The Van Buren press., 1876-03-21

ing, now and then,l as Mrs. Hepburn
pursued train of inquiries.
Yes" Mr.. Holt said, in answer to
one of these" Miss Seabright is an or
phan, and her only home for years was
the aims. house She came here first as
an errand- girl, to attend the door, clean
knives and run errands. But Mrs. Holt
found she was starving for education,
and we took her into the SCHOOL She
well repaid all the efforts we made to ed
ucate her, and at sixteen was pupil tea
cher, studying the higher branches while
teaching the lower ones. Two years ago
she took the place as Mrs. Hollis assist
ant, with the usual salary
| She is well educated. what more ?"
"A gentle, refined lady," said Mrs.
Holt; "a conscientious, noble woman
l have never met a girl for whom | felt
more respect. as well rs affection
.Will you lend her to me for the hol.
days? | am going to take trip to the
White Mountains, Niagara, Canada, and
want Il pleasant companion. willpay
the same salary she now receives
! "What treat for Edna cried Mrs.
Holt 1--WE will gladly lend her for such
pleasant summer, Mrs Hepburn. Shall
introduce her now 7"
She left the room as Mrs. Hepburn as
sented, and returned in few minutes
with a tall, graceful girl of about twenty
The first sight of her face excused Rob
to his aunt's heart. 1t was so delcately
fair and sweet yet with q noble, dignity
Of expression, that won the old lady to
Rob's side at the outset
A short conversation, during which
the lovely face grew radiant at the pros
peet Mrs Hepburn offered, completed
the conquest the first look had gained.
As soon us Edna got ready the two left
Green Valley, and started upon a sum
mer of delightful travel
Wholly unconscious of the close scru
tiny of every word and action, Edna
Seabrght, with warm gratitude, dcvo
ted herself TO her new employer.
Though she looked no further than to
the fall, to break the pleasant compan
ionship, she made every effort to tighten
the hours of intercourse. and make her
self useful to Mrs Hepburn.
She appreciated keenly The perfect
equality of position, accorded her from
the first, knowing well that the attentions
of Mrs. Hepbutns friends, frequently ell
countered, would never have been so
cordially extended had she been introdu
eed as " my companions" instead of the
gentle words:
My young friend, Miss Seabright."
She was of sunny, bright tempera
ment, and even the discomlorts Of travel
lost half their annoyance IN her pleasant
manner OF meeting them.
In thr dctishtfui roet,ng plaeoa whore
they sojourned for a week at ii e, Mrs
! lIcplurlI fonnd all the wcll known syots
took new beauty when shared With her
new companion, whose frank delight was
as pleasant as child S to behold.
She dressed simply, even within her
means, but had an artistic taste that
made the plain garments ever suitable
and becominr, while her few ribbons
suit d her young beauty better than jew
els
When she fouad Mrs. Hepburn weary
with long ride or hours of railway jolt
! ing, she could soothe her to the sweetest
rest by singing, as she gently smoothed
The silver hair, or caressed the withered
hands
With all her train of crngng relatives,
it was something new to the old lady to
receive loving service She had made no
further engagement with Edna, had held
out no golden promises, but by gentle
kindness she had won the girls warm
heart to an enthusiastic affection.
1t was no thought of salary or future
favors that Edna Seabright gave daugh
ter's lenderest care to the old lady who
was giving her the novel happiness Of a
summer pleasure trip. She was sorry to
think of the parting soon to come; but
she meant to prove her gratitude by every
loving device, while she was still Mrs.
Hepburn's companion.
And Rob Harkner IN his wofllcc in
town, found consolation in legal studies
for the keen pang Of disappointment he
had experienced whel Mrs. Holt told
him that Miss Seabright was travelling
for the summer and had no permanent
address.
i" "Aunt Maria off, too, nobody knows
where the young man thought dscon-
solately, $50 might as well go back to
town"
Which he did, thereby receiving at the
earliest moment delicately written let
ter from Mrs Hepburn, dated Boston,
begging him to meet her at the t
House ond escort her home.
Odd he muttered, LATTER running
about all summer alone, she cannot come
from Boston without an escort"
But with Rob, to hear his great aunt's
wishes, was to obey them and the next
train found him Fastening to Boston,
He found his aunt sitting in n private
sitling.room of the hotel from which she
had VI ittcn, rocking herself azily and mu
sing He judged that her meditations
were pleasant, by the smile upon her lips
She gave him cordial welc me, and, af-
t "A little chat. she said:
Rob, did you ever think /. meant to
make yon my heir I"
The color rose to Bobs face, but after
a moment of confusion he lifted his eyes
frankly, saving:
81 thought you would not forget me, if
you made a will, Aunt Maria, but hope
it will be a long time before | know
whether you will or not"
Thank you, Rob; | believe you love
| IN