The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1873-02-06
Written for the Standard
DOWN BY THE RIVER SIDE.
BIZ CONSTANCE CARLETON.
Chapter XIV,

Mr.. and Miss Leonard were pleaSeQ
with the luxurious home of their niece,
but still they did not feel quite comforta-
BILE in it, and declared that things were
too fine to be used. The servant behind
her chair was constant source of annoy
ance to aunt Betty, who finally begged
Kate to send him away, declaring that
she couldn't swaller her victuals in any
peace with that feller always lookin' at
her and watchin' every bite she took"
Conway groaned in spirit when they
stated their intention of remaining sew
eraI weeks, and gave orders to the SER
wants to admit no visitors during their
stay.
Kate was determined that they should
and took them to every place of interest
in the city. She proposed taking them
to the theatre or opera, but the old
couple objected on the ground that it was
not right.
why, what if our preacher should
hear of my bein' at sich placeP' said
aunt Betty He'd be most sure to take
a text for my benefit, and look square at
me all the time he was preachin', and I'd
feel as if everybody in the meetin' house
was lookin' at me and sayin' You've
been to the theatre.
you wouldn't object to going to the
opera, would you auntie? There is surely
no harm in listening to fine music"
THAT is as bad as the theatre" said
Conway, before she had time to reply.
For there is so much envy and ill-feel-
ing among the singers, that it is really
sinful to encourage them by ones's pres
ence." And he assumed look of the
most perfect christian virtue. Kate
looked at him in astonishment and was
about to ask when he had experienced
such change of opinion, when slight
lifting of the eyebrows of her lord and
master caused her to keep silent. Aunt
Betty concluded that Bertram was quite
q pious young man, and wondered why
she had never discovered it before
Kate" exclaimed the old lady one
morning at the breakfast-table, you'll
never be able to guess who was to see us
not long ago"
mo indeed" replied her neice with
smile, "You will be obliged to tell me"
well, it was Victor Hays. He come
down to tend to some business and staid
a day and night with u.s. He said that
Oakwood was so gloomy with nobody
there but the housekeeper and her hus-
band, that he couldn't bear to stay there,
and that he wanted to visit us any way
There seems to be somethin' weighin' on
his mind, poor boy! He looked quite
pale, and there was sich sad look in
his blue eyes that it made my heart ache
to look at him. l says to him says /
Victor, have you got any notion of gittin'
married? You know I've been acquaint-
ed with him ever since he was little
boy, and l didn't think it was any ways
imperdent for me, an old woman, to ask
him. L shall never marry, aunt Betty
says he. oh you orient to say that
says I. You may see some girl that
suits you, and marry afore body has
time to say Jack Robinson. There is
not the least probability of such thing
a young man like you, handsome and
rich to talk that way. Didn't you ever
fall in lover, He said: Yes aunt Betty,
once, only once 'Wouldn't she have
your continued 1. No, aunt Betty; she
labored under cruel mistake; and mar
ried some one else
The cup of delicate china which Kate
had raised to her lips fell with a crash
from her nerveless fingers, and she was
glad to screen her face from her hus-
bands searching glance, behind the arm
of the servant who cleared away the
debris.
kate, how keerless you are" said her
aunt. Il never saw you do sich an awk-
ward thing afore. But you needn't feel
so bad about it child" she added kindly,
noticing Kate's pale face. II reckon you
can buy another one like it without much
trouble, and the set won't be spilled after
all. Well, as was sayin', after Victor
had told me that, he looked kinder
frightened, and told me not to mention
it to anybody else, and of course would
mt outside of the family. He didn't say
much about you Kate, which kinder
s'prised me, as you used to be sich good
friends l was tellin' him about Bertram
payin' off that orful mortgage, and how
that was the first time we knew you was
promised to each other, and Victor said
low to himself Poor KateP l don't see
why he said that, I'm sure, for it pears
to me you married as we'll as anybody
could He might meant some other
Kate however"
you'll break another cup if you are
not careful" said Conway sarcastically to
his wife, and there was something in his
glance that made Kate shudder o why
had not aunt Betty kept silent? Kate
was almost afraid to hear her next words
But the old lady, unconscious of the mis-
chief she had done, went on with her
breakfast and spoke not
Il am afraid you are taking the loss of
that cup too much to heart" remarked
Conway sneeringly, seeing that his wife
did not eat. Never mind, l will buy
another for you if you can manage to
survive the loss of this one. Poor
Katie"
1t was day of mishaps; everything
seemed to go wrong That afternoon
when they were all in the drawing-room
4Lo l0or hill