Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1875-07-02

up in. the way he should go. Everything
I was told, depended on his getting tn
right kind of a wife.
A special interview, with Mr.. Crawford
at his particular request, touched me con
siderably.
II hope" said he, s'that you will no
refuse my boy; Miss Edna. He has Sc
his heart so fully upon you, and you art
everything that I could desire in daugh
ter. want some one to pet. feel sadly
lonely at times, and I am sure that yor
would just fill the vacant niche.
drew my hand away from his caress,
and almost felt like hating John Crawford
Life with him would be one Of ease and
luxury, but decided that would rather
keep boarders.
Not long after this the Cranford's con-
cluded to go to housekeeping, and Mrs.
.Shellgrove was in her glory She always
came to luncheon now in her bonnet, and
gave us minute details of all about the
house in the last twenty-four hours.
cit is really magnificent. said she,
frightening out each syllable. "Brother
has such perfect taste; and he is actually
furnishing the library, Miss Edna, after
your suggestion. You see, we look upon
you quite as one of the family"
'sThat is very good Of you," replied,
shortly; "but certainly have no expecta-
ton of ever belonging to it.''
Mrs. Shellgrove laughed as though had
perpetrated an excellent joke.
"Young ladies always deny these things,
Of course: but John tells different story. 7"
I ratified the cups and saucers angrily;
and my thoughts foated on, not to John,
but to Johns father, sitting lonely in the
library furnished after my suggestion.
Wasn't it, after all, to marry the family
generally?
The house was furnished and moved in
to, and John spent his evenings with me.
1 used to get dreadfully tired of him. He
was really too devoted to be al all interest
ing, and 1 had reached that state of feeling
that, if summarily ordered to take my
choice between him and the gallows,
would have prepared myself for hanging
with a sort of cheerful alacrity.
Hooked the door upon John ON the even
ing in question, when had finally gotten
rid of him, with these feelings in full force;
and | meditated while undressing on some
desperate move that should bring matters
TIC crisis.
But the boy had become reused at last,
He too had reflected in the watches Of the
night, and next day received quite dig
nifed letter from him, telling me that
business called him from the city for two
or three weeks, and that possibly upon his
return mightappreciate his devotion bet
ter. I felt expressively relieved. 1t APP
peared to me the most sensible move that
John had made in the whole course of our
acquaintance, and l began to breathe with
more freedom.
Time flew, however, and the three weeks
heightened into six without Johns RETURN.
He wrote to me, but his letters became
somewat constrained: and scarcely knew
what to make of him. 1t he would only
give me up, I thought; but felt sure that
he would hold me to that weak promise of
mine, that should either become Edna
Crawford OF remain Edna Darlington.
"Mr Crawford" was announced one
evening, and I entered the parlor fully pre-
pared for an overdose Of John, but found
myself confronted by his father.
He looked very grave, and instantly I
immagined all sorts of things, and re-
preached myself for my GOODNESS. "John
is well?" gasped finally.
"Quite we'll, was the reply, in such kind
tones that felt sure there was something
wrong.
What it was, I cared not, but poured
forth my feelings impetuously to my as
tonished visitor.
s'He must not come here again!" ex-
claimed II do not wish to see him. Tell
him so, Mr.. Crawford! tell him that I had
rather remain Edna Darlington, as he
made me promise, than to become Edna
Crawford
s'And he made you promise this?" was
the reply. ''The selfish fellow! But, Ed
ma, what am I to do without the little
girl 1 have been expecting? [ am so lone
ly-so lonely that I do not see how [ can
give her up"
I glanced at him, and the room seemed
swimming round everything was dread
fully unreal. tried to sit down, and was
carried tenderly to the sofa.
'sShall it be Edna Darlington OF Edna
Cranford?" he whispered. ''You need not
break your promise to john"
'sEdna Crawford, replied, feeling that
[ had left the world entirely, and was in
another sphere Of existence.
If the thought crossed my mind that
Mr.. Crawford had rather cheerfully sup
planted his son, the proceeding was fully
justified during the visit which 1 received
from that young gentleman. [ tried to
make it plain to him that l did him no
wrong, as 1 had never professed to love
him, although not at all sure that would
not receive the shaking threatened on a
previous occasion; and 1 endeavored to be
as tender as possible, for I really felt sorry
for him.
To my great surprise, John laughed.
"Well, this is jolly" he exclaimed
'sAnd Pm not a villain, after all. What
do you think of her, Edna?''
He produced an ivorytype in a rich vel
vet case-a pretty, little blue-eyed simple
ton; she looked like etat seventeen.
ssRose," he continued Rose Darling;
the name suits her, doesn't it? She was
staying at my uncle's in Maryland that's
where I've been visiting, you know-and
she's such a dear little confding thing that
a fellow couldn't help falling in love with
her. And she thinks no end of me, you