The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 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 torbidding, as if the proud
spirit of the house would frown back all
outsiders. The. leahess branches of the
elms on either side of the long avenue
tossed their bare arms in the chilly
bretZ', 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 mu mur:" Has it come to thisP"
In the bare chambers fiutterin q
threads of tapestry and heavy velveI
moth eaten furniture as all that was
left OF the former grandeur of the house,
and the ghosts OF the ancient owners
seemed TO linger in every dark corner.
In a large. shabblly-furnish room,
before bright wood fire, sat q young
girl. The Pickering light fell upon her
small oval face, with its surrounding
halo OF golden hair, and played lovingly
about the white hands and slender fig.
u1e. She SIT in huge old armchair. her
cheek resting upon one hand, and hrr
gray eyes fixed upon the bright flames.
She seemed out of place in that dark
somber room, from the walls which
armed knights and beruff, d white
bearded courlers looked down upon her
from ont their heavy frames as if il
wonder at her dainty presence. The
ftmes ticltred and danced. castir Z
strange 81 adows upOn the walls; the
wind sighed mOurnfully in the wild,
chimney hut Janet Warden was buried
in hrr own.thoughts, and was not to ht
disturbed from them. Surely they were
pleasant ones, for a smile played upon
her bps, and blush rose to her cheek
every now and then, as she sat there
gazing into the leaping flames. At last.
however, she reused herself, and rising
from bor chair, stood for a lew minute es
irresoluteiy,- her bands cIasping each
other tightly. Then, with light stcp.
she left the room, and crossing the cold
dark ball paused before door. OGep-
ing it she entered n room smaller than
that which she bad left, and darker, for
the wood fire burnt low, and there was
no lamp on the table, which was sire x n
with books and papers. In an armchair
betorathe tlre sat man who seemed to
be asleep, for his head leant against the
back 81 the chair and his eyes were
'Sf S&FSsfther +"
The eyes slowly opened, and Mr..
Warden raised his head.
"Ah, J{pet! When did YOU come
home, dearP" he said. looking fondly AT
the blooming face bent over him.
An hour ago, father Mr.. " God
drove me home"
There was little hesitancy about the
last speech, and Janet drew a low seat
10 her fathers side, and taking his left
hand, caressed it softly.
So Mr.. Wood drove you home,
Janet! Very kind Of him-wasnt itP
Hes line tellow-l always liked him. y
Janet still caressed the hand she
held, and Mr.. Warden spoke again:
~ hope, my dear, you went dressed as
you should be-"
"Oh, yes, father, dear. You know. if
! do not dress like the Greys aud the
Nortons, | can always afford to look
like lady"
ME-: Warden nodded his head grayelv,
and Janet pressed her lips to his hand.
Father, dear, she said, in q low
voice that trembled, - have something
to tell you."
TO tell me, Janet2 Let me hear il,
any kind oA
AND Mr.! Warden looked graver.
On, no. father Mr.. Wood and
Janet's lace grew crimson in the flicker.
ing firel.ght-''he asked-me-oh, father
Ito be his wife"
Janet hid her face on the broad hand
clasped in hers, and there was silence ia
the dark room.
AT last Mr.. Warden laid his other
hand upon his dauehter's dropping head
and said, huskilyis is'And what was your
answer, JanetP"
"oh, fathcr-I was so surprised-so
SO troubled, that IL said Yes" and
Janet burst into tears.
Again Mr.. Warden strOked the droop-
ing mead and said, quietly: "And-and
do you love him, JanetP"
Janes did not answer at once-per-
maps her tears prevented her-then she
raised her arms and threw them round
her fathers neck.
Oh-so much, father-so very-very
much-Very muchl Is it wropSP on.
NO, ! m sure you will not ay SOD
MY dear, said Mr.. Warden. "it ia
noI wrong Tor it must have come TO this
aT last ana L would rather It should be
Hehry WOOD than any other man |
hn9w. but' my child, he must know
ti t9ab you on mve pennless. Have you told
"Oh father, he knows-everv ono
does, that we are Toor, and-,,nd that
nave nothing. But he says"- and
Janet's features frightened through her
Tears" that he does not care for NV