Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1883-06-27


among the first were Mr.. Crawford and
his son AMI sister, who had Just been
wrecked themselves by the death of
the wife and mother in foreign land
one Of those sudden unexpected
deaths, that leave the survivors in Il
dazed condition, because it is so dilli-
cult to imagine the gay wording who
has been called hence in another state
of being.
Mr.. Crawford was one of my admra-
tions from the first. Tall, pale, with
dark hair and eyes, he reminded me of
Dante, only that he was handsomer;
and he had such general air of know
ing everything worth knowing with
out the least pedantry, however, that
| was quite afraid of him. He was
evidently wrapped up in John, and
patient to his sister which was asking
quite enough of Christian charity under
the sun, for Mrs. Shellgrove was an
unmitigated nuisance Such talker!
babbling of her own and her brothers
affairs with equal ind3cretiOn, and
treating the latter as though he were
an incapable infant.
They stayed with us three years and
during that time was fairly perSecu-
ted about John. Mrs. Shellgrove
wrote me letter on the subject, in
which she informed me that the whole
family were ready to receive me with
open arms--a prospect that | did not
find at all alluring. They seemed to
have their hearts set upon me as per
son peculiarly fitted to train John in
the way he should go. Everything,
was told, depended on his getting the
right kind of wife.
A special interview with Mr.. Gran,
ford, at his particular request, touched
lie considerably,
81 hope said he, "that you will not
refuse my boy, Miss Edna, lie has SCI
his heart so fully upon you, and you
are everything that | could desire in a
daughter. | want some one to pet.
feel sadly lonely at times, and am
sure you would fill the vacant niche"
| drew my hand away from his
caress, and almost felt like hating John
Crawford. Life with him would he
one of ease and luxury; but | decided
that had rather keep boarders.
Not long after this the Crantord>
concluded to go to housekeeping, and
Mrs. Shellgroye was in her glory. She
ALWAYS came to luncheon in her bonnet
and gave minute details Of all that haC
been done and talked of about the
house in the last twenty-iOur hours.
ut is really magnificent" said she
lengthening out each syllable. 'Brothel
has such perfect taste. And he i
actually furnishing the library Mis-,
Edna, after your sugge3tion. You see
we look upon you quite as one OF The
family"
THAT is very good Of you,' | replied
shortly; but certainly have no eA
pectations of ever belonging to it."
Mrs, Shellgrove laughed as though
had perpctrated an excellent joke.
Young ladies' always deny thes'
things, of course; but John tells a diff
ferent story"
ratified the cups and saucers angrily
and my thoughts flew off, not to John
but to Johns father, sitting lonely il
the library furnished after my sugges
ton. Wasn't it, after all, my duty t
marry the family generally;
The house was finished and moveC
into, and John spent his evenings will
Inc. | used to get drealfully tired o
him. He was too devoted to lie at al
interesting, and | hal reached tha
state of feeling which, if sunmar ly or
dered to take my choice between him
and the gallows, | would have prrpar
ed myself Tor the latter with sort .
alacrty.
locked the door upon John on tn
evening in question, when had hnall
got rid of him, with these things il
full force; and | meditatel while I'm
dressing on some desperate move tha
would bring matters to Il crisis.
But the boy had been reused at last
He, too, had reflected in the watches o
the night; and next day | receive
quite dignitied letter from him, tel
ing me that business called him frol
the city for three or four weeks, an
that possibly on his return | might al
preciate his devotion better.
| felt ineXpressibly relieved. 1t al
peared to me the most sensible move
ment that John had made in the whol
course of our acquaintance, and | b.
gan to breathe with more freedom.
Time flew, however, and the thrt
weeks lengthenrd to six, withol
Johns return. He wrote to me, bl
his letters became somewhat constrail
ed; and scarcely knew what to max
of him. If he would only give me ul
] thought; but | felt sure that b
would hold me to that weak promis
of mire. that | should either becOn
Edna Crawford or remain Edna Ca
rington.
"Mr. Crawford" was announced OF
: evening, and entered the parlor full
prepared for an overdose of John, b'
found myself confronted by hls fathe
, He looked very grave, and instant