Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1881-01-13
JANET'S FORTUNE.


stood out grim and dark against the clear
cold wintry day. Its long narrow win
dows and closed oaken doors looked
stern and iorbidGing, as if the proud
spirit of the house would frown back all
outsiders. The leafess branches of the
elms on either side of the long avenue
tossed their bare arms in the chilly
breeze, and moaned over the fallen for
tune OF the owner of the Manor, and the
very wind itself seemed to sigh mourn.
fully as it soughed round the corners
CT the house, and down the tall twisted
chimney.
In The picture gallery old portraits
looked grimly at each other in the dim
light, and seemed to shake their heads
and murmur: Has it come to thisPu
In the bare chambers fiuttering q
threads of tapestry and heavy velvet
moth eaten furniture v as all that was
LETT OF the former grandeur OF the house,
and the ghosts OF the ancient owners
seemed to linger in every dark corner.
In large. shabbily-furnished room,
before q bright wood fire, sat a young
girl. The fiickering light fell upon her
small oval face, with its surrounding
halo OF golden hair, and played lovingly
about the white hands and slender fig
ure. She sat in huge old armchair, her
cneek resting upon one hand, and her
gray eyes fixed upon the bright flames.
She seemed out of place in that dark,
somber room, from the walls cf which
armed knights and beruffed white
bearded courtiers looked down ur on her
from out their heavy frames as if in
wonder at her dainty presence. The
hames ti'ckered and danced, casting
strange ST adows upon the walls; the
wind sighed mournfully in the wide
chimney, but Janet Warden was buried
IN htrown thoughts, and was not to be
disturbed from them. Surely they were
pleasant ones, for smile played upon
her bps, and a blush rose to her cheek
every now and then, as she sa. there
gazing into the leaping flames. At last,
however, she reused herself, and rising
from her chair, stood for few minutes
irresolutely. her hands clasping each
other tightly. Then, with light step,
she left the room, and crossing the cold
dark hall paused before door. Open
ing 1t she entered room smaller than
that which she had left, and darker. for
the wood fire burnt low, and there was
no lamp on the table, which was strewn
with books and papers. In an armchair
before the fire sat rnan who seemed to
be asleep, for his head leant against the
back OF the chair and his eyes were
closed
Father 10
The eyes slowly opened, and Mr..
Warden raised his head.
All, Janetl When did you come
home, dearP" he said, looking fondlv at
the blooming face bent over him.
An hour ago, father-Mr. " ood
drove me home'
There was a little hesitancy about the
last speech, and Janet drew low seat
to her fathers side, and taking his left
hand, caressed it softly.
$50 Mr.. Wood drove you home.
JanetP Very kind of him-wasn't itf
He's line fellow-1 always liked him. y
Janet still caressed the hand she
held, and Mr.. Warden spoke again:
l hope, my dear, you went dressed as
you should be-"
"Oh. yes. father. dear. You know. II
| do not dress like the Crews and The
Nortons, l can always afford to look
ike a lady"
Mr.. Warden nodded his head erayelv.
and Janet pressed her lips to his hand.
Father, dear, she said, in q low
voice that trembled, i have something
to tell YOU"
"To tell me, Janetp Let me hear it,
dear; hope you are in no trouble Of
And Mr.. Warden looked grayer.
On, no, father. Mr.. Wood land
Janet's face grew crimson in the flicker
ing firelight-sshe asked -oh, father
Ito be bis wife,"
Janet hid her face ON the broad hand
clasped in hers, and there was silence in
the dark room.
At last Mr.. Warden laid his other
hand upon his dauehter's dropping head,
and said, huskily !" And what was youI
answer, Janetpn
"Oh, father-I was SO surprised-go
so troubled, that I'll said Yes.u and
Janet burst into tears.
Again Mr.. Warden stroked the droop.
ing head, and said. quietly: ssAnd--and
do you love him, Janetpn
james did not answer at once-ner-
haps her tears prevented her-then gbe
raised her arms and threw them round
her fathers neck.
Oh-so much. father-so very-ver,
much-very muchi Is it wrongP Oh
no, I'm sure you will not say So.
My dear, said Mr.. Warden. " It i.
not wrong, for it must have come to thi!
at last; and would rather it should bt
Henry Wood than any other man
know. But, my child, be must know
that you are penniless. Have you tolt
him thispr
"Oh. father, be Knows-evefy or.
does, that we are poor, and-ssnd that
naVe nothing. But he says''- AMI
Janet's features frightened through he
iears--" that be does not care for m m,