The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1874-07-03

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refuse my bov. Miss Edna. He has ETH,
heart SO fully upon you, and you are every
thing that could desire in daughter.
want some one 10 pet. | feel sadly lonely
at times, and am sure that you would
just fill the vacant niche"
drew my hand away from his cares,
and almost felt like hating John CRAWFORD
Life with him would be- one of ease and
luxury but | decided that had rather
keep boarders.
Not long after this the Crarfords con-
Guided 10 90 10 housekeeping, and Mrs.
Shellgreye was In her glory. She always
came To luncheon now in her bonnet, and
gave us minute details of all that had been
done and talked of about the house i'm the
last twenty-four hours.
at is really magnificent" said she.
lengthening out each syllable. Brother
has such perfect taste and he Is act tally
furnishing the library, Miss Edna. after
your suggestion. You 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 10 it,"
Mrs. Shellgrove laughedas though l had
perpetrated am excellent joke.
Young ladies always deny these
things. of course but John tells differ
| ent story"
ratified the cups and saucers angrily
and my thoughts foated of not to John,
but To Johns father. sitting lonely i'm the
library furnished after my suggestion.
Wasn't ii, after all. my duty 10 marry the
family generally.
The house was finished and moved into,
and John spent his evenings with me.
used 10 get dreadfully tired of him. He
was really too devoted TO be at all interest
ing, and had reached that state OF feeling
that, If summarily ordered 10 take my
choice between him and the gallows,
would have prepared myself for hanging
with "A sort of cheerful alacrlty.
locked the door upon John on the even
ing in question, when had finally gotten
rid of him, with these feelings infull force;
and meditated while undressing on some
desperate move that should bring matters
TO crisis.
But the boy had become reused at last.
He too had reflected i'm the watches of the
night and next day | received quite a
dignfied letter from him, telling me that
business called him from the city for two
or three weeks. and that possibly on his
return might appreciate his devotion bet
ter. felt inexpressibly relieved. 1t ap-
peared 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. and the three
weeks heightened TO six without Johns
return. He wrote TO me, but his letters
became somewhat constrained; and |
scarcely knew what to make of him. II
he would only give me up. thought but
I fhath a hnl fs.t baf
promise of mine. that | should either be-
come Edna CRAWFORD or remain Edna Car
rington.
MIR. CRAWFORD was announced one
evening. and | entered the parlor fully
prepared for an overdose of John. but
found myself confronted by his father.
He looked very grave; and instantly
imagined all sorts Of things, and reproach-
ed myself for my GOODNESS.
"John is well?' | 0asped, finally.
Quite WE'LL the reply, i'm such
kind tones that .e,C sure there was some
thing wrong.
What it was cared not, but poured
forth my feelings impetuously to my as
tonished visitor.
He must not come here again.- | ex-
claimed. II do 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 this p was
the reply. The selfish fellow But
Edna, what am | to do without the little
girl have been expecting? l am very
lonely-so lonely that do not see how !
can give her up"
glanced at him, and the room seemed
"A
fully Hnreal tried To sit down and was
carried tenderly to the sofa.
"Shall il be Edna Darlington or Edna
Cranfordyr he whispered. You need
not break your promise to .Johnw
Edna Crawford" replied, feeling that
had left the world entirely, and was in
another sphere OF existence.
II the thought crossed my mind that Mr..
Crawford had rather cheerfully supplanted
his son. the proceeding was fully justified
during the visit which | soon received from
that young gentleman. | tried to make it
plain To him that did him no wrong. as
had never professed TO love him, though
not at all sure that wouldn't receive the
shaking threatened on a previous occa-
sion. and endeavored TO be as tender as
possible. for felt really sorry for him.
To my great surprise. John laughed.
"Well. this is jolly" he exclaimed.
"And I'm not villain. after ALL What
do you think of her. Ednay
He produced an ivorytype i'm rich vel
vet case-a pretty little blue-eyed simple
ton; she looked like atat seventeen.
Rose" he continued-''Rose Darling; |
the name suits her, doesn't il? She was
staying at my uncle's i'm Maryland-that's
where I've been visiting, you know--and
she's such a dear little confiding thing
that fellow couldn't help falling in love
with her. And she thinks no end Of me,
you see-says she's quite afraid of me-
and all that"
John knew that wasn't a bit afraid of
him; but felt an elder sisterly sort of in
terest i'm his happiness and had never liked
him so well IA at that moment. And this
l. A.