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

HOW edna DECIDED.
4 splendid June day, bright md
breezy. Opposite the great square in
ito carpet Of green, stands . large
brown painted house with bow-windows
and spacious piazzas, half shrouded in
blossoming wisteria.
On one side is a croquet ground, and
on the other glimpse Of . lovely old
fashioned garden, green, cool, and
shadowy, the mere sight Of which is re-
freshing.
It is Sunday, and the people on their
way to church. Most of those who pass
this way arc evidently Of the elite, for
the street is the fashionable one of tho
town.
Al they pass the brown house, each
looks up at tho bow-windows, as if e.
pecting to see there q face that they
know.
But none Is visible, though perhaps
those whom they look for are nearer
than they imagine; for at one end of the
upper piazza, screened by the matted
wisteria, arc two young girls, dressed in
thin slippers and white cool muslin
scaqucs.
One Of the girls is tall, fair, stately,
and atrifle inclined to embonpQint. One
can predict that at 40 she will make q
very handsome and imposing woman.
The other is nearly as tall, but 1.-the
and sylph-like, with clear olive COM
ple1ion, dark roguish eyes, and q face
pretty and piquant.
"How pleasant this isl" she says. II
would not exchange with those people
going to church"
''Nor L." says the other quietly. II
seldom go to church in summer"
"And Aunt Mary and Bernard-do
they go regular?"
"As for Bernard, he seldom goes at
any time-spends the day lying on the
library sofa, reading. Mamma is gen.
orally an invcterate church-goer; but
Just now she is on bad terms with tho
new minister, and VOWS that if he don't
resign she will join the other church.
It is one of her WITNESSES"
GLOW odd" says Edna, laughing.
"Oh, you don't know herl I forgot
that you have not been here since you
were little thing Of six years old.
What pity uncle should have his
family so far away. We have been so
cut off from each other"
HE had to do it, you knon, when he
failed"
Eyes, dear, I know, and I have al
ways felt very sorry for you. We, our
selves, live up to our income, and papa
declares he will have nothing to leave
Bernard and myself; but still we live
In good style, and anything, in my
opinion, is preferable to being a gov
Eyes, indeed!" with sigh. land I
dread the thought of going back to it.
! have no aptitude for teaching. I like
dress and gayety, md should like of all
things, to be rich, and the mistress of
Just such o house as those two hand
some ones opposite. Whose are they ?"
"One-that handsomest of the two,
With the greenhouse and fountain-is
for sale. The other belongs to Mr..
Derwept, one of our first lawyers. And
by-the-bye, Edna, here is chance for
the realization of your wishes for Mr..
Derwent is rich widower, and, it is re-
ported, on the lookout for young wife.
30 don't fail to set your cap at him!"
sho added, in tone half laughing and
half earnest.
ANY children ?" asked Edna, idly.
"One-soon to be married and go
away. He must, of course, have q mis-
tress for his establishment, for he is
fond of entertaining and living in style,
snd-There!" she added suddenly, as
the door of the opposite house opened,
and gentleman descended the steps,
"that is Mr.. Derwent! How do you
like his looks?"
Edna bent little forward for sight
Of the rich lawyer.
He was about forty, and very good
looking, but stiff and precise.
Edna shrugged her graceful shout
ders.
Il could never like q man who walks
- that e1crutiatingly- digniied man.
ner," she said.
"Then I may congratulate myself in
having never been remarkable for Dig
nifty of MEN," said voice in the door.
way behind them.
There stood o handsome young man,
tall, dark, with silky moustache. and
steel-colored eyes under his dark eye
brows.
He sauntered up leisurely, and stood
leaning against the balustrade, with
folded arms, looking down upon the
two girls. Edna Flushed slightly as she
met his gaze.
"Have you been eavesdropping?" she
enquired saucily.
mo indeed! I came upon you quite
unawares, heard o chirping and chatter
Ing as Of many magpies, and thought t."
Don't be impertinent, Bernard" says
bis sister serenely.
Il? Certainly not! And If my cous-
IN Edna entertains tho least idea OF
what you hint at, I am ready to 20 down
upon my knees and ask pardon"
A~VS AOAVS ossAU AI0Ass, VI Viz p1bZ.
"a floor. I heard Aunt Mary complain
ing that it had not been swept for q
century; and your immaculate white
suit would suffer-"
"Thank you for your solicitude on
ny account, but I have soul above
such low interests. Dress is nothing in
my eyes,"
nc is good deal in mine. love
dress, and devote much of my time and
thoughts to it. There, now have told
the TRUTH" abe added, laughing, land
will leave you to mediate upon the folly
Of womankind. while I go and write q
letter home"
And she airily tripped away while his
eyes followed her to the door.
Bernard" said Laura, II want you
to waylay Mr.. Derwent and invite him
to dinner"
Every we'll. Why?"