Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1880-11-12


ing entire charge of you, She seems such d
child"
"Childp cried Miss Franks. "a more
beautiful woman l have never SEEM and
she's five and twenty if she's day But
there; l suppose you have no eyes for any
one but that baby faced chit you are going
to marry. Had you seen how that child,
that young person. has managed every.
thing since was brought in, and how she
has cared for my comfort in every way, you
would scarcely sneer at her and call her a
child ~
81 am sure" replied Doctor Franks, with
gravity that did him infinite credit, 81 am
exceedingly obliged to her, and will thank
her personally when go down"
y
Miss Franks was seated in lounge chair
in the cosy bed room given up to her by her
young hostess, who had been reading aloud,
but tancying her companion seemed inclined
to doze, had let her book fall from her hand,
and was gazing into the fire, which, in spite
of the soft air Of fast approaching spring,
had been lighted for the invalid.
Miss Franks, however, was not asleep; but
was looking, with half closed eyes at the
picture the fitful blaze lit up with rich ar
tistic coloring.
Violet's rounded figure was shown to per-
lection by the unstudied grace other attitude
as she leaned back in her low chair, her
hands clasped behind her head. Her rich
dark brown hair grew low ON her broad
| forehead, her soft hazel eyes-in sunlight
blue, at night black-seemed ready to
brighten to smile, ready, too, to darken to
grave and tender sympathy. Miss Franks,
though naturally II shy woman, was quite
at home with her lovely, CHEEKY young host
ess, and even allowed herself to be scolded
and petted by her TO an extent not little
amusing to the grave doctor
With an impatient sigh the invalid broke
the silence.
REALLY, Miss Matthews, cannot allow
you to give up so much of your time to me"
Nonsense, Miss Franks" replied Violet,
startled from her revery. "What have to
do! Aunt sleeps half the day, and her maid
is within call besides, making myself use
full will keep me out of mischief, as Doctor
Franks says"
ut is very impertnent of him." observed
Miss Franks, "but | must say he has been
very attentive to me. Pm sure have told
him over and over again that do not need
two visits day but he will come. / only
wish he came to see some one else"
"What do you mean ?" asked Violet, inno-
Gently
"Oh, never mind, dear! ! won't think Of
the subject--it is Il most painful one to me-
Perhaps ! may tell you some day, if you
care to be bored with my troubles"
"rell me now" pleaded Violet, "and per
haps can help you"
"Help me indeed p exclaimed Miss Franks
"rhe only way you could help me would be
to marry my brother"
My dear Miss Franks, said Violet, laugh
ing, show can | do that when he is engaged
to some one else, think you told mel"
"No, did not" returned Miss Franks,
sharply-"l have never mentioned anything
about it; but that's my trouble. lie has pro.
posed TO some young chit no more fit to be
his wife than-than-"
81 am" put in Violet
"Thank you, my dear p exclaimed Miss
Franks, pulling her towards her and kissing
her affectionately. "If she were one quarter
as suitable as you should not mind"
but" argued Violet, with diflident cold
ness, "but how do you know your brother
has chosen unwiselyg Perhaps when you
see more of the gIrl he loves, you will like
her as well as you do me"
"Neverp rejoined Miss Franks, emphati-
cally. 81 have never loved any young per-
son as | have learned to love you. No one
could have resisted such unlailing kindness.
! only wish that when this hateful marriage
takes place could have this room for my
own. shall have TO find some home near"
ado you really mean that you would like
me 10 be with you always" asked Violet,
with sparkling eyes
Indeed | do, dear could not be 50 much
with you without discovering that home
with you must be happy one--without
fec ing the charm Of your brightness, your
sweet temper and utter unsellshness.
"rhank you" said Violet earnestly, press.
ing Miss Franks thin hand caressingly 10
her fresh young face. "And now," she add
ed, as you have told me your trouble, will
tell you a secret. am going to be married
in the autumn"
''Oh, dear~ exclaimed Miss Franks.
"But my marriage need not form an obsta-
Gle TO your coming To sec me; for we shall
have two comfortable rooms TO spare. We
had hoped that lavoritc sister of my future
husband would had lived with us; but she
declined She thinks | am too young and in
experienced 10 be able 10 make home com.
Portable"
"Shc is fool, thenn' CURLY replied Miss
Franks, "and can't know you. | certainly
know something Of housekeeping, and |
consider you an excellent manager. II L
could only live with you, | should think
myself a fortunate old woman indeed but
then there Is something about you no one
can resist"
Johns own words" thought Violet, tri.
umphantly. "Well," said she, 1--WE will talk
this over tomorrow, when, perhaps, aunt
will be well enough to see you. And now
you promise me something2 viii you come
down for little time after dinnerg Doctor
Franks says you may; and want to intro
ducc some one 10 you. You must guess
who IL Isl !" and, with saucy nod Of her
pretty head, she was gone
After dinner Miss Franks, without wait.
ing for Violet, made her way down 10 the
drawingroom. A fire was burning cheer.
fully, and on small table near an easy
chair was fragrant bouquet Of spring flow.
ers, tasteiully arranged. Violet entered in
few moments looking radiantly happy, and,
coming up 10 the old lady, kissed her, saying