Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1875-08-25
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to do. am going to bring mother {.
see you as soon as l can; [ know she
will love YOU"
Mrs. WilmOt came over in few days
She was sweet looking, gentle woman
with low, soft vOice-like her brother
somewhat, but with infinite BY more re
finement and polish of manner. Sh,
! received me most cordially remarking
81 have heard Channiey speak 81
much of you that 1 feel as if alread,
knew you.''
After dinner, while Mrs. Mason wa,
attending to some household duties, ant
Mr.. Mason had gone out on the farm
Mrs. wilmot, Channley and myself
were alone in the parlor; he opened the
piano, and placing on it one of my
music books, opened at the same song
L had sung for him the first visit he
paid to Eastwood after my arrival, and
said very quietly:
"Motner wants to hear il"
When finished, l felt her soft hand
on my hair; she leaned over and kissed
me, her voice trembling as she spoke:
"Just such bright curls, and such 8
sweet voice. I've heard you have nc
MOTHER have no daughter-won't t you
let me love you as one. Edith?"
The longing for a mothers love had
been strong within me all my life. Aunt
Alice had always been kind, very kind,
but had never expected her TO love me
as she did her own children, and she
rh Co.
her manners were rather cold and dis
tant. l was naturally reserved, and
but seldom showed much of the strong
feelings within me. That soft touch on
my hair, and those words so lovingly
spoken, opened my heart at once. 1 wa.
lonely, among strangers, as had never
been before, and felt the want of affec-
ton. My reserve melted, and as laid
my head on her shoulder, | could only
say, brokenly:
81 will be so happy if you will only
love me, just little, and knew shall
love one who has already shown so much
tenderness for an orphan girl" had
forgotten Channley was i'm the room.
until he approached and held out his
hand, with the words:
laid mine in his, and so the compact
was sealed. He came TO Eastwood two
or three times a week, brought me
books, magazines and papers = even
some of his sister Edith's books, with
passages marked by her hand, were lent
memo one but himself and mother had
touched one since her death. | found
my situation very pleasant one in all
respects. OF course, had some trouble
with my pupils, but not more than
expected. l knew beforehand that
teaching was not very easy work. The
winter and spring passed so pleasantly
that / hardly realized my session was
near its close. For some time Chann-
ley's attentions TO me excited remark,
among the visitors TO the house, and
they were numerous, for Mr.. and Mrs.
Mason were very hOspitable; but it
was soon understood was taken by him
and his mother, i'm the place of his dead
sister, and all jesting ceased. All knew
how he had loved her-and everybody
said his manner to me was just as il had
been to her-the same unvarying cour-
tesy and attention, but no lover. like
demonstrations. No one but spiteful
Lucy Jones ever said anything about
my frequent visits to Mrs. Wilmot, that
1 heard of, at any rate. She was bold,
fast girl, who had ''set her cap" as she
expressed it, for "Mr. Wilmot. the hest
catch i'm the neighborhood."
/ fancied that Channley was not so
easy in his general manner, recently, as
he had been. Several times he had
commenced, "Shall / tell you," and
stopped suddenly. Wondered what he
wanted TO tell. Was he in love with
pretty Agnes Lee? l knew he admired
her very much, and visited at Mr.. Lees
oftener than any where else, except
Eastwood, and he came there so famili-
arly it would hardly be called visiting
Why did feel pang as the thought
crossed my mind: He had given me
all the love a sister could ask, and it
seemed selfish to want to keep him from
loving wife, but she won't care for
me after he marries her: in few years
he will almost have forgotten me, for
am not really his sister," was nv
thought The idea of Channley's for
getting me, gave me intense pain.
Mr.. Mason had engaged me TO return
and teach his children another year.
and yet Channley had not said a word
on tine subject. ''Does he really care
me, as / will him, during those long
months l am to be away?" / said to my
self as l went TO put on my riding habit
70 go with him to see his mother, only
a few days before my intended depar-
ture. ~ will ask Channley what he
wants to tell me, this very evening""
was my resolve. maybe he thinks
would be foolishly jealous of sweet
Agnes, who would make him such a
good wife, and of whom Ms. Wilmot is
so fond"
Channley was in high spirits-as free,
as easy, as gay, as had ever seen him.
''She must have accepted him, unused,
chow could she do otherwise. Pll make
the way open for him to tell me.
Soon l spoke of the Lee girls, and of
Agnes, i'm high terms of praise-fcr 1
really admired her very much. At last
l said: t - u lf ~ /-L.A
Don't you think she is the sweetest,
prettiest girl you ever saw, and would
make anv man a charming wife?" q.
'sThe prettiest, sweetest girl ever
knew, eJcept. my sister Edith" he re-
piled, gravely and quietly. We were
riding slowly-he leant over little, and
looked full into my face. l had heard
him use the same words often before,
and had occasionally fancied he did not
always mean that beautiful dead sister,
but had always put away the idea with,
Edith Elton, what makes you so vain
and conceited." There was no mis-
taking his look now, and he went on,
''!She would make the most charming
wife in the world, in my opinion, he
was speaking of the woman by his side !;
it was not ''wOuld have made" but
would make" / felt the color rising
in my face; for the first time my eyes
could not look calmly into his, but
dropped before his steady gaze; but my
heart gave such bound of joy,
/ only said, ''now Tor gallop." and
of We went at full speed. Neither
spoke a word until We reached the
house, which was not far of. He
helped me down, and still holding both
hands, looked full in my eyes again,
saving SOFTLY as If TO himself: S.Ihey