The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1874-07-23

furnishing ,bc library, Mis- Elna, after
yQur suggestion. lou see, We look upon
you quite as one Of The family
That Is very good Of you, | replied,
shortly; but certainly have no expecta-
ton of ever belonging 70 Il,
Mrs. shellgrove laughed as though |
bad perpetrated an excellentioke.
Young ladies always deny these things
Of course; but John tells a different sto-
ry
! ratified the cups and saueers angrily
and my thoughts loated Oh not to John,
but to Johns father, sitting lonely ia the
library furnished after my suggestions,
Wasn't II alter all, my duty TO mar
the family generally.
The house was finished and moved in
to, aud John spent his evenings with me.
used TO get dreadiully tired Of him. He
was really too devoted 10 be at al inter
estiug, and had reached that state Of
feeling that, If summarily ordered TO take
my choice between him and the gallows,
| would have prepared myself for hang
Ing with sort Of cheerful alacrity.
| locked the door upon John on the
evening In question, when had finally
gotten rid Of him, with these feelings in
full force; and | meditated while uu-
dressing on some desperate move that
should bring matters to a crisis,
But the boy had become reused at last.
He too had reflected In the watches of
the night; aud next day Ireceiy,d quite
dignified letter from him, telling me
that business called him from the city for
two or thrce weeks, aud that possibly on
bis return | might appreciate his deyo-
ton better. | felt inexpressibly relieved
1t appeared to me the most sensible move
that John had made in the whole course
OF our acquaintance, and | began to
breathe with more freedom.
Time flew, however, aud the three
weeks heightened to six without Johns
return. He wrote to me, but his letters
became somewhat constrained; aud
scarcely knew what TO make Of him. If
he would only give me up, thought; but
! felt sure that he wonld hold me to that
weak promise Of mine, that should eith-
erbecome Edna Crawford or remain Ed
ma Darlington.
Mr.. Crauford was announced one even
ing, and entered the parlor fully pre-
pared Tor an overdose of John, but found
myself confronted by his father.
lie looked very grave; and instantly
imagined all sorts of things, and re-
preached myself for my GOODNESS.
John is well, gasped, finally.
Quite well, was the reply, in such Kind
tones that | felt sure there was something
wrong.
What it was cared not, but poured
forth my feelings impetuously to my as.
tonished visitor.
lie must not come here againl ex-
claimed. lido not wish to see him. Tell
him SO, Mr. Crawford tell him that
had rather remain Edna Darlington, as
he made me promise, than to become
Edna Crawford.
And he made you promise thisl was
the reply. The selfish fellowl But, Ed
ma, what am | to do without the little girl
| have been expecting? am very lone
ly--so lonely that do not see how can
give her up.
glanced at him, and the room seemed
swimming round--evcrythtng was dread
fully unreal. tried to sit down, and was
carried tcnderly 10 the sofa.
Shall it be Edna Darlington or Edna
CranfordY be whispered. You need not
break your promise to Johr.
Edna Claniord, replied, feeling that
had LEFT the world entirely, aud was in
another sphere Of existence
1t the thought crossed my mind that
Mr.. Crawford had rather chcertully sup
planted his son, the proceeding was ful.
!
received from that gentleman. tried
TO make il plain to him that did him no
wrong, as had never proiesscd to love
him. though not at all sure that |
wouldn't receive the shaking threatened
on previous occasion, aud endeavored
to be as tender a. possible, for felt real
ly sorry for him.
To my great surprise, John laughed.
Well, this Is jolly! he exclaimed. Aud
I'm not villain after all. What do you
think Of her, Ednal
lie produced an iyorytype in a rich
velvet Casa pretty, little, biue-eyed
simpleton; she looked like etat seven
teen.
Rose, be contiuued-Hose Darling;
the name suits her, doesn't 1T? She was
staying at my uncle'siu Ia Maryland
where I've been visiting YOU know-and
she's such a dear little couGding thing
that fellow couldn't help falling in love
with her. Aud she thinks no end of me,
you see-says she's quite afraid OF me,
and all that.
John knew that I was not afraid Of
him; but / felt an elder dsterly sort Of
interest in bis happiness, aud bad never
liked him 50 well as al that mo-
menl And this was the dreadful new.
that his father bad come to break to me,
when bic narrative was nipped IN the
bud by my revelations, sad the interview
ended iu far more satisfactory manner
than either Of us had anticipated.
7 50 kept iny promise to John, af,er all
aud a. Misc Rose kept hers, be Is uow a
steady married man, and very agreea-