Montgomery County sentinel., 1875-03-19

formed me that the whole family were
ready to receive me with open arms-a
prospect that did not find at all allur-
ing. They seem to have set their hearts
upon me as person peculiarly fitted to
train John in the way he should go
Everything was told depended upon
his getting tie right kind of a wife A
special interview with Mr.. Crawford at
his particular request touched me con-
siderably.
II hope" said he, "that you will not
refuse my boy, Miss Edna. He has set
his heart SO fully upon you, and you are
everything | could desire in daughter
| want some one to pet. | feel sadly
lonely at times, and am sure that you
would just fill the vacant niche" F"
l drew my hand away from his caress
and almost felt like hating John Gran
ford. Life with him would be one of
case and luxury; but decided | would
rather keep boarders. Not long after
this the Cranfords concluded to go to
housekeeping, and Mrs. Shellgrove was
in her glory. She always came to lun-
cheon in her bonnet, and gave us minute
details about the house in the last twen-
ty-four hours.
1T is really magnificent" said she
lengthenlng out each syllable. !" Broth
er has such perfect taste; and he is ac-
tually 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" | re-
piled, shortly; "but | certainly have
no expectation of ever belonging to it.
Mrs. Shellgrove laughed as though
perpetrated an excellent Joke.
/" Young ladies always deny those
things, of course but John tells diff
ferent story"
| ratified the cups and saucers angrily
and my thoughts hoated off, not to John,
but to Johns father. sitting lonely in
the library furnished after my sugges-
ton. Wasn't it, after ALL my duty to
marry the family generally?
The house was finished and moved in
to, and John spent his evenings with me.
| used to get dreadfully tired of bin.
He was really too devoted to be at all in
teresting, and | had reached that state of
feeling that, if summarly ordered to take
my choice between him and the galows,
| would have prepared myself for hang
ing with cheerful alacrity.
| locked the door upon John on the
evening in question, when I had finally
got rid of him, with these feelings in
full force; and | mcditated while un-
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; and next day | received
quite a dignifed letter from him telling
me that business called him from the city
for two or three weeks and that possibly
upon his return ! might appreciate his
devotion better felt inexpressibly re-
lieved. 1t appeared to me the most SEN
sible move that John had made in the
whole course of our acquaintance, and ]
began to breathe more freely. Time
flew, however, and the three weeks
heightened into six without Johns re-
turn He wrote to me, but his letters
became somewhat constrained and !
scarcely knew what to make Of him IF
he wonld 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 or remain
Edna Darlington.
g 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 re-
preached myself for my collncss. John
is well, y / 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.
He must not come here again" ]
exclaimed. 9 do not wish to see him.
| Tell him so, Mr. Crawford Tell him
that had rather remain Edna Caring
ton, as he made me promise, than to be-
come Edna Crawford"
And he made vou promise this 2
was the reply. The selfish fellow.
But. Edna, what am | TO do without the
the little girl | have been expecting? |
am very lonely--so lonely that do not
see how | can give her up
glanced at him, and the room seemed
swimming round-every:hing was dread
fully unreal tried to sit down, and
was carried tenderly to the sofa.
"Sball it be Edoa garrington or Edna
Crawford p he Whispered. i" You need
not break your promise to john"
Edna Craoford." replied, feeling
that had lof, The world entirely, and was
in another sphere of existence. IF the
thought crossed my mind that Mr. Gran
ford had ratber cheerfully supplanted
bis son, the proceeding was fully justified
during the visit which | soon received
from that young gentleman. tried to
make it plain 70 him that did him no
wrong, al ! had never professed to love
him, although not at all sure that !
wouldn't receive the shaking threatened
on previous occasion and endeavor-
ed to be as tender as possible, for | felt
really sorrY for him. To my surprise,
John laughed
"And I am not a villain, after all.
What do you think Of her Edna p He
produced an ivortype in rich velvet case
"a pretty. litsie blue-eycd simpleton.