The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1888-01-26

Bernard shrugs his shoulders and
forces smile Of compassion.
II should think, Bernard, " his sister
remarks, ''that you might have paid
moro attention to Mr.. Dervent, consid-
ering no was our guest"
Bernard hushes at this.
What could I do with IN old Methu-
selah like that?" no demanded indig-
nantly.
"old? Hes only about 49," aver.
Laura.
"And so fine lookingr says Edna.
Whereupon Bernard throws down his
book, taking his hat, thinks he will step
over to tho Ogilvies and ask Miss Bella
to 60 to church in the evening.
And Edna declares that she has q
headache, and retires to her room for q
nap, and lies awake for q full hour,
thinking.
She likes Bernard-likes him more
and more every day; but Mr.. Derwent
is rich, and she knows by this time that
she can, if she will, be mistress of that
elegant establishment opposite. Oh, il
l had never seen Bernard, how much
easier for me it would be-!
In tho two weeks following, Edna sees
a great deal of Mr.. Derwent. The town
in summer is gay with strangers, fol-
whom parties and picnics, and enter
tainments OF all sorts are got up; and
at these Mr.. Derwent and "that charm
ing little brunette, Miss Edna Porter,
are about the most conspicuous.
Edna" says Bernard, stepping
through the French window on tho pi-
azza; and taking q seat on the front
steps beside his cousin, "have you
promised to go to the party with the
patriarch ?"
The term he now generally applies to
Mr.. Derwent, who in the cool of the
evening has stopped for few moments
to exchange some pleasant remarks
with the young ladies', and has just left
them.
Now Edna has been all day expecting
Bernard to offer his escort to this party.
and she feels vexed that he has not done
SO.
IF I have" she says sharply, II don't
5: see , why you should want to know about
1T is none of my business now, GER
tainly. I can only leave you to your
chosen escort, and hope that you may
have nice time, and be benefited by
his society and conversation.
II don't see why should not have q
nice time in Mr.. Derwent's society, !"
says Edna still more sharply.
Certainly, if it were scientific lec-
ture, for instance, or q funeral, or a
murder trial; but for pleasure party
and dancing, don't you think little
eh-incongruous?"
Edna gives him o severe look. and
maintains dignified silence. Laura
comes hastily to the rescue.
"What will you wear?" she enquiries.
Blue, I hope" says Bernard quickly,
and with an earnest glance at his cousin
who looks up.
why" she asks softly. us it your
favorite color? or do I look better in
blue ?"
ooh, neither exactly; only"-he ap-
pears the least bit embarrassed "onl
the idea occurred to me that prefer to
SEQ ladies' dressed in blue"
Don't tell stories, Bernard, }" says his
sister reprov :ngly. "You know perfect
" we'll that you want Edna to wear blue
because Mr.. Derwent remarked just
now that he admired white. You've
oeen evesdropping at the window"
Bernard scrowls at his irrepressible
sister, and Edna colors.
'Of course, dear, you will wear
whlte?" Laura continues coaxingly.
"Mr. Derwent will expect it, you know. "
Indeed, don't see what right he
has to expect it," Edna answers with
sudden asperity.
And Bernardo contracted brow clears
again. He looks gratefully and almost
tenderly down at the still blushing face
beside him. But the girl plays with
her fan. and will not look up.
On the evening of the party, IN her
own room, Edna spreads out two
dresses side by side, and surveys them
long and meditatively.
She twice takes up the white robe,
but hesitates; and then she glances at
Bernard's portrait which hangs beside
Laura's over the little writing desk in
corner.
From this she turns to the window
and looks across at the handsome house
opposite.
Oh, if only that horsc were Bernard's
instead of Mr.. Derweat's But had not
Laura told her that her father had de-
clared he would have nothing to leave
herself and Bernard?
Down stairs in the parlor, the gentle
men are waiting.
A light step is heard on the stair, and
both the gentlemen turn.
A graceful, sylph-like figure stands
in the doorway, her eyes rather down.
cast as she pretends to arrange re.
fractory bracelet. There are crimson
roses in her dark hair, and her dress is
white.
''Mr. Derwent advances, looking
pleased, and Bernard takes his hat and
gaes off alone to the party.
When Edna arrives she sees him in q
Ugilvie@a handsome S s intellieen ;E 'f:
uAS SAA, tsAA0 AouA0 SpcCAAA AIAeAO.
II had hoped" Laura had said to he1
cousin, ''that Bernard would marry Bell
Ogilvie. I know she likes him, and just
before you came I thought he was just
beginning to pay her some attention
but one never knows how to take Der.
nard."
After this affair of the white and blut
dresses, Bernard is for some days rattle,
cool and distant to his cousin.
Edna does not like it-her conscience
perhaps reproaches her-and one day
standing in the low window, she place,
her hand lightly on his coat-sleeve, an6
says coaxingly:
"What is the matter, Bernard? hay,
I offended you?"
Flo turns his dark eyes upon he1
without o word.
II am sure I never intended it. say
Edna.
He takes the little hand lying ON hi
coat-sleeve.
IF you never intended it, Edna II
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