The Plymouth Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1869-1941, 1870-07-07
JANET,S FORTUNE.

ting work? If so, you need not leave it
with me. Janet will use it to far better
advantage than could"
eyes, Lettie, you are right; and I'm
sure don't want it, either. Hin, what a
fortune, to be surep
I'll accept 1t, grandma, and prize it, if
you will only add your sweet, contented
disposition. 1t would be fortune which
none of us need desplse."
Janet Leeds was the youngest of the
family, and the plainest. She had a
sweet, fresh face, and tender eyes; but
these pSled into ugliness before Lettie's
black orbs and shining curls, and the
blonde loveliness of belle Margaret So
she settled back like a modest violet in
the chimney corner, and waited on her
grandma, or assisted the maid in the house
work.
Once in awhile she venture6 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 chat.
ting with grandma, she felt deal of real
discontentment for the first time in
months.
Clara Bosworth, her bosom friend, was
to give a 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 a
new winters cloak that Lettie's green silk
might be retrimmed for the occasion, and
the best dress she had in the world was a
plain garnet colOred pOplin with black
velvet trimmings.
She had family suggested that she
iri,t fhof hnf no Of
sisters silenced her.
go and wear that old poplin!" cried
Lettie, from the clouds of white billowy
lace that was to adOrn the green silk
"Y ou must be crazy!'
q should think So" chimed Margaret,
who was fitting lace berthe over the
waist of delicate lilac satin. "Do you
want Austin Bosworth to think us family
of paupers? 1t is to be grand affair, and
Clara expects all who honor it will try tC
pay her respect enough to dress respect
ably. 1t is Austin's first appearance after
his European tour, and surely you do moi
want him to think mean of us?"
The tears came up, but Janet was brave
and no one saw them.
That night, when the two girls-the one
| in her dark beauty and wonderfully be
coming array; the other all delicacy, hel
fair, pearl loneliness enhanced by the pale
purple color of her splendid dress-came
laughing into grandma's room, little
shadow darkened her face, and she founC
it very hard to keep back the tears.
Fine feathers make fine birds, but flint
birds do not always sing the sweetest
jamie, said grandma, after they were gone
l know who is the trueione in this family
/ know my little singing bird, jamie, an(
she is dearer than dozen fine ladies
Austin and Clara will come tomorrow
and he will tell us about his travels il
foreign lands, and you will be far happier
than you would be at the house tonight
with dancing and confusion"
81 suppose so, grandma" and Janet tool
her seat by the fire and went on knitting
with peaceful face.
The elder sisters came home will
rumpled plumagc, but in high spirits.
Austin BOswOrth had returned hand
some, polished gentleman, and had fiirted
desperately with Lettie.
Why, grandma, he almost proposed t.
her" laughed Margaret, who was en-
gagged to Judge Leonard's hopeful son
and therefore had no place for jealousy
"More than one of the company predicted
that it would be a match"
Don't count your chickens before the
are hatched," called grandma from he
pillow. "Mr. Austin Bosworth is no foo
l can tell you"
"What an old croaker"
They were entering their chambe
across the hall, but grandmother's ear
were not dulled by old age, and she clear
ly heard them.
Don't mind them, grandma" whis
pered Janet, who had waited to help then
lay aside their inery.
mind them Do you think l shall
Janet Leeds ?"
Next day Austin Bosworth came. III
was too familiar with the old house t
stop for bell -ringing, and he entered
crossing the hall directly past the parlo
door, where Margaret and Lettie watt
in their tasteful afternoon costumes, an
walked straight on to Grandma Leeds
room.
She was there with her work, he
placid face btaming beneath the whit
lace bordered cap.
A graceful, girlish figure half knelt b.
fore her, wreathing with def fingers
bunch of evergreens into frame for
mantle ornament, and her eyes WEI
lifted smiling into the old lady's face.
He entered and closed the door befor
either saw him.
"Grandma Leedsl"
"Why bless my heart, it Ia Austin
Come here my bOyl"
And the fine gentleman came and CAV
both hands to her in his delight
, jamie, my little playmate, tool WIS
a happy meeting Clara came dow
! dressed for a call, and declared she woul
come, but L told her mol l knew I'll
amount of gallantry should feel oblige
to use, and preferred that my first Wis
should be like the old ones"
You are right We are better please
!, to have it SO, are we not, Janet?"
: His call heightened itself into two hour
and during the time he told pleasal
stories and chatted like the boy of b.
: gone days, but not once did Margaret's
Lettie's name pass his lips.
When he went away he met them con
! ing, with disappointed faces, from I'll
, parlOr, where they had been waiting +,
him but ne only lifted his hat and passt
out. Then grandma and jamie receive
sound scolding, such as only these Nv
knew how to give, and the shadows
discomfort again fell on Janet,s spirit.
All, that long, cherries winter VIII
:, story Janet could tell you of disal
D pointments, of happy parties of whic
:, she had no share, of moonlight rides,
I joy and merrimentl She had only tn;
4 one comforter, kind, patient grandma [,
now that Austin Bosworth had come. II
1 way was harder than before.
t He came and escorted Lettie TO partie
g and sometimes chatted with grandma. b,
}, nothing more. She saw nothing NOR