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

II like her wen enough, and. per.
haps, might have liked her better in
time. But since you came, Edna--.
At that critical moment, Laura inno-
Gently entered the room.
It was charming picnic, % every.
body said. Laura had plenty Of part.
ners, but as for Edna, the beaux gener-
ally, though reluctantly, seemed in.
clincd to respect the pretentions Of Mr..
Derwent.
Bernard, from remote corners.
watched that gentleman's attentions to
his cousin, and pulled his moustache
with inward wrath and resentment.
he began, too, to look with doubt up-
on Edna, for had she not that evening
encouraged him in the sweetest manner.
and was she not now. to all appearances,
equally encouraging his rival?
A sudden thought sent tho blood to
his brow. Gould it be that this charm,
ing cousin Of his was coquette, and
was making . fool of him?
| At this moment the couples began to
take their places for quadrille, and
Bernard sees Mr.. Derwent, in his usual
stately and deliberate manner. making
his way to Edna across the crowded
floor. 49,.
Slipping past tho row of wall flowers.
he reached his cousins side in advance
Of his rival.
care you engaged for this set?" he
whispered
Eyes, toto MI: Derwent." glanoing
| Ut her card.
He takes the card from her hastily,
and thrust it into his pocket, Just as q
tall head and shoulders loom up near
them.
dance this set with mo, Edna I ask
II as tavor-as something moro than o
favor" he said earnestly.
She knows what he means. He is
pressing her hand. This is the deci-
s.ve turning point, which she feels that
she cannot evade.
"Our dance, I believe, Miss Edna"
says Mr., Derwent, Offering his arm.
Edna hesitates, and casts glance Ut
Bernard, wistful and appealing.
He speaks instantly, and there is q
subdued triumph in his look and man.
ner:
"Beg pardon, Mr.. Derwent, but I
think you are mistaken. This is my
dance?"
Edna slightly turns to Mr.. Derwent.
Her breath comes quickly, and her fin
gers tremble little as she endeavors to
fasten that troublesome bracelet.
"Let Miss Edna decide which of us is
right" says MIR. Derwent with dignified
politeness.
He is little flushed.
Bernard, on the contrary, is slightly
pale, and his eyes are intently fixed up
| on his cousin.
She avoid Is his glance, and turning,
takes Mr.. Derwent.s arm, murmurins.
something about hav wing lost her card.
Mr.. Derwent walks Off with her upon
his arm, with little pleased smile of
triumph lurking about the corners of
his mouth, and Edna sees no more of
Bernard that evening.
Next morning the girls come down to
an II o'clock breakfast, and Aunt Mary,
as she poured out their coffee, scolded
them for staying so late on the moon
light porch after their return from the
picnic.
Laura only smiled placidly, and Edna
toyed with her apron and blushed.
VI have something to tell you,
Aunt Mary"
Aunt Mary, glancing at her, nearly
sprang from her chair.
"Bless my soul, child! you don't
mean that Mr.. Derwent proposed to
You last night?"
Edna smiled as she nodded assent,
and Aunt Mary at once turned up the
girls face and kissed her.
I'm perfectly delighted. Why, it's
the very best match in town, and
| almost in the whole country. Your
father and mother will be so pleased"
II knew he would propose Last night
Edna" Laura says quietly; "and I'm
80 glad dearw
And then, after some moments ex-
cited talk on Aunt Mary's part, the lat
ter says suddenly:
"And I have apiece Of news, also,
though not 50 important as yours, Ed
''Where is Bernardo" said Laura,
land why did he leave tho picnic so sud-
denly. And the news-what do you
think Of his having purchased that
Morford House opposite-the one next
to Mr.. Derwent's ?" said Aunt Mary nod
ding to Edna.
"Why, mother?" said Laura in sur
prise. HE heard-let me see, it was
the day before yesterday-that Judge
Taylor wanted the house, and he Just
rushed up to the agents Office and Sc
cured it on the spot" said Aunt Mary
triumphantly.
know-l mean, how could he afford it ?"
afford it? Why, child, he's rich
enough?."
"Rich?" questioned Edna wondering
"You don't mean to say, Edna, that
you didn't know that Bernard's grand
father died years ago and left him the
whole of his handsome fortune? Why,
l should think, Of course, Laura would
have told you"
II thought she knew" said Laura.
''How strange that we never spoke of
it in her presence: But mother doesn't
this look as though Bernard were think
ing of getting married?"
Indeed it does. Why, I declare it's
perfectly delightful to think Of Mr..
Derwent and Edna owning ono of thos
beautiful houses just opposite US, and
Bernard and Bella the other. For of
course-But what's the matter, Edna,
child? All, these picnics, and late
hours, and counting are too much for
you. Go upstairs, dear, and lie down"
She obeys white and trembling: and
no one gdesses tho Wild regret, the
bitter pain and remorse, and the vain
longing that lie deep down in her heart
as she murmurs:
Had I known it yesterday
Didn't Hurt Him. bllf Ne