American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1876-03-04

pay the same salary she now receives.
"What treat for Edna!" cried Mrs.
Holt. 1--WE will gladly lend her for
such a pleasant summer, Mrs. Hepburn.
Shall introduce her now?'
She left the room as Mrs. Hepburn
assented, and returned in few minutes
with tall, graceful girl of about TWEEN
ty.
The first sight of her face excused
Rob to his aunt's heart. 1t was so del
icately fair and sweet, yet with 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
poets Mrs. Hepburn offered, completed
the conquest the first look had gained.
As soon a. Edna could get ready the
two left Green Valley, and started upon
a summer of delightful travel.
Wholly unconscious of the close scru-
tiny of every word and action, Edna
Seabright, with warm gratitude, de-
voted herself to her new employer.
Though she looked no further than
to the fall, to break the pleasant COM
partnership, she made every effort to
tighten the hours of intercourse and
make herself. useful to Mrs. Hepburn.
She appreciated keenly the perfect
equality of position, accorded her from
the first, knowing well the attentions of
Mrs. Hepburn's friends, frequently en-
countered, would never have been so
cordially extended had she been intro
as "my companion" instead of the
gentle words:
"My young friend, Miss Seabright. ~
She was of a sunny, bright tempera-
ment, and even the discomforts of travel
lost half their annoyance in her pleas
ant manner of meeting them.
In the delightful resting-places where
they sojourned for a week at time,
Mrs. Hepburn found all the we'll known
spots took a 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 becoming, while her few ribbons
suited her young beauty better than
Jewels.
When she found Mrs. Hepburn weary
with long ride or hours of railway
jolting, 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 cringing rela-
tives 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, bul
by gentle kindness she had won the
girls warm heart to an enthusiastic af
lection.
1t was no thought of salary or future
favors that Edna Seabright gave 6
daughters tenderest care to the ole
lady who was giving her the novel hap
piness of a summer pleasure-trip. She
was sorry to think of the parting soor
to come; but she meant to prove hel
gratitude by every loving device, Will,
she was still Mrs. Hepburn's compan
ion.
And Rob. Harkner, in his law-offic,
in town, found no consolation in lega
studies for the keen pang of disappoint
ment he had experienced when Mrs
Holt told him Miss Seabright was trav
cling for the summer, and had no per
manent address.
"Aunt Maria off, too, nobody know
where" the young man thought discon
solately, $50 1 might as well 60 back t.
| town.
Which he did, thereby receiving a
the earliest moment a delicately writer
letter from Mrs. Hepburn, dated Bos
ton, begging him to meet her at tn
T House and escort her home.
"Odd," he muttered, 'safter runnin;
about all summer alone, she canno
come from Boston without an escort.
But with Rob, to hear his great-aunt'
wishes was to obey them, and the mex
train found him fastening to Boston.
He found his aunt sitting in a pri
vate sitting-room of the hotel from
which she had written, rocking hersel
lazily and musing. He judged that he
meditations were pleasant by the smil
upon her lips.
She gave him a cordial welcome, and
alters little chat, she said:
"Rob, did you ever think meant :,
make you my heirP''
The color rushed to Rob's face. bu
after a moment of confusion he liftet
his eyes frankly, saying:
81 thought you would not forget M
if you made will, Aunt Maria, bu
1 hope it will be a long time before
know whether you will or not"
"Thank you, Rob; believe you Low
me-"
81 do love you," was the earnest re
ply
"Then 1 hope you will grant a re
quest 1 am about to make, that will
give me great happiness if you do"
81 should not likely refuse any re
quest you make.''
81 have friend, Rob, very dea
young friend, who is one of the lowell
est girls ever knew. Our friendship
| is of very recent date. but if is stron,