The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1872-1881, 1876-05-26


clothes and hard work for you
A few days after this, Vescy called
on the Grahams, with the hope of
meeting this young lady. lie was
very graciously received by the young
ladies. After talking OF the last par
ty, opera, and other matters, he came
TO the subject that was filing his mind
and heart.
"NIiss Josephine, who was that
young lady with you in the sture-the
one moved out of my way so has'i-
lyT :,
ooh, she is person mamma took
out of compassion, as she had no
home"
"Indeedl never saw her before.
How long has she been herc?'
"She doesn't care for society; she
prefers staying home, reading some
stupid book, and I am sure We DO not
interfere with her tastes
81 hope she has forgiven me entire
ly for my uninientional rudeness."
II suppose she has forgotten all
about it by this time; at least, she says
nothing about it."
III should like to see her, and beg
her pardon" he replied.
Mrs. Graham came in just then,
and greeted Vesey with much warmth
Mamma, Mr.. Vesey would like tC
see Grace a few minutes; he is MOI
sure that she has forgiven him."
Certainly; I will tell her myself, tt
come
She left them, but the message new
er reached Oracle. Mrs. Graham
soon entered the parlor again, saying
that Grace had declined coming, bu
she was TO tell him that she had for
given him entirely. He left the hous'
soon after, disappointed, for he ha'
hoped to look into the brown eyes h
dreamed of so often. But he was de
termined 10 meet her yet.
With this object in view, his visit
to Mrs. Grahsm's house were so fire
auent, that Mrs. Graham took frosl
courage; he certainly loved enc Of he
darlings. The hot weather camc on
and city families were leaving fol
country residences and watering pla
ces, and Mrs. Graham must 90 too
with the older girls. Oracle was lief
in the city, with her uncle and tn
two younger children, for a while. Al
ter her aunt and daughters were gone
Oracle was thrown continually in he
uncle's society, and lie soon foun'
what an entertaining companion shc
could be when she had the opportuni
ty. The summer twilights were pass
+ ed very pleasantly by them. Graoi
read and talked to Mr.. Graham, anC
then would sing the old ballads b
loved. He enjoyed his evenings S
much that he invited several of hi
friends to spend the evening with him
Oracle acting as hostess.
One day he was telling EdwarC
about his niece; what a treasure an,
comfort she had proved to be whel
the rest were all gone; and invite,
him TO come and see them. Edwar,
was exceedingly willing to 60, us thi
was what he had been waiting an,
longing for so long. Mr.. Graham
told Oracle they were to have visit
or, and that she must look her best
Oracle came DOM in the evening
dressed in pure white, relieved onl,
by few bright ribbons at her neck
and in her hair. Their visitor wa
standing with his back to the doc
when she came in, and Mr.. Graham
came forward to introduce him. Whei
he turned, the fair face lie looked int
flushed and frightened.
"Mr. Graham, we do not need al
introduction, as we met once before"
Then Edward told of his awkward
blunder, and added
81 had almost concluded | should
never manage to see her, as she retus
ed to see me when | called to offer an
other apology"
Oracle opened her brown eyes wide
with establishment.
"Mr. Nesey, never refused to seq
you-ncver knew you had asked fol
me-"
"lou did moi, Then | understand
Why | was so unsuccessful when
tried to meet you"
The evening passed very pleasant,
for these two, who had been dreaming
Of meeting some day. Mr.. Graham
invited Edward to come again, an,
Graeic's eyes repeated the invitation.
The summer wore on, and Mrs. Gra
ham watched and waited, for Edward
hal always left the city early. Blu
she looked for him in vain, for he wa
learning the old, ever new, lesson o
love. Every day he went 10 Mr.. Ora
hams, he, poor man, never dreaming
that he was spelling his wife'S cher
ished plans by smiling on these tw,