The Planters' banner. [volume] (Franklin, Attakapas Co., Lou.) 1849-1872, 1851-08-02

SA0u Ao1i Sl6 Wdy. OhC AoA SoSs AhuiAy
a sad, earnest gaze through the shop
window, before she saw Gilbert and
Miss Warner coming through the op-
posite portico. The sight made the
heart struggle with throb of pain in
Lida's bosom, and mist came over her
eyes till they could scarcely discern the
needle with which she seemed occu-
pied. They were coming toward the
shop, and the sound of footsteps in the
entry made the young girl tremble on
her seat.
"Come," said Miss Warner, address
ing the milliner, "put on your bonnet.
We are going up to the house, and shall
want your opinion"
Miss Smith ran for her bonnet, and
for the first time in her life, the young
lady addressed the apprentice.
"Get your sun bonnet" she said,
"you can go with usn
The blood rushed over Lida's face,
and she would have refused; but Miss
Warner whispered word to her lover,
and he pressed Ida to go with such
respectful earnestness,' that she arose,
tied on her little straw bonnet, and was
ready to attend them long before Miss
Smith made her appearance.
The homestead was a large and su-
perior old mansion for country village.
Its material was heavy, and touched
with the brown tinge of age; the trees
around it were majestic, and its shrub
berry luxuriant; its furniture was that
of another century, old-fashioned and
massive but Gilbert had interspersed
it with chairs and tables of lighter and
more recent model; and the gloom
which low ceilings give to an apart
ment was relieved by tall mirrors and
modern windows, which were cut from
ceiling to floor.
Altogether, it was dwelling which
domestic and studious person would
have preferred above all others.
Ida had never seen anything half so
splendid before, but there was heavy
feeling at her heart which mere novelty
could not dispel. She followed her con-
ductors up the broad stairs, heard them
admire the ballusters of dark maho-
gany, and walked through the cham
bers like one in a dream. She was
pale, bewildered, and sick at heart,
almost for the first time in her life.
There was one room on the first floor
which Gilbert had fitted up exclusively
for his bride. It had but one window,
which opened upon the most verdant
nook of the old-fashioned garden; and
this window required no drapery, for an
immense white rose-tree was trained
along the easement, till profusion OF
thick green leaves and snowy blossoms
dropped like curtain over the upper
part, and when the sash was open a
storm of fragrant leaves fell like snow
flakes all over the rich old easy chairs
and moss-like carpet which decorated
the room. On curious little table.
with legs carved and twisted together
like knot of serpents, lay a guitar,
with an azure ribbon just attached, and
yet unused; superb old bookcase,
crowded with newly bound volumes,
stood opposite the bay window, and a
little French workable, perfectly new.
occupied corner close by.
Miss Warner flung herself on a seat,
and taking up the guitar, began to trifle
with the strings, and as she turned with
an unpleasant smile towards Ida
Chow would you like this for your
own :" she said.
"Me 2" said Ida. family. "I have
never dreamed Of living in such place
as this"
"But you can live here if you like"
replied the milliner.
"My mother was we'll off once, and
she would not let me live out for any.
thing,n said the apprentice, who only
imagined that Miss Warner wished to
engage her for "help" when she took
possession of the homestead; "besides
am not strong enough for very hard
workw
"Oh, we don't mean that" replied
the milliner; .Mr. Gilbert wants a
wife, and as this lady here has taken q
fancy that he likes you better than he
does her, she is quite willing that he
make you mistress of the homestead
instead of herselfn
aDon't say so-it is cruel to joke il
this mannerm said the bewildered girl
turning very pale. "1 am sure, quite
sure that Mr.. Gilbert never thought o.
me.n Ida spoke hastily, but in faini
voice, and had q look of troubled doub
in her eyes, as if she almost hoped they
would contradict her.
.But he does think Of you-he tolc
me so last nightm said Miss Warner
.aud ii am willing to give him up
what harm can come of itw
"And could you give him upw said
Ida, clasping her small hands with ar
energy which bespoke her astonish
ment that any one could resign, of hei
own free will, being 80 perfect.
a0h, MIR. Gilbert is not the only
agreeable man on earth," replied the
young lady, removing the azure ribbor
from her neck, and laying down the
guitar; @I am perfectly wiling TO give
| him up ut any moment-so prepare
yourself for the wedding tomorrow, j
yon like !''
As she spoke, Miss Warner and hel
companion glided from the room. Lida
had no power to follow, she was con
E.m~I Esd ~s~n~~4hlncc--a rnief naure