River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1879-05-01
at his particular request, touched me cor

at his particular request, touched me cor
siderably
Il hope" said he, ssthat you will no
refuse my boy, Miss Edna. He has Sc
his heart so fully upon you, and you ar,
everything that | could desire in
daughter. | want some one to pet.
feel sadly lonely at times, and I am SURE
that you would just fill the vacaniluicle !.
] drew my hand away from his cares
and almost felt like hating John Gran
ford. Life with him would be one O
ease and luxury: but ! decided that
had rather keep boarders.
Not long after this the Cranfords con
cluded to go to house keeping, and Mrs
Shellgrove was in her glory. She always
came to luncheon now in her bonnet
and gave Us minute details all that had
beer done and talked of about the house
in the last twenty-four hours.
1T is really magnificent" said she
lengthening out each syllable. Brother
has such perfect taste; and he is actually
furnishing the library, Miss Edna, after
your suggestion. Yoy see we look upon
you quite as one of the family
''Tnat is very good of you," / replied,
shortly; "but certainly have no expecta-
ton of ever belonging to it."
The house was finished and moved in
to, and John spent his evenings with me.
He was really too devoted TO be at all
interesting. and / had reached that state
of feeling that, if summarily ordered to
take my choice between him and the gal
lows, would have prepared myself for
hanging with sort of cheerful alacrity.
| locked the door upon John on the
evening in que.tion, when | had finally
gotten rid of him, with these feelings in
full force; and | meditated while I'M
dressing on some desperate move that
should bring matters to crisis.
But the boy had become reused at last
He, too, had reflected in the watches of
the night: and next day | received quite
dignifed letter from him, telling me
that busint SIS called him from the city for
two or three weeks, and that possibly on
his return / might appreciate his devo-
tion better. felt inexpressibly relieved
1t appeared to me the most sensible move
that John had made during the whole
course Of our acquaintance, and began
10 breathe with more freedom.
Time few, however, and the three
weeks heightened 10 six without Johns
return. He wrote to me, but his letters
became somewhat constrained, and |
scarcely knew what TO mako of him. If
he would only give me up thought;
but | felt sutc that he would hold me to
a very weak promise of mine, that |
should either become Edna Crawford or
remain Edna Darlington.
'Mr. Crawford gas announced one
evening, and | entered the parlor fully
prepared to meet with n overdose of
John. but found myself confronted by his
father.
He licked very grave, and instantly
imagined all sorts of things and re-
preached myself for my GOODNESS.
John is well27 gasped finally.
Quite WELL" was the reply, in such
kind tones that felt sure there was
something wrong.
What it was / cared not, but pourcs
forth my feelings impetuously TO my as
tonished visitor.
s'He must not come here again. | ex-
claimed ~ do not wish to see him. Tell
him so, Mr.. Crawford tell him that
| had rather remain Edna Darlington, as
he made me promise, than to become Ell
ma Cranfordn
And he made you promise thisf' was
the reply, "The selfish fellowl But, Ed
ma, what am to do without the little girl
l have been expecting2 am very lonely
so lonely that do not see how | can
give him up"
/ glanced at him, and the room seemed
swimming round-evergthin was dread
fully unreal tried to sit down and was
carried tenderlv 10 the sofa.
@Shall it be Edna Darlington or Edna
Cranford?" he whispered. You need
not break your promise to John"
EDNA Crawford" Ireplied, feeling that
had left the world entirely, and was in
another sphere of existence.
If the thought crossed my mind that
MIR. Crawford had rather cheerfully sup
planted his son, The proceeding was fully
justified during the visit which | soon re-
ceived flom that young gentleman. |
tried to make 1t plain 10 him that l dld
him no wrong, as | had never professed
to love him, though not at all sure that |
wouldn't receive the shaking threatened
on a previous occasion, and endeavored
to be as tender as possible. for felt real
IT. sorry FOR him.
To my great surprise, John laughed.
well, this is jolly' he exclaimed.
"And | am not villain, after all. What
do You think of her, Edna?"
He produced an ivory type in itch
velvet Casa pretty, little, blue-eyed
simpleton; she looked like that at IL.
Rose" he continued Arose Darling;
the name suits her. doesn't it? She was
staying at my uncles in Maryland-that's
where I have been visiting, you know
and she's such dear little confiding
thing a fellow couldn't help falling IN
love with her. And she thinks no end
of me, you see; says she's quite afraid OF
me, and all that"
John knew that | wasn't bit afraid OF
him; but felt an elder sisterly sort OF
interest in his happiness, and had never
liked him so well as at that moment.
And this was the dreadful news that his
father had come to break to me. when
his narrative was nipped in the bud by
nv revelations, and the interview ended
in far more satisfactory manner than
either of us had anticiDated