The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1871-02-09

past the parlor-door where Marga-
ret and Lettie waited in their taste
full costumes, and walked straight
on to grandma Leeds room.
She was there with her work, her
placid face beaming beneath the
laee-bordered cap.
A graceful, girlish figure, half
kneit beside her, wreathing with
deft fingers a bunch of evergreens
into frame for amante1 oIaament
and her eyes were lifted smilingly
to the old lady's face.
He entered and closed the door
before either saw him.
"Grandma Leedsp'
"Why, bless my heart, it is Aus
tin! Come here, my boyF
And the fine gentleman came and
gave both his hands to her in his
delight.
"Janie, my little playmate, too!
What happy meeting! Clara came
down dressed for a call and declar-
ed she would come, but I told her
mol I knew the amount of gallant
ry I 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,
Janet2
His call heightened itself into
hours, and during the time he told
pleasant stories and ehatted like the
boy Of bygone 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 parlor, where they had
been waiting for him; but he only
lifted his hat and passed out. Then
grandma and jamie received a good
scolding, such as only these two
knew how to give, and the shadows
Of discomfort again fell on Janets
spirit.
Ah, that long, cheerless winter!
What a story Janet could tell you
of disappointments, of happy par
ties of which she had no share, of
moonlight rides, ofjoy and merri-
ment! She had only that one COM
forter, kind, patient grandma; for
now that Austin Bosworth had come
the way was harder than before.
He had come and escorted Lettie
to parties, and sometimes chatted
with grandma, but 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 out |
everything youthful aud beautiful
from her sight.
playing household angel Mar
garet said.
working for grandma's fortune
ofoId shoes and worsted stockings"
Lettie cruelty added.
Doing her duty by the faithful
woman who had taken the three
motherless children into her heart,
and filed 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 Bosworth
house, and while the two elder sis
ters laid on their finery, Janet fold
ed her tiny missive and hid it away
next to her heart, as a sacred bit Of
paper, bearing Austin's firm, broad
chirography upon it.
That night grandma was very i'll,
and when Margaret and Lettie fut-
tered in with their gay dresses, ia
net met them and almost forcibly
put them out of the room.
I beg you, girls, to have little
respect for poor grandma-she is
very i'll tonight"
sNonsense! Don't be fool, Janet
anybody would think she was dy-
ing"
4 believe she is"
Their reply came in a violent
slam of the door, and Janet was left
alone with her patient.
The hours dragged wearily, and
overcome by her long, sleepless
watches, Janet fell fast asleep.
Two hours later she awoke with
a start, and in an instant she saw
that dread change visible in grand
mas face.
Like one in a dream, she walked
to her fathers door and awakened
him.
Father, grandma is worse-I be
lieve her dying. You must go to
DR.. Berne. You viii find him at the