Marshall County independent. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1894-1895, 1895-06-21
Janet cOlOred high.

y
"No, l did not" said Janet; Il only
asked time to consider his proposal"
"Oh. well. it amounted to the same
thing said Mrs. Carisbrooke, glibly.
AT least, he understood it so. And
Miss Goldthred was very much in love
with him, and it's a very desirable
match all round. BY the way, my dear,
Mrs. Prickett has just lost her compan-
ion-and l was thinking what very
delightful situation it would be for
YOU
Janet AmOry bit her lip.
Il do not regard it in that light"
said she. ITO be drudge to the whims
and capriceS of deaf, ill-tempered old
woman, at ten dollars n month"
Mrs. Carisbrooke rose up with toss
of the rosebuds and blonde
Really. my DEAR" said she, cit is
your business to conquer this false
pride of yours. Good-by. Pray COM
mand me. If I can be of any service"
Stuck up little MINK" said she to
herself. "As If Charlie were going to
MARY a beggar out Of the streets. For
that is exactly what she is, in spite Of
all her airs and graces."
Poor Janet. left alone in the gloomy
silence OF the great drawingroom,
burst into a passion Of tears.
I'll go to Mr.. Moneybags. the bank
director" thought she. "He always
used to say he loved me like n child Of
Il Ix-ic
what TO do"
Janet put on her sad little Grape hat
with its thick veil and its buckle Of jet,
and babe Michael, the coachman, drive
her to the bank. Mr.. Moneybags re-
ceived her with a cold nod, as he
glanced at his watch.
VERY sorry" said he, ''but I've only
five minutes to spare. a most unfortu-
nate thing. Colonel Ethan's dying with
out n will. But Colonel Ethan never
was business man."
IL was thinking began poor ia
net. with a failing heart.
Il dare say dare say" said Mr..
Moneybags. hurriedly. Sorry I've no
time just at present. Accept my best
wishes. Wheeler, show in the gentle
man from Nevada"
Once more Janet found herself re-
buffed. Alas. what wide gulf lay
stretched between the rich heiress Of
yesterday and the penniless girl Of to-
day.
She was walking quietly home-cry-
ing softly behind her thick crepe veil,
when James Aldrich came up to her
side-honest James Aldrich, whom she
had liked and laughed at, and who
had surprised her so much, six months
before by telling her that he loved her.
AS if she cared for James Aldrich, who
couldn't waltz like Charlie CarisbrOOke,
nor sing baritone solos like Paul Ro-
mayne, nor quote poetry like Claud Ne
vers And yet-there was something
lovable about James Aldrich. after all.
Janet" said he, you are in trouble.
Can l help yOu?"
Mo- she cried out. passionately.
"NO one can help me. No one cares for
me any more now"
81 do" said James Aldrich, quietly
drawing her arm within his. Little
Janet, stop crying. Trust your future
to me. I've just got an appointment TO
a good place in the custom house-and
when the letter came, Janet, 1 thought
of you. Oh. my darling. my darling.
have loved you so dearly all these
years! Only promise to be mine, and
l solemnly swear to you that you shall
be sheltered from all life's storms. SO
far as my faith and love can shelter
you"
She looked up at him through her
tears. How good and noble he was!
How true and constant. Why had she
never known him before, as he really
was? And then she put her cold little
hand In his.
James" said she. 81 am not half
good enough for you, but"
LET me be the judge Of that" said
he. with an infinitely contented air.
They walked home together, discus
sing the relative merits of flats" and
| country cottages, Irish and German
help, and cheap styles Of furniture. For
they had decided that it was best to be
married at once, and go housekeeping
in small way.
! On the drawing-rOom threshold. Mr..
Tapley, the lawyer, met them with an
excited face.
Miss Amory," said he, scarcely paus-
ing to greet young Aldrich. "allow me
to congratulate you"
Thanks" Janet answered, rather
coldly, as she wondered how Mr. Tapley
had already become cogniZant Of her
engagement.
The most unexpected thing in the
world!' cried the lawyer.
"Yes, said Janet; IL think myself that
1T was rather so.'
How did you hear Of it," said Mr..
Tapely.
"Just what was going to ask yOu,'
replied Janet, with faint smile. I'VE
have only been engaged half an hour"
"Oh!' said Mr.. Tapely. HIN! ha;
you allude to-ahem!-a matrimonial
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