The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1870-07-22
JAGET'S FORTUNE.

"And whcc l die 1 Siit,! leave my
fortune to tie unc who will use it to
t:ic best advantage" said Grandr,a
Iced smiling from behind her spec
tuclcs to the young girl !'c!,;:,L her.
"Iour fortune, Granima? What
will it be? That old basket, with its
horrid yarn and needles, and the
never ending knitting work. If so,
you need not leave it with me. Janet
will use it to Il far better advantage
than l could"
Eyes, Lettic, You arc right; and l
an sure don't want it either. LIN
what 4 fortune to be nurc!'
'l'll accept it: grandma. and prize
il, if you will only add your sweet
cjhtented disposition. 1t would be a
fortune which none Of US need dc
spise."
Janet Lccds was the youngest of
the family, and the p!ainest. She
had q sweet, fresh face, and tender
eyes; but these palcd into uglincss
before Lc!1;u'e t!orlt orbs and shining
curle: and the 3orcincss Of bu!lc Mar
yaret. SO sic settled back like
modest violet in tho chimney corner.
und.waitcd on granlm:, or assisted
the maid in the houscwofI1.
Once in n while she venturcd out to
Il party in the village, but so seldom
that people never observed her. That
made it unpleasant and She staid
homo still closer.
But on that morning, willie thew
sat chatting with grandma, she felt
deal Of real discontcntment for the
first time in months.
Clara Boswcrth her bosom friend,
WAS to give a party that evening, and
She could not go For weeks p,~paru-
tons had been going on in their quiet
family. She had given up the money
saved for Il new winter clu;.h, that
Lcttic's green silk might Ee rctrim-
med for the occasion, and the best
dress She had in the world WAS PLATA
garnet -ccIored popiin with black vel
vet trimmings.
She had iaintly suggested that she
might Wear that, but tho cry OF dis
! may from her sisters sile:vcd her.
80 and wear that old porlin !"
cried Lcttie, from the clouds Of white
billowy lace that was to adorn the
green silk. "You must be crazy r'
Il should think so:' cliimcd Marga-
ret, who was fitting a lace berthe over
the waist Of the delicate lilac satin
"Do you want Austin Bosworth to
think us family Of paupers? It is
to be O grand affair, and Clara expects
all who ho,.or it with their presence
to pay her respect enough to dress
respectfully. 1t is Austin's first ap-
pcarancc after the European tour, and
surely you do not want him to think
mean of usP'
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 won
dcrfully becoming array, the other all
deIicacy, her fair, pearl loneliness ell
HANGED by the pale purple color Of her
splendid drcss-camc laughing into
room, q little shadow dalkencd her
face, and she found it very hard t.
keep back the tears.
Fine feathers make fine birds, but
fino birds do not always sing the
sweetest, jamie" said grandma. after
they were gone. IL know who is tho
true ono in this family. l know my
little singing bird, jamie, and she i.
dearcr than dozen fno ladies. Aus
tin and Clara will come tomorrow
and he will tell us all about his travels
in foreign lands, and you will be fa,
happier than you would be up at the
house tonight, with dancing and con
fusion"
~ suppose SO, grandma" and janet
took her seat by the fire and went Oh
knitting with q peaceful smile.
The elder sisters camo homo will
rumpled plumage, but in high spirits
Austin Bosworth had returned,
handsome, polished gentlemen, AM
had fiirted desperately with Lette.
"Why, gran"ma, he almost propos
ed to her!" laughed Margaret, VIII,
was engaged to Judge Leonards hope
full son, and therefore had no plac
for jealousy. "More than one Of tn
company predicted taat it would b
"Don't count your chickens bofor
they arc hatched," called grandm
from her pillow. - -
"Mr: Austin Bosworth is no fool,
can tell you.
"What an old croakeI I" ,....
They were entering their chambe
across. the hall, but grandmother's ear
were not dulled by nge, and sho clear
S 1y heard them.