The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1879-06-17


A special interview with Mr.. Crawford,
at his particular request, touched ne CON
siderable.
81 hope" said he, "that you will not re-
fuse my boy, Miss Edna He has Set his
heart 80 fully upon you, and you are every
thing that | could desire in daughter
want some one to pet. l feel sadly and
lonely at times and | am sure that you
would just fill the vacant niche"
l drew my hand away from his caress,
and almost felt like hating John Crawford
Life with him would be one of ease and
luxury; but decided that l had rather
kept boardcrs.
Not long after this the Cranfords conclu-
ded to go to housekeeping, and Mrs. Shell
grove was in her glory She always came
to luncheon now in her bonnet, and gave us
minute details Of all that had be done and
talked about the house in the last twenty
four hours.
cit is really magnificent" said she,
lcngthcning out each syllable. ''Brothcr
has such perfect taste; and he is actually
furnishing the library, Miss Edna, after
your suggestion. You see, we look upon
you quite as one Of the family.
''Fhat is very good of you," replied,
shortly; "but certainly have no expccta-
tion Of ever belonging to it,
Mrs. Shcllgrovc laughed as though had
pcrpctrated an excellent joke.
oullg ladies always deny these things,
of course; but John tells a different story"
l ratified the cups and saucers angrily;
and my thoughts floated off not to John,
but to Johns father, sitting lonely in the
library furnished after my suggestion.
Wasn't it after all my duty, to marry the
family gencrally2
The house was finished and moved into,
and John spent his evenings with me. +
used to get drcadfully tired of him. He
was really too devoted to be at all interest
ing, and l had reached that state of feeling
that, If summarily ordered to take my
choice between him and the gallows, I
would have prepared myself for hanging
with a sort of cheerful alacrity.
Locked the door upon John OH the eve
ming in question, when had finally gotten
rid of him, with these feelings in force; and
mcditated while undressing on some des-
pcrate move that should bring matters to q
crisis.
But the boy had become reused at last.-
lie, too, had reflected in the watches Of the
night; and next day received quite dig
nificd letter from him, telling mo that bust
ness called him from the city, for two or
three weeks, and that possibly on his return
might appreciate his devotion better. l
felt incxpressivcly relieved. 1t appeared
to nc the most sensible move that John
made in the whole course Of OUR acq,,ain-
tancc, and began to breathe with more
freedom.
Time flew, however, and the three weeks
heightened to six without Johns return.
Vln Ntn ko 1,,.k IL
somewhat constrained and scarcely knew
give me up, thought; but felt sure that
he would hold me to at weak promise of
mine, that I should either become Edna
Crawford or remain Edna Darlington.
"Mr. Crawford" was announced one
evening, and l entered the parlor fully pre-
pared for an overdose of John, but found
myself confronted by his father.
He looked very grave; and instantly l
imagined all sorts of things, and reproachcd
myself from my ooldncss. .'...
"John is well" I gasped finally.
"Quite well, was the reply in such kind
tones that felt sure there was something
wrong.
What it was cared not, but poured forth
my feelings impetuously to my astonishcd
visitor.
"He must not come here again" I ex-
claimed. 81 do not wish to sec him. Toll
him 80, Mr. Crawford tell him that had
rather remain Edna Darlington, as he made
me promise, than to become Edna Gran
ford"
"And he made you promise this2" was
the reply. "The selfish felow7 But,
Edna, what am to do without the little
girl that have been expecting2 am very
loncly-so lonely that do not, sec how
can give her up" o. Ysa' ut ~
glanced at him and the room seemed
swimming round--everything was dread
fully unreal. tried to sit down, and was
carried tenderly to the sofa, Ei,,
"Shall it be Edna Darlington or Edna
Cranford2" he whispered. "You need not
break your promise to john"
"Edna Crawford" " replied, feeling that
/ had left the world entire and was in an
other sphere Of existence. .ai.
If the thought crossed my mind that Mr..
Crawford had rather cheerfully supplanted
his son, the proceeding was fully justified
during the visit which soon received from
that young gentleman. / tried to make 1t
plain to him that did no wrong, as I had
never professed to love him though not at
all sure that I wouldn't receive the shaking
threatened on previons occasion, and I
endeavored to be as tender as possible, for
] felt very sorry for him. g
I TO my surprise, John laughed.
swell, this is jollyI" ho exclaimed
"And Pm not villain, after all. What
do you think of her, Edna2" 8rT
He produced an ivorytype in rich vel
vet case--a pretty little blue-eycd simple
ton; she looked like etat II. =,
"Rose," he continued Rose Darling;
the name suits her, doesn't it2 sho was
staying at my uncle's in Maryland-that's g
where I've been visiting, you know--and
she's such dear little confiding thing fel.
low couldn't help falling in love with hel
And she thinks no end of me, you see;
says she's afraid of me; and all that. " ,-gp5
John knew that wasn't bit afraid Of
him, but felt an elderly sisterly sort Of
interest in his happiness, and had never
liked him go well as at that momont And
this was the dreadful news that his father
had come to break to me, when his nara.
tive was nipped in the bud by my reyela.