Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1885-12-24
chancod that during Edith's short visit no

| DER now ne looked. lie wrote laHt winter
that he might be at home next Christmas,
but Il seems he has altered his plans, and IL
coming seeHef.n
Sis Ee iaarriedss asked Edith.
\ sNo, he is an old bachelor"
During the remainder of the walk up TO
the house, in which Albert accompanied
her, Edith was silent and thoughtful, so
much so that Albert inquired if she were
not feeling well.
Perfectly" she answered. II ain only 4
little. tired from The, ,i9ng walk have taken"
"We viii have Miss Peeriam give us a
lunch, and; after you arc rested, will you
play one of those new pieces for me2"
Edith assented, and they went into the
house. At the foot of the great staircase
they met young girl, perhaps few years
Edith's junior, who blushed deeply as she
saw them. This was Agnes Draper, who
had once been Alberts playpatey and; until
Miss Nersn's Arrival the only y8ung woman
| with whoin he Was ever known to stop and
converse. He now greeted her rather in
differently, while his companion beamed
Her appearance formed a striking Sdh-
trast to, that OF the City girl She was
plainly dressed in a dark print, with coarse
shoes and brown straw hat. Edith wore
dainty lawn, edged with lace and looped
/
a wealthy farmer who could we'll afford to
deck his daughter with "gew-gaws," as he
called them, while Mr.. Norton struggled
hard TO maintain large family on his
clerks salary of iive hundred year:
Agnes had also COME on SOME efrand
connected With Miss Peeriaihs department,
and remained but a few moments.
Albert and Edith were soon seated before
| the ancient pianoforte, where she was play
fully instructing him in the first principles
of music, q course 4f study which he occa-
sionally varied by discussing his plans for
the, future.
They had already decided that their mar
riage should take place as soon as possible
after he had attained his twenty first birth
day. For the present, the whole matter
was to be kept secret His guardiar
Lawyer Holden, had arranged FOR Him t6
spend the next six months ut business
college, there t6 supplement- what knowl-
edge he had acquired under the tuition Of
the schoolmaster.
AFTER that, he said to Edith, II shall
be my own master, and can manage affairs
| to suit myself"
"And the first use you will make of your
| freedom will be 10 leave home and see
something of the world"
"Not unless YOU are with me-" said AL
bert, putting his arm around her waist.
She smiled, n self=satisfed smile, and
pfofessed her intention of departing for the
! Village. He accompanied her, and SO busily
were they engaged In conversation that they
| had heared her aunts house and We're OBJ
served by that lady herself before he turned
to retrace his footsteps.
Edith was scarcely Seated in the little
room which Served as shop and parlor
when her aunt began. "Seems to me young
Rodbrook is getting wonderfully attentive
to you. What does il all mean?"
Edith considered moment, then thought
| best to make contidante of her aunt.
"He has asked me to marry him." she re-
piled, somewhat proudly.
"Well, WE'LL" said her relative, evidently
think OF getting married, but he may be
rich man some day.
MAY bel" repeated Edith; h;with heightened
color: "Doesnt the farm, or part OF 1t; be-
long to him?"
"Bless your heart, no. His grandfather
made a will leaving it all to Alberts uncle,
that's travelling in some heathenish country,
and if he dies without any children, 1t goes
to the grandson"
@HoW unjust" said Edith, "to cut his
Oldest sons child off in that way"
AZ suppose he didn't want the farm di-
yided, and it's pretty certain James will
never marry. Besides, he always said that
he believed in young mans starting oul
for himself. Albert gets an allowance OF
three hundred every year until he's twenty
one. Then hear he Is going to study tol
book keeper or cashier"
Three hundred year, and that to cease
at the end of six months. How suddenly
had all of Edith's air castles fallen to the
ground. Instead of owning this vast es
tate, her lover was poor boy, hardly bettel
off in this worlds goods than herself.
She was too proud, however, to ALLOW
Mrs. Hargrave to witness her chagrin, ant
merely requesting the latter not to mentor
her engagement, she went to her room.
Then she thought over the matter lonl
and earnestly. II had been great disap
pointment to learn how Alberts pecuniar.
affairs stood; but, then, there was posi-
bility of his some day being wealthy man
that is. if another plan which had hal
, shaped itself in her mind, while she FIRE
quently glanced in the mirror opposite, di
not succeed.
, Her recent conquest had increased tn
vanity natural to her disposition, and sh
scarcely doubted her ability to charm an
lord of creation she might encounter.
She wound up her meditations by resolv
| ing to treat Albert, for the present at least
| as if these disagreeable tidings had neve
reached her ears. e
! There was only one more meeting of tn
Youthful lovers before Albert was oblige
| to depart for distant city. Then he in
formed Edith that his uncle had arrived
r and so far had been very generous to him.
9 81 should like to have you see him." b
n whispered, as they stood on the little pore
: in front of Mrs. Hargrave's residence, bid
1 ding each other farewell; "but you leave Il
e home so soon suppose it will be imposs
Z BILE this summer. He has a great many IL
v gal matters to look after, and spends nearl
: every day in the CITY,"
Edith thought differently, but 81
Q changed the subject, and inquired il
: would not spend Christmas at Elmdale.
II hardly think so. Mr.. Holden is an
s ious for me to devote every minute to N
n studies, and should lose nearly week
: coming home; but will write often, al
you know how eagerly l shall look Tor yo'
n letters"
e There was much more said in tende
's confidential undertone, many vows OF col
stancy exchanged, and then Albert went {
IS his way, cheered by the thought that Il
II girl he loved was interested in his welfa
d and cared for his success in the new pa
+ he was about to pursue.
Mrs. Hargrave was not little surprls'
ID when Edith announced her intention
le spending another fortnight In Elmdale; b
2, the girl was lively and companionable, b
a sides affording her considerable assistan
in the dressmaking line; so she raised
he objection.
n, One day, when the elder lady was eI
is ployed elsewhere, Edith donned her fires
est muslin, and slipping n roll of music u
d, der her arm, set out for the Rodbrook ma