National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1870-05-13
He entered and closed the door,
befOie either saw him.
Grandma 1eedsp

Ana the hne gentleman came and /
gave both hands to her in his de-
light.
jamie, my little playmate, too -
What happy meeting! Clara came
down, dressed for a call, and declar-
ed she would come, but | told her |
no! | knew the amount of gallantry
| should feel obliged to use, and |
preferred that my first visit should
be like the old ones
you are right. We are better
pleased to have it so, are we not,
Janet p
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 Margaret's or Lettie's name pass
his lips.
When he went away he met them
coming with disappointed faces from
the paror, where they had been
waiting for him; but he only lifted
his hat and passed out. Then grand
ma and Jennie received "A sound
scolding as only these two know
how to give, and the shadows OF
discomfort again fell on Janets
spirit.
All, that long, cheerless winter. F..
What a story Jenet could tell
You Of disappolntmcnts, of happy
parties of which she had no share,
of moonlight rides, of JOY und mer
riment. /. She had only that one
comforter, kind, patient grandma
for now that Austin BOsworth had
come, the way was harder than be>
| fore.
He came and escorted Lettie to
| parties, and sometimes chatted with
grandma, but nothing more. She
saw nothing more-she did not
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 wish
ed for better things, and wondered
why she was SO harshly dealt with.
At last even the society of her
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 ont
everything youthful and beautiful
from her sight.
playing household angel Mar
garet said.
Working for grandma'S fortune
of old shoes and worsted stockings,
Lcttir cruelty added.
/ Doing her duty by the faithful
woman WHO had taken the three
motherleSS children into beI own
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 invita-
tionS to the last ball at the Bos
worth house, and while the two cl
der sisters laid out the tinery, Janet
folded her tiny mlSSlve, and Ind 1t
NV ay next to her heart as a sacred
bit of paper, bearing Austin's firm
broad chlrography upon it.
That night grandma was very ill
and when Margaret and Lettic tiut
tered IN with their gay dresses, ia
net met them, and almost tOrclbII
put them out of the room.
Il beg you, girls, to have a little
respect for grandma she is very il
tonight"
Nonsense! Don't be fool, Janet
, anybody wo'd 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, an,
overcome by her long, SleepleeS;
, watches, Janet fell fast asleep.
Two hours later she awoke Will
a start. and in an instant she saS
| that dread change visible in grand
). mas face.
Like one in a dream, she wallte'
to her fathers door and awakened
=. him.
y Father, grandma is worse. | be
= licve her dying. You must go 70
-, Dr. Berne. You will find him a
the ball. Go quickly! !
. She went back, and sat ther
4, YEARLY waiting for something-to
a sound, sign from the dying We
man; but none came.
Slowly, but perceptibly, the line
- settled around the pleasant mouth
/. and the dark shadows crept over tn
/ placid face, but no sound issuc'
from the pale lips.
- Janet bent her head. There y q
|, faint ilutter-no more, and sll
clasped her hands. Would giint
II ma die there before her eyes, III
never speak wordY
i, She caught the old hand in le
Il own, and cried aloud;
1 Grandma! speak to me! spca
:. to your little Janet! Don't you hee
p. me, grandma ~
Ir But grandma heard nothing. TlI
Il chillness of death bad settled dow
n and even as she knelt there, I'll
breath He'd and Janet was alone.
II She understood it all when vi
q arose, and she sank back half fain
ing in the arm chair.
If s,Inupt my ppor IurliuUN