Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1872-08-29

to get rich husband, and position
on the very topmost round of the social
ladder at the same time, thus killing
two birds with one stone.
One day he called, and Rosa came
up to inform me that he was asking
for me. She had been dusting the
piano, and heard him. They had
told him that I was unwell.
resolved to turn the tables on
them, and went down.
"Good morning, Mr.. Wayne" :" I
said in my blandest manner not pre-
tending to notice the angry looks of
Aunt Dumont or the fr0wning face OF
Lucia.
IT was sorry to hear that you
were not WE'LL" he said, in his sof
and pleasant voice.
&C was never better IN my lite, |
said. II don't see how you got the
impression that I was sick"
He evidently mistrusted how mat
ters stood, and was wisely silent.
I couldn't help stealing sly glances
at Lucia occasionally, for he hardly
spoke to her after came in. l did
not try to keep him away from her.
He devoted himself to me of his own
free will. wondered why. Could
it be possible that he cared for me ?
My heart gave great throb at the
thought. 1t would be very sweet to
be loved by some kind, true heart.
Since father died, love had passed
me BY.
By-and-by, he took his departure,
and I knew by Aunt Dumont's brist-
ling plumes that she was on the war
path.
81 am shocked at your b,ldness
and effrontery," she began. Mr..
Wayne has the same as declared his
intel on u marrying your cousin,
and you intrude yourself upon him,
and force him to pay his attentions
wholly to you, knowing that he must
neglect Lucia in doing so. y
Perhaps she wants him herself,
said Lucia, scornfully. Il shouldn't
wonder.
"Is that the reason why you force
yourself upon his notice ~ demanded
Aunt Dumoat.' " Are you really
trying to win him away from his al
legiance to Lucia p
81 am not trying to win him from
his allegiance to Lucia" 1answered,
with curling lips. Il lave never
forced myself upon his attention II
he sees fit to talk with me its because
he wants TO. I have never tried to
catch him for a husband and l look
ed at Lucia. She colored, but tried
TO hide her bushes, Which were oI
such rale occurrence that size ought
to have been proud Of them, under a
sneer.
The next day Aunt Dumont and
Lncia went ont shopping. They had
not been gone long wien Brent Wayne
came. l went down TO the parlor
He greeted me- with IL smile, and a
pleasant. good morning
81 am sorry, but Lucia and Aunt
Dumont are OUT" 7 SAID. -
"I am not sorry he said. 6; !
Knew they were ont. That was why
| called.
What else could I think but that
he called to see me? Indeed his
manner toward me gave me no room
r. donbt He was so kind. so gentle
50 tender, that began to love him il
1 did not love him before.
We sang together, simple, old
fashioned songs, but none the worse
for that. Before he rose to go the
clock struck FIVE.
al have spent a very pleasant af
ternoon, he said. "I hope to SEE
YOU often in the future >
In the hal he met Aunt Dumont
aud Lucia.
How long has Mr.. Wayne beer
here ?" asked Aunt Dumont, coming
directly into the parlor.
sTwo or three hours" I answered
He asked fol- US, Of course"
He did not" answered. "Hs
said he knew you were not at home.
Il suppose you thought he came
to see you, said Lucia, with scorn.
full laugh.
~ infer from what he said that he
DID," l answered quietly.
"Bertha Crawford, / am ashamed
of you" said Aunt Dumont, 81
am positively certain, from what
have seen, that you are laying plans
to win Mr.. Wayne away from Lucia
4 You are acting base, ungrateful
part. You do not care how. much
you wound Lucia's feelings, provided
you carry your point. I shall take
it upon myself to open MIR. Wayne's
teyes to the. facts of the case, and
show him how he has been deceived
He probably thinks you are an art
less y ung lady, and hasn't an idea
howsyou are ,scheming to- win him
away from the heart be Aas wsa."