The Canton advocate. [volume] (Canton, D.T. [S.D.]) 1877-1897, 1879-05-08
shortly; tbut certainly have no expecta.
ton q gcr belonging to it."

l AnSLSAAY0oO WOO AulouCN 0uu ulOvCu III
to, and 1ohn spent his evenings with me
He was eally too devoted to be at al
interesting, and I had reached that state
Of feeling that, if summarily ordered tc
take mychoice between him and the gal.
lows, 4 would have prepared myself 70,
hanginkwi'h sort Of cheerful alacrity
| looked the door upon John on the
evening in question, when had finally
gotten rid OF him, with these feelings in
full iotct; and l meditated while un-
dressing on some desperate move that
should bling matters to a crisis.
But tht boy had become reused at last
He, too, had reflected in the watches Of
the night and next day received quite
dignifA letter from him, telling me
that bnsi,. ss called him from the city fol
two or thee weeks, and that possibly on
his retnn might appreciate his devo-
ton Sssscis, felt inexpressibly relieved
It apnsxd to me the most sensible move
that John had made during the whole
course of our acquaintance, and l began
10 breathe with more freedom.
Time flew, however, and the three
weeks lengthened to six without Johns
return. He wrote to me, but his letters
became somewhat constrained, and
scarcely knew what to make of him. If
he would OILY give me up thought;
but felt sue that he would hold me to
very weak promise Of mine, that
should either become Edna Crawford or
remain Edna Darlington.
"Mr. Crawford" ras announced one
evening, anil entered the parlor fully
prepared to meet with an overdose of
John, but found myself confronted bv his
father. ~ -a- -.-E Z lr s.-a -
He licked very grave, and instantly
imagined all sorts of things and re-
preached myself for my coldness.
"John is vell2" l gasped finally.
"Quite WE'LL" was the reply, in such
kind tones that l felt sure there was
something wrong.
What it was / cared not, but poured
forth my feelings impetuousiy to my as
tonished visitor.
'He must not come here again p ex.
claimed. Il 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 Ed
ma Crarford" ms
''And he made you promise this?' was
the reply, 'Thc selfish fellow But, Ed
ma, what am to do without the little girl
l have been expecting2 l am very lonely
that do not see how can
give him up.'
glanced at him, and the room seemed
swimming round--everything was dread
fully unreal. tried to sit down and was
carried tenderlv 10 the sofa.
''Shall it be Edna Darlington or Edna
Cranfordl' he whispered. ''You need
not break your promise to John"
Edna Cranford," Ireplied, 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 sup
planted his son, the proceeding was fully
Justified during the visit which l soon re-
,eived from that young gentleman. I
tried to make it plain to him that l did
him no wrong, as had never professed
to love him, though not at all sure that
receive the shaking threatened
IN q previous occasion, and endeavOred
70 De as tender as possible. for felt real
y sorry Cor him.
To my great surprise, John laughed.
well, this is jolly' he exclaimed
And am not villain, after all. What
10 you think of her, Edna2'
He produced an ivory type in a 1ich
7elvet Casa pretty, little, blue-cyed
impleton; she looked like that at II.
''Rose," he continued -"Rose Darling;
he name suits her, doesn't it? She was
taying at my uncle's in Maryland-that's
where have been visiting, you know
md she's such dear little confding
hing fellow couldn't help falling in
owe with her. And she thinks no end
If me, you ste; says she's quite afraid of
ne, and all that
John knew that I wasn't bit afraid of
lin; but felt an elder sisterly sort of
interest in his happiness, and had never
liked him so we'll as at that moment.
And this was the dreadful news that MS
athcr had come to break to me, when
lis narrative was nipped in the bud by
ny revelations, and the interview ended
n far more satisfactory manner than
ither of us had anticipated.