Eaton weekly Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1866-1875, 1873-11-27
EATON OHIO, THURSDAY NOVEMBER 81, 1873

ing me how L would like to furnish q
room, what I thought of different house
hold arrangements, and puttidg odd
questions, that seem at if they could
have had but one meaning"
'tAnd that was what ?"
"Yhat he meant to ask me to share
his home"
I" I think he does; Cora. Indeed, he
told me the same thing"
"Be his wife I' Cora Hills face was
very pale as she said this.
AZ think he will ask you, dear. He
will be kind, good husband, Cora"
"Too kind, too good to have me for a
wife I could respect him, I do now
can give him gratitude beyond measure,
and could be dutiful and affectionate,
but-Oh, help me, auntie, help me p :.
"My darling, no one can help you. )"
"He is SO good to Jennie, to Eddy
Such a brother for them should recon
Gle me to anything. For their sake I
could marry him and be a good, true
wife, I know that. But he deserves
more than that p e. .r.. -.-
Sadly her listener echoed the words,
He certainly deserved love for love when
he married. '- lFs..E st fr-
The friends talked together far into
the night, but it was like circle of
conversation, returning ever to the same
theme. When they separated, it was
with o vague idea of waiting till the
words were spoken that would force
decision, before the decision should be
made. '+ 1873
The work of preparing the new home
went forward rapidly. The loveliest of
flowers were selected for conservatory;
Jennie was in ecstacies at being allowed
to choose all the things for her own
room; guest chamber was prepared
according to Cora's taste nursery ar
ranged for Eddy, and before Thanksgiv-
ing all was ready, and the master of the
house issued his invitations for a family
DINNER party, requesting as favor that
his lady guests would put aside their
mourning for that day. Still the mo-
mentous words were not spoken.
Henrietta was in her own room, ar
ranging her soft brown hair, and con-
templating the glories of a new black
silk dress, with rich blue satin trim
mings, soft lace and pretty ribbons, when
Cora tapped at the door. ...
"Let me come in I am all ready,
and the children have already started.
The carriage will come back for you and
I. Jennie looked very pretty in her
crimson dress, and Eddy is picture in
his new suit of velveteens, and crazy
over his first pair of pants"
"Your dress is becoming, too"
It was a silk of the most beautiful
violet color, with a great deal of soft,
white lace about it. In the golden curls
the young girl had twisted violet rib
bons. and the color suited her fair
beauty admirably. But the ladies were
very pale, and had no holiday smiles
they spoke but little, yet in each heart
was deep, unexpressed fear and SYM
pathy. r."t .t 4a
They found their host waiting for
them in handsome drawing-room, and
the children wandering about, admiring
everything, especially their own refiec-
tions in the long mirrors.
But they could scarcely believe their
own eyes when they looked at Mr.. Jane
son. Dressed with care and taste, his
hair cut to the usual gentlemanly length,
his beard gone, he looked like another
man. The disproportionate size of his
head seemed diminished one-haH by the
loss of the enormous mass OF, hair, and
his smile had lost nothing of its charm,
as he advanced to meet the ladies.
'tIt is time my ymasquerading ceased, !"
he said, in gentle, courteous tones.
"Come, my dear, will you read this
letter."
"This l' cried the astonished girl,
GQlS Is Gu0 10JbGT L HTOb0 W OuClc
James Reed when mamma died"
Exactly That is the letter that
brought me from San Francisco, and
that you thought so unkindly left unan-
swered." a. =
'tAnd you are Uncle James ?"
stI am your uncle, dear, and now
plead for me that the Lady who has SO
long given you an aunt's love and care,
will in truth become your aunt. Can
you, Henrietta, love this queer little
man ?" =G a.
Gould she love hsm? He must have
read the perfect happiness in her eyes,
for he bent over her hand, and raised it
to his lips.
"My whole life shall thank you," he
said and Cora took the children to the
other end of the long room to tell them
the wonderful news.
There were no pale cheeks or sad eyes
in the group gathered round the table
loaded with Thanksgiving luxuries.
Cora was full of gleeful mischief-a new
element in her conversation-and Aunt
Henrietta full of blushing confusion at
the new emphasis the children gave the
familiar name. Jennie, now a young
lady, declares to this day that from the
very first she suspected there was some
secret reason for the extraordinary kind
,ooo Of n,1aar T .iftla Nav