Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1874-03-27

! 81 should think so. cnlmeQ MAI
garet, who was fitting a lace berthe
over the waist of delicate white satin
"Do you want Austin Bosworth tC
think us family of paupers: tits tC
be grand affair, and Clara expects al
who honor it with their presence tC
pay her respect enough to dress re.
I Specially. 1t is Austin's first appear.
ance after his European tour, and sure
! " YOU do not want him to think mean
lv of u.s."
The tears came up, but Janet was
brave and no one saw them.
/ That night, when the two girls
the one in her dark beauty and won
derfully becoming array, and the Other
all delicacy, her fair, pearly loyelines;
enhanced by the pale purple color o.
her drcss-came laughing INTO grand
ma S room little shadow darkened
her face, and she found it very difficult
to keep back the tears.
"Eine feathers make fine birds, but
fine birds do not always sing the sweet
est. jamie" said grandma, after they
were gone. | know who is the true
one in this family. | know my little
singing bird. jamie, and she is dearer
than Il dozen fine ladies. Austin and
Clara will come tomorrow, and he will
tell US about his travels in foreign
lands, and Won will be far happier than
You would BE- up at the house with
dancing and confusion.
Il suppose so. grandma" and Janet
took her seat by the fire and went on
knitting with a peaceful face.
| The elder sisters came home with
rumpled plumage and high spirits.
Austin Bosworth had returned a
handsome polished gentleman, and had
tiirted desperately with Lettie.
Why, grandma, he almost proposed
to her. laughed Margaret, who was
Engaged to Judge Leonard's hopeful
son, and therefore had no place for
jealousy More than one of the com
pany predicted that it would be a
match.
Don't count your chickens before
they are hatched, called out grand
ma from her pillow. Mr.. Austin
Bosworth is no fool. | can tell You"
''What an old croaker,,'
They were entering the chamber a.
cross the hall, but grandma's ears were
not dulled by age, and she clearly heard
! them.
Don't mind them, grandma" whis-
pcred Janet. who had waited to help
them lay aside their finery.
Mind them. Do you think shall,
Janet Lceds:"
Next day Austin Bosworth came
| He was too familiar with the old house
to stop for bell ringing, and he enter
ed, crossing the hall directly past the
parlor door, where Margaret and Let
tie waited in their tasteful afternoon
costumes, and walked straight on tC
grandma Leeds room.
She was there with her placid face
beneath the white, lace-bordered cap.
y graceful. girlish figure half knelt
beside her, wreathing a bunch of ever
green's into frame for mantle orna-
ment. and her eyes were lifted smiling
" to the old lady's face.
| He entered and closed the door be-
| fore either saw him.
"Grandma Leeds
why, bless my heart, it is Austin
Come here, my boy
And the fine gentleman came and
gave both hands to her in his delight
jamie, my little playfellow, too
What a happy meeting. Clara came
down dressed for call, and declared
she would come, but told her no.
knew the amount of gallantry should
feel obliged to use, and | preferred that
my first visit should be like the old
ones"
You are right. We are better
pleased to have it SO, are We not
Janet"
His call heightened itself into two
hours, and during the time he told
pleasant stories and chatted like the
boy Of bv-gone davs. but not once did
Margaret or Letties' name pass his
lips.
When he went away he met them
coming from the parlor with disap-
pointed faces, where they had been
waiting for him; but he only lifted his
hat and then passed out. Then grand
ma and Janet received Il scolding, such
rs only these two knew how to give.
and the shadow of discomfort again fell
on Janet's spirit.
All. that long, cherries winter
What story Janet could tell you of
disappointments, of happy parties in
which she had no share, of moonlight
rides, of JOY and merriment. She had
only that one comforter, kind, patient
grandma; for now that Austin Bos-
worth had come, the way was harder
than ever. He came and escorted Let
tie to parties, and sometimes chatted
with grandma, but nothing more. She
saw nothing more-she did not catch
the good d-natured smiles he gave her
from the sleigh as he rode away-and
Lettie never told her how often he ask
ed for her.
Alone with grandma, Janet asked
for better things and wondered why
she was so harshly dealt with.
At last even the society of her aged
companion was denied her, and in her
bed the old lady gradually faded away.
Day and night Janet sat beside her
with the knowledge that she was be-