Weekly Trinity journal., 1878-05-18


and therefore, had no place for jealousy.
More than one of tho company predict
ed that il would be y match"
Don't count your chickens before
they are hstched," called out grandma
from her pillow. Mr.. Austin Bosworth
is no fool, can tell you ~
What All old croaker ?"
They we're entering their chamber
across the hall, but grsndms's ears were
not dulled by ago, and she clearly heard
them.
"Don't mind than, grandma" whis-
pered Janes, who had waited TO help them
lay aside their fncry.
"Mind them Do you think shall
Jenet Leeds ?''
Next day Austin Bosworth came. He
was too familiar with the old house to
stop for bell-rnging, and he entered.
crossing tho hall directly past the paror
door, whore Margaret and Lette waited
in their tasteful afternoon costumes, and
walked straight on to grandma Leeds
room.
She was there with her placid face be-
meath the white lace bordcred cap.
A graceful girlish figure half knet be-
side her, wreathinga bunch ofevergreens
into frame for a man tel ornament, and
hor eyes were lifted smilinEly to the old
lady's face.
He entered and closed the door bofore
either saw him.
Grandma Leeds I"
Why, bless my heart, it Is Austin !!
Come here, my boy -
Aud ths fine gentleman came and give
both hands to her in his delight.
jamie my little playmate, too What
happy meeting Clara came down
dressed for Il call. and declared she would
come, but told her no knew tho
amount of gallantry should feel obliged
to u,e, and | preferred that my frat visit
should be like the old ones"
You are right. We are better ploas-
ed to have it so, ara we not, Janet ?"
His cali heightened itself into two
hours, and during tho time he told pleas
ant stories and chattod like the boy OF
by-gone days, but not once did Margaret
or Iettie's namo pass his lips.
When lie went away he met them
coming from the psrlor with disappoint
ed faces, whore they had been waiting
tor him but he only lifted his hat and
then passed out. Then grandma and
jamie received sound scolding, such rs
only these two knew how 10 give, and
the shadow Of discomfort again fell on
Janet's spirit.
All, that long cheorless wintor What
a story Janet could toll you OF disnp-
pointmcnts, of happy parties in which
she had no share, OF moonlight rides, OF
joys and merriment. She had only that
one comfort, kind, patient grandma for
now that Austin Bosworth had come tho
way was harder than ever. He came
and escorted Lettie to parties, and some
times chatted with grandma but nothing
more. She saw nothing more-sho did
not catch tho good natured smiles he gave
her from the sleigh as he rode away
and Lettie never told her how often he
asked for her.
Alone with grandma, Janet asked for
better things and wondered VIII sue was
so harshly dealt with.
At last even the society of her aged
companion WAS denied hor, and in her
bed the old lady gradually faded away.
Day and night Janet sat beside her with
the knowledge that she was beyond carth.
ly help waiting upon her, yielding to
her childish whims. and shutting out
everything youthful and beautiful from
her sight.
Playing household angel" said Mar
garet scorniully.
Working for grandma's fortune OF
old shoes and stockings" Lettie cruelty
added.
" Doing her duty by tho faithful WON.
Nh who had taken three mothorless chill
dren into her heart, and filed the lost
ones place, so far as God permitted" her
own heart said, and steadily she worked
on.
The first Of May brought invitations to
the last ball at the Bosworth house, and
while the two elder sisters laid out the
fnery, Janet folded her tiny missive, and
lid it away next to her heart RS a sacred
bit OF paper, bearing Austin's firm, broad
cbirography upon 1t.
The next night grandma was very i'll,
and whom Margaret and Lettie huttered
in with their gay dresses. Janet met them
and almost forcibly put them out Of the
room,
81 beg you. girls, to have littls res
pect for grandms-she is worry i'll to-
night"
" "Nonsenss ! Don't be a fool, Janet (;
anybody would think she was dying"
" believe she is."
Their reply came in violent slam Of
the door, and Janet WAS alone with her
patient.
The hours dragged wearily, and over
come by her long, sleepless watches, Jan
Of fell fast asleep.
Two hours later she awoko with start,
and in an instant she saw that great
change was visible in grandms's face.
Like one in dream she walked to her
fathers room and awakened him.
"Grandma Is worse. believe her
dying. You must 60 for DIR. Berne.-
You will find him al the ball. Goquck-
ly."
She went back and sat there wearily
waiting for something-for sound, a
sign from the dying woman but none
sama Slowly hut nerceptibly the lines