The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1877-05-04

DON'T sald uncle te0rge, abruptly
and he held up newspaper upside down.
Edith touched his arm very gently.
II am so sorry, Uncle George" she said
sweetly. 'If I had known that you had
lost them both, would not have said any
thing please forgive me. And poor Aunt
Maria, too! l beg your pardon"
Uncle George threw down his paper and
looked smilingly at her.
"Does your mamma ever speak of me?''
Constantly, perpetually )" said Edith,
her voice still little chokcd.
"And what does she say of me ?"
"She says that you are the dearest kind.
est, warmest-hearted, most sweet-disposition-
ed old gentleman existing she says you
have been gallant officer and loyal, true
hearted soldier" Edith's eyes kindled.
"And l have heard how you distinguished
yourself in India, and II am very glad to
see you, Uncle George"
ayes, yes, he is all that" said he with en-.
thusiasm
"What who?" asked Edith confused
"My father-I-I-I mean my son."
"Poor George he was a most distinguish
ed soldier also. l wish had known him
No, CGce George, won't speak so, l do
not wish to pain you.'
81 like to hear all you tell me about him,
my dear"
81 have only heard how good soldier he
was, and that he was so handsome and SO
good"
'And had he faults and defects ?"
Edith looked surprised.
81 used to hear that he was conceited."
"No no." said Uncle George, hast ly; che
never was that He was proud, grant
perhaps too proud-but never conceited"
"Poer George r. sighed Editn.; 81 had SC
locked forward to knowing him."
"Had you really ?"
Eyes, never had companion of my own
age. Do tell me, shall like my cousins a
Hatton ?''
Il think so, some of them; do you mear
Uncle Johns daughters or his stepchil
dren p
Both"
81 think you will like Mary, tolerate Su
san, abhor Agatha, admire Jane, and
adore Alice
"Alice is the adorable one, is she ?" sale
Edith, laughing, "and is she the one they
say is so pretty?"
"On no; poor Alice is deformed, and car
never leave the sofa; but she has the sweet
ness of an angel and the courage of a mar
| tyr she is not in.the least pretty"
"Oh, what trial! always on the sofa!''
"What sweet little thing this ISL
thought Uncle George, but he said nothing.
SLOW comes it that you know none o
your cousins?" said he suddenly.
"Why do you want me to tell you wha
you know so much better than do Uncle
George"
'Yes, yes, of course; but naturally wan
to know your side ofthe story. Have yol
never been at Hatton?"
"Never; and thought it 80 very kind O
you to induce Uncle John to persuade nam
ma to let me-go."
Eyes, | thought, you know, that few
companions of your own age would do 20,
good. How old are you?"
| "Did you not get mammals letter il
which she told you that was to be eighteel
| tomorrow"
"No; it must have been late. / neve
heard of it."
! "How very unfortunate Then no ont
will know am coming. She asked you t,
tell Uncle John about the train and
things"
"Ah, ah! that letter. Oh, of course, that i
all rgh.. l dont-I-I sometimes dom
read letters through"
Edith laughed.
| 81 will tell you one version of my story
Mamma being rapa's widow, and papa hav
ing been the eldest son, had to leave Hatto
when a baby was born and turned out to b
a stupid little girl; and she went abroad be
cause she was SO delicate, and became
Roman Catholic"
"Iiolloal"
"Wtat is it, Uncle George?"
"You are not one, hope p
Edith looked rather indignant. 1T
very odd of you to say that" she sale
'when you know as'well as do all that yo
did about it; indeed | shall never forge
your kindness"
81 am very glad, my dear child, and
hope that in future you wall be guided b
my advice"
Il hope shall see great deal of you
Uncle George, for | know how fond sha
be of you, for my mother loves you dea
| ly."
at is very kind of her.
"And do you know, since we came
live in England, have never paid a sing
visit, or been for one week away from hom
Oh, it is such fun going to Hattonl Do n
cousins rider"
"Yes. great deal; are you fond of it2"
81 love it; there is nothing in the world
me like good gallop. All, it was the gres
est trial of my life when Queen Nab W
soldn
"When was that 2"
mamma made me give up riding, or rat
er | gave it up myself, because it, made
! so nervous"
"What else do you care for2-dancing?
, 'Oh, love it; but have never been t,
1 ball in my life.
There are to be two at Hatton next we
and you must promise me the first vslse