The Van Buren press., 1874-04-14
MISCELLANY.
The Promised Kiss.

"Housc full Why, how much com
pany have you, Louise?
Mrs. Louise Analie, our pretty host
ess, who was on her knees before my
trunk, engaged in admiring my wardrobe
while she ehatted, turned Immediately to
my sister.
"My dear Julia, we are actually cram
med" said she. There hasn't been
such summer rush for The Naples
since | can remember First came the
Athertons and Willions; then Harry
Vernon, Charlie Wayne, Feed Lawton
and his pretty little cousin, and conse,
quently her ardent admirer, Mr.. Maynard.
thought We were certainly full, ana
James was just saying last night that we
couldn't possibly accommodate any body
else, when carriage drove up, and out
sprang Hugh Ches,on.
Hugh Cheston - said /, my face
flushing.
"Hugh Chestc y exclaimed my elder
sister, Gertrude, who was tumbling over
the contents of her trunk in search of
something 30, am dolightod!" !"
He's lhe best catch ! know of, Lou
isa, ;" said Julia.
Nv ell. of course he had ces.,e To spend
q week or two, and James was just as
glad to see him as if tlere wasn't a soul
in the house and we had whole suite Of
rooms, replied Mrs. Anale; "but
was at my wits end for place to put
him in But at last / remembered what
good little soul you are, Matte, and so
ventured to let him have the chamber l
had reserved for you you won think it
imposition, will you, dear p
mo, indeed. can manage capitally
with you, julia" said |.
Its very good of you. Hes just re
turned from the Continent, continued
Louise" what q love of a bertha,
Matte and brought home French,
valet, who is almost as handsome as his
master, and who is turning the head of
every maid in the house. How delight
ful it is to hear them talk French-mas-
ter and man! Matte, where did you
ever find this perfect trimming2"
81 haven't seen him for nearly five
year,, said.Gertrude "but used to be
desperately in love with him. Such
handsome eyes as he had! ~
HE is very rich, which is more to the
purpose, said Julia, whose twenty-six
summers had brought her to appreciate
the practical part Of life. Matte, you
homcly little thing, she added, "what
are you dreaming aboutI'
got up from the floor where had
been sitting for the last ten minutes, with
my hair about my shoulders, and went
to the mirror. did not want them to
see what bright color there was upon
my checks. My sisters were dresses. in
q few minutes more, and went down stairs
with Louise. When the sound Of their
voices had died away, threw myself on
the carpet by chair and fell to dream
ing Five years before--it did not seem
so long-l had seen Hugh Cheston, and
for the only time in my life, 1t was on
the night of a party given at my fathers
house, in honor of my sister Gertrude's
eighteenth birthday. Little more than
two years before ! had lost my dear
mother, and the idea of a crowd Of gay
people thronging the room where she
had rested in her coffin on that last sad
day, filed my heart with grief and indig
nation. But no one took any notice of
me. | knelt there by the window Of my
little room, which was in the wing Of the
house, and overlooked a terrace Of the
main building, my face wet with tears,
and the most wretchcd feeling had ever
felt lingering around me.
Suddenly light from the ball room
streamed out broadly upon the darkness,
as some one drew the window drapery
aside, and an instant afterward two per-
son. stepped out upon the terrace. 1t
was my sister Gertrude and gentleman.
could hear their words plainly as they
passed backward and forward. They
talked carelessly and gsiy about great
many things, some of which | could not
understand, but others could At last
I was startled by the words ofmy sisters
companion.
"What is thatT' he said.
"What2" said my sister, "what do
YOU mean, Mr.. Chesteni" ?"
81 thought l caught glimpse of a
childs face at the window" replied the
gentleman. "And, II I'm not mistaken,
it is wet with tears.
drew back quickly, with beating
heart, brt heard my sister say, %, 'tis
Matte my little sister, ! suppose. The
child Is averse to our giving this party
tonight, and declares we are all heartless
and force,ful of our dear mother. or
course, as you are aware. the idea is very
absurd, but no one could make her be.