The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1871-01-26

brave, and no one saw them.
That night when the two girls-the
one in her dark beauty and wonderful.
ly becoming array, the other all deli.
cacy, her fair pearl lovcliness enhanced
by the pale purple color of her splen.
did dress-came laughing into grand
| mas room room, a little shadow dark.
cned her face, and she found it very
hard to keep back the tears.
"Fine feathers make fine birds, but
fine birds do not always sing the sweet
est, Janic," said grandma, after they
were gone. II know who is tho true
Que in this family. know my little
singing bird, jamie, and she is dearer
than dozen fno ladies. Austin and
Clara will come tomorrow, and he will
tell us all about his travels in foreign
lands, and you will be far happier than
|you would be up at the house tonight,
amid dancing and confusion.
]. II snpposo 30, grandma" and Janet
took her seat by the fire and went on
knitting, with peaceful face,
Tho eldest sisters came homo with
rumplcd plumage, but in high spirits.
| Austin Bosworth had returned, q
handsome, polished gentleman, and
airted desperately with Lettie, .
"Why, grandma, he almost proposed
to her." laughed Margaret, who was
engaged to Judge Leonards hopeful
son, and therefore, had no place for
jealousy. "More than one of che COM
pany predicted that 1t would be
match"
"Don't count your chickens before
they arc hatched," called grandma
from her pillow. "Austin Bosworth is
40 fool, l can tell youw
"What an old croaker!"'
They were entering their chamber
across the hall, but grandma's ears
were not dulled by age, and she clearly
heard them. --... -.-.-
"Don't mind them, grandma" whis-
pered Janet, who had waited to help
them lay aside their fincry.
"Mind them! Do you think shall:
Janet Leeds2"
Next day Austin Bosworth came.
IIo was too familiar with the old house
to stop for bcll-ringing, and he entered,
crossing the hall directly past the par
lordoor where Margaret and Lettie
waited in their tasteful afternoon cos
tunes, and walked straight on to
Grandma Leeds room.
She was there with her work, her
placid face beaming beneath the lace
bordered cap. ..
A graceful, girlish figure, half knclt
beside her, wrcathing with deft fingers
q bunch Of evergrecns into frame for
mantle ornament, and her eyes were
lifted smilingly to tho old lady's face.
He entered and closed the door bc. !
fore either saw him.
"Grandma Leeds!'
"Why, bless my heart, it is Austin !!
Come hero, tny boy"
And tho fine gentleman came and
gavo both hands to her in his delight. |
"Janie, my little playmate, too
What u happy meeting! Clara came
down dressed for call, and declared
she would come, but told her no! /
knew the amount of gallantry ] should
feel obliged to use, aud I preferred
that my first visit should be like tho
old ones"
"You are right. We are better
pleased to have it so-are We not,
JanctY"
His call Heightened itself into 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 parlor, Nhero they had been wait
ing for him; but ho only lifted his hat
and passed out. Then grandma and
jamie received sound scolding, such
as only these two knew how to give,
and the shadows of discomfort again
fell on Jancts spirit.
All, that long, cheerless winter
What a story Janet could tell you of
disappointmcnts, of happy parties OF
which she had no share, of moonlight
rides, OF joy and morriment! She had
only that one comforter, kind, patient
grandma; for now that Austin Bos-
worth had como, 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
Lettie never told her how
often he asked for her.