The Placer herald., 1871-10-28

which l thought at first seemed to SUIT all
around.
But after little while saw John casting
uneasy glances towards the place where Mr..
Devereux-looking superbly handsome-sat
talking with my aunt.
"Y GU needn't be jealous Of him, John, !
said. Hes only my teacher
John started and leaned back in his chair
without word.
Neither of the gentlemen staid very late,
Jonh going away directly after Mr.. Devereux,
and | went to my room elated with my
prosperity, or rather the prosperity of my
plans.
did not need assistance in my studies be-
fore Mr.. DevereuX came again, and after a
short time it became regular thing for him
to spend an evening once or twice week
with us. With us, say, because | could
see that, though he admired my Aunt Kath-
crime very much, he had too good taste to
monopolize her company entirely, to the cx-
cluson of mine. | always enjoyed these
evenings very much. 1t seemed to me that
Mr.. Deyereux grew remarkably agreeable
very fast. Sometimes John would come in,
but John seemed to have grown strange and
moody Of late. l thought it was because
Mr.. Devereux was at our house SO much
and endeavored to please him by extra at
tention when he did spend an evening with
us, but it didn't seem TO be Of much use. |
resented his silence and inattention to me-
one night, and after that he didn't come near
us for nearly month. But we seemed to
get along just as well without him-at least
| did, though Aunt Katherine asked me a
number of times about the cause of his alb
sencc.
" He is sulky, | suppose. Don't fret
about me, Aunt Katherine; it don't trouble
me at ALL | said.
A few evenings after, John made his ap-
pearancc and entered the parlor where Mr.
Devereux and sat playing chess, while my
aunt was writing letter at a side table, |
thought it would be rather awkward for him
at first, but he came forward easily, and af-
ter speaking to Mr.. Devereux and myself,
crossed the room and seated himself by my
aunt. Pleased with this arrangement,
devoted myself to my game, and did not
look around for some half hour afterwards,
when my attention was attracted by the
sound of John Aubreys voice, which, though
low, was remarkably earnest and emphatic.
turned my head and gazed in wonder. My
aunts checks were flushed crimson, and
Johns face, as seen by me for an instant,
was pale and agitated. | turned to Mr.
Devereux in astonishment, but he only smiled
slightly. made move, and then waited for
me to do the same. But could not play
for my excitement caused by the scene had
observed a moment before, and lost the game
| through inatcntion.
"Shall we play again q said Mr.. Devc-
reuX.
shook my head, and he replaced the
pieces in box, and then took up book.
The next moment John arose, and my aunt
went with him to the door. She did not
come back for some time, and when she did,
Mr.. Devereux was preparing to go. He
looked up quickly at her entrance, and then
asked her, laughingly, if it was amicabiy
settled, and if he might congratulate her.
She hlushed, but said " Yes, at some other
time" and badc him good night I had
stood by in round-eyed wonder and bewilder
ment.
When the door closed on him, my aunt
looked steadily at me for a moment, then
laughed, and finally burst into hysteric tears.
l was frightened. She put her arm about
me.
Addie, are you sure you didn't like
John ?" she asked.
"I believe did a little last winter, but
don't at all now"
" Are you sure?'
"Quite sure" l replied. " lie is so sui
len and"
Wail-do you knoy who you are talk
ing to 2"
What do you mean, Aunt katherine ?"
"I am John Aubrey's betrothed wife,
Adder and she laughed and then cried
again.
! stood mutely staring at her. At last l
found words to say:
Why, Aunt Katherine, thought it was
Iwhom John was in love withw
She shook her head
And thought Mr.. Devereux was in
love with YOU"
You must ask him about that" she
said, smiling through her tears.
And did ask him the next evening while
we stood by an open window, and my Aunt
katherine sat by John Aubrey in the cosy
corner where used to sit with him.
els it possible that you haven't been
courting Aunt Katherine all this time, Mr.
Devereux ?" said.
How he laughed!
Is it possible that you don't know that
I've been courting you all this time p be
retorted.
Mr.. Devereuxw
But he wasn't jesting-and neither was l
when promised year later to love,
honor and obey " him through life.
John Aubrey and my Aunt Katherine
were married at the same time, which my
aunt declared was a great saving of trouble
and wedding cake
MoTTO for cat show-Come to the
scratch.