colding, such as only these
two knew now to give. and the
shadows OF discomfort again fell on
Janet's spirit.
Ah. that long. cherries winter
VIII It stories Jan.t corl t Ill you of
dIsappointmen,s, of happy parties
of which she had no share, OF
moonlight rides, Of joy and merri-
ment She had only that one com
forter. kind. p .tient grard ma for
now that Mr. Bosworth ba come,
the way was harder than batoie
He came and escorted Lettie to
parties, and sometimes chatted
with grandma, bus 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 awly-and
Lettie never told ner how often he
asked for her.
Alone with grandma. Janet
wished for better things. and
wondered why she was SO harsh
ly 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 help-waiting upon her.
yielding to the childish whims,
and shutting out everything youth
full and beautiful from her sight,
Playing househol angel Mar
garet said.
Working for grandma's fortune
Of old shoes AMI worsted stock
ings,' Lettie cruelty added.
Doing her duty by the faithful
woman who had taken the three
motlerless children into her heart,
and filled the lost ones place, SO
far as God permitted her own
heart said, and steadily she worked
on.
The first of May brought invi
tations to the last ball at the Bos-
worth House, and while the two
elder sisters LAID ont the finery,
Janet folded her tiny missive and
hid it away next to her heart, as
sacred bit of papar. bearing Aus
tins firm. broad chirography upon
it.
That night Grandma was very
i'll. and when Margaret and Lettie
fu'tered in with their gay dresses
Janet Leeds met them AMI almost
forciblv put them out OF the room.
Il beg you. girls. I'd have little
respect for poor grandma-she IS
verv Ill Tonight
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 YEARLY. and
overcome by her long, sleepless
watches, Janet fell asleep.
Two hours later she aweke with
n staIt, and in an instant she saw
that dread change in her grand
mas face.
Like one in dream she walked
to her fathers door, and awakened
him
Father, grandma is worse. l
believe her dying. You must go
for DIR. Berne You will find him
at the ball. Go quickly!
She wen. back, and sat there
wearily waiting Cor something
to-. a sound, sign from tue dying
woman, but none came. Slowly,
but perceptibly, the lines settled
around the placid mouth, and the
dark shadows crept over the placid
face, but no sound issued from the
pale lips.
Janet bent her head. There
was faint dutter no more. and
Janet clasped her hands. Would
grandma die t1ere before her
eyes, and never speak a word :?
She caught the cold hand in her
own, and cried aloud:
Grandma! speak to me! speak
tt your little Janet! Don't you
here me, grandma?
But grandma heard nothing.
The chillness Of death had set
tied down and even as she knelt