The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1881-12-14

sAiiL ~ Sot1iicu y RNohoi uWiui hppoAla-
ton, and sat down with q quailed and
guilty feeling.
II wasn't aware" she went on, "that
you were acquainted with my daughter"
CT wasn't, bat lit raiued so very
hard"
II couldn't stay there all night, and
nobody came for nae. am sure it was
extremely kind Of Mr.. Pettibone, and I
am very much obliged to him whether
he was acquainted with me or not" in
terposed Jane, sharply, drawing ler
mothers fire.
~ remarked" returned the latter
lady, in powerful baritone voice, "I
remarked, Miss Porter, that the gentle
man was very good; but" she added,
with great emphasis and significance,
" the question as to the propriety of re-
ceiving such marked kindness from
strangers"
"If | am to be left to the mercy of
strangers, I shall accept their kindness,
and gratefully, too, "retorted Jane, shut
ting her lips very tight.
~ was about to remark, Miss Porter,
Il you had given NE the opportunity,
that your father and brother are both alb
sent, and You can hardly expect that L"
ooh, no; no, indeed I never for u
moment INDUCED in any such fond delu-
sion, interrupted Jane in an ironi al
tone.
This little episode between Jane and
her step-mamma, seemingly so trivial,
proved Of the utmost importance to me.
Driven to undertake my defense by the
criticism of her imposing relative, Jane
was led perversely to take an interest III
me which / might otherwise have yNinly
striven to awaken, and was rewarded
on leaving with cordial invitation to
call.
| was not slow in availing myself of
the privilege, but the first time | went,
and while l was sitting in the parlor,
with my heart all in tlutter, waiting
Jane to come down, the door opened,
and who should walk in but the red
headed youth. Here was II situation.
He coolly stared at me. l fiercely
glared ut him. He took no notice of
this, but threw himself Familiarity into
chair and crossed his legs, as though he
had come for the evening. This was
more than could stand.
"Sir," 1 said, inhamed with wrath
and jealousy, "there is one too many
of us here. | came ON invitation; if you
are going to stay, l will leave"
"Eh Who the devil are your he
exclaimed, with impudent sang Jroid.
CT! No matter who am, sir.
We two cannot stay in this house to-
gether, that's all r l cried, starting
from my seat in transport.
At this minute Jane came in. She
shook hands cordially, smiled, and then,
turning toward the red headed youth,
said, "This is my brother, Mr.. Petit
bone Z.
Mrs. Porter looked upon mo from the
first with disapproval which rapidly
ripenod to aversion. As for me, l may
as well be candid and say at once that |
was afraid of her. And with good
cause; she was a woman born to rule.
She held the little doctor and his auburn
son completely under her thumb. Jane
was the only member Of the family who
dared withstand her 1t was, perhaps,
the consciousness of my shrinking dread
of her step mother that made Jane more
than usually gracious, and rendered my
progress swift to degree that proved to
my conservative temperament somewhat
bcwidering. As my ardor cooled before
the prospect of duly encounter with
this family Gorgon, Jane became, in
turn, more tender and encouraging. In
deed, in after years, when Mrs. Petit
bone and lat rare, very rare, intervals
have INDUCED in little mutual, mutual
let us say explanations have somo-
times timidly limited in self-defense that
she did the lions share OF the wooing |;
for which have been instantly and per-
haps deservedly silenced by the unpal-
stable avowal that she chad ouly mar
ried me to spite her step-mother."
What good ground there was for these
mutual accusations may be best gathered
from little conversation that took place
between Jane and me one evening on
the doorstep, conversation which, l
may say, sealed my fate.
1t was bright moonlight evening.
We were sitting in the shadow OF the
porch. l was absently holding James
hand.
"Mr. Pettibone," she said, suddenly,
chow long have we known each otherY
"Ahout three months, | believe"
at seems ever SO long, doesn't it?"
"Well, ye-es it does"
cts because we've seen 80 much O
each other"
81 dare say"
"You've been here great deal
haven't your"
"Have II"
dropped James hand with discom
flied feeling. She let it rest on my arm,
and edged little nearer.
"Why, yes; 1 never had a gentleman
call so often-that is, not lately"
"I-,I'm sorry" faltered.
dispose it must look rather particu'
lar"
"Eh! Why SOP" I inquired, with Q
vague feeling of alarm.
"Why, it might-that is, folks might
say that you-you almost must mean
something !"
James hand was again lying in mine,
though l didn't put it there.
Mean-mean something7" 1echoed'
eyes"
James head was now leaning on m,
shoulder. I don't know how 1t hap
pened. I only know I had mo-
stirred.
but II assure you don't"
stammered, very much embarrassed.
whats that?" cried Jane, sharply
sitting bolt upright and Withdrawing hel
hand violently.
"That is, 1 should say-of course,
do"
There was now q long silence, during
which James head gradually sank to its
former position.
"You say. you-you do, Mr.. Petit
bone2"
l. II