The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1879-04-03

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"
That is very good Of you." l replied,
shortly; "but | certainly have no expecta-
ion Of ever belonging to il"
Mrs. Shellgrove laughed as though /
had perpstratcd an excellent joke.
Young ladies always deny these
things, Of course; but John tells differ
ent story"
] 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.
WASH it, after all my duty to marry the
family generally?
The house was finished and moved into.
and John spent his evenings with me.
used to get dreadfully tired Of him. He
was really too devoted to be at all inter
esting, and l had reached that state of
feeling that. if summary ordered to take
my choice between him and the gallows,
| would have prepared myself for hang
ing with sort of cheerful alacrity.
locked the door upon John on the even
ing in question, when had finally gotten
rid of him. with these feelings in full force;
and meditated while undressing 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
a dignihed letter from hum, telling me that
business called him from the city for two
or three weeks, and that possibly on his
return might appreciate his devotion bet
ter. felt inexpressibly relieved. 1t APP
peared to me the most sensible move that
John had made in the whole course of our
acquaintance, and began to breathe with
more freedom.
Time flew, however, and the three weeks
heightened to SIX without Johns return.
He wrote to me, but his letters became
somewhat constrained; and l scarcely
knew what to make of him. If he would
only give me up. thought; but 1 felt
sure that he would hold me to that weak
promise of mine, that should either be-
come Edna Crawford or remain Edna Car
rlngton.
"Mr. Crawford" was announced one
evening. and l entered the parlor fully
prepared for an overdose of John. but
found myself confronted BY his father.
He looked very grave; and instantly
imagined all sorts of things, and reproach-
ed myself for my GOODNESS.
''John is well?" | gasped finally.
'Quite we'll" was the reply in such
kind tones that felt sure there was some
thing wrong.
What it was | cared not, but poured
forth my feelings impetuously to my as
tonished visitor.
HE must not come here again." lex
claimed. 81 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 Edna
Crawford"
And he made you promise this?" was
the reply. 1.-The selfish fellow? But,
Edna, what am to do without the little
girl ! have been expecting? | am very
lonely-so lonely that do not see how ]
can give her up"
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.
shall II be Edna Carrlngton or Edna
Cranford?" he whispered. You need not
break your premise to john"
Edna Crawford, replied, feeling that
| had left the world entirely, and was In
another sphere of existence.
If the thought crossed my mind that Mr..
Crawford had rather cheerfully supplanted
his son, the proceeding was fully justi-
fed during the visit which soon received
from that young gentleman. tried to
make it plain to him that I did him no
wrong, as had never professed to love
him, though not at all sure that wouldn't
receive the shaking threatened on a preyi-
Gus occasion, and | endeavored to be as
tender as possible, for felt really sorry
for him.
To my great surprise. John laughed.
well, this is jolly!" he exclaimed.
"And I'm not villain, after all. What
do you think of her, Edna?"
He produced an ivorytype in a rich vel
vet Casa pretty, little blue-eyed simple
ton; she looked like ntat II.
Rose, he continued-"Rose Darling:
the name suits her, doesn't it? She was
staying at my uncle's in Maryland-that'
where I've 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 afraid of me, and all
that"
John knew that wasn't bit afraid of
him; but ! felt an elder sisterly sort of in
terest liz his happiness. and had never
liked him so well as at that moment. And
this was the dreadful news that his father
had corae to break to me, when his mar
rative was nipped in the bud of my reve-
iations, and the interview ended in far
more satisfactory manner than either of US
had anticipated.
So kept my promise to John. after all, |
and as Miss Rose kept hers. he is now a |
steady married man, and very agreeable |
'on-in-law.