The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1858-07-31


The books and shells on the table that lie;
So he thinks to deceive ME and keep the fair toy,
But, the dear little rogue, read all in bis eye
N. D. c. M. :,
ELEANOR HERBERT.
The brilliant, yet melancholy glory of an
Autumn sunset was weaving itself among
the trees of grand old forest, Frightening
the gorgeous hues Of their foliage, and
bronzing their trunks with dusky gold.-
Though the last day Of October, the breeze
which was astir was mellow, almost balmy,
vet there were low, mournfui caAencss in
;ts voice. as it shook the sere leaves from
the trees, and sent them rustling along the
path which lay along the margn OF the
woods.
A Young girl, who had for som.ten or fif-
teen minutes been lettering abns q lane
which led to the forest, stopping now and
then to gather some wild tiowefs Still un-
blighted by the frost, turned ASIDE ere she
had reached its termination and :scended
little sharp hill, crowned with ingle oak.
From the summit of the eminenc she could
look down on a large old mansion house, OF
grey stone, about quarter of amile dis
tant. The central part of the structure,
which was three stories high, WIS fanked
on either side by wings, of such altitude as
to be of the main building. The house
itself, as we'll as all around, had home.
like air, look of comfort, whichmore than
made up for any lack of modern embellish-
ment.
The countenance of the young girl who
stood on the little hill wore lo,k Of deep
sadness for, as she supposed, she was for
the last time looking on roof which had
sheltered her since early childhood. She
was not handsome, this her mirrr told her
every morning, as she arranged the rich,
heavy braids of her dark hair. She might
have been aware that in her caseit was no
hatterer, had she at times been permitted to
see the beautiful, almost glorioustransfor-
nation wrought on her features, md indeed
throughout her whole person, by he power
of intellect.
As she stood there on the brow # the hill,
leaning against the broad-spread oak, the
sunshine shimmering through tie boughs
gave the rich braids of her hair, arranged
with simple grace, such lustros bright
ness, that little distance gohen halo
seemed to be circling above her White, still
brow. At least, this WITS the fanciful
thought which presented itself tothe mind
of young man who, without knowing that
she was there, had assembled the hill on the
other side. Though he took some pains to
make his footsteps heard as he ,dvanced
towards her, she was so wrapped in her
own thoughts that he failed in his purpose.
She, therefore, when he spoke gaze sud-
den, nervous start.
'This fine estate should be yous, Miss
HERBERT said he, as if in answer towhat he
imagined was passing in her mind.
'Why so, Mr.. Stafford:' she inquired, al
m most instantly recovering her self possession.
because your late uncle intended it
should be yours. At least, so it is generally
thought
sHe did intend it, at one time, no doubt
For nv part, believe there's Will in
YOUR favor, somewhere in existence; that is,
if there has been no foul play
81 don't believe that my uncle ever made
will in nv favor. If he did, it was at a
very early period, and am certain, that he
must have subsequently, cancelled it,
sArtcmus Carklcy, the son Of your uncle's
half brother, is the heir-at-law, believe
'IIe is
sAman, rs everybody knows he heartily
disliked.
Il don't think he bore him any good will
though whv, never exactly understood.'
| It was because your Uncle Herbert was
an honest, upright man, and Carkley isun.
worthy good mans regard
H wished that Hollis had lived said Flea.
nor Herbert, sand then this Carkley would
! 1 Il, ,y,$ pnoN hn W.
heard that my uncle had an adopted son.
who died early.'
81 have.'
sAnd YOU may have also heard that they
parted, for the last time, in anger and that
Uncle Herbert told him that he should dis
inherit him.
sYes.'
sThe threat, which of course was made
under the influence Of an angry excltcment.
was never carried into effect. When news
came that the ship in which Hollis sailed
was lost, and that all on board had persisted
my uncle used sometimes, after long lit OF
abstraction, to speak out suddenly and say,
with a good deal of emphasis, that Hollis
was alive, and would some day return.-
This impression at times was very strong.
and was as | believe, the true reason why he
didn't revoke the will made at an early period
in favor of his adopted son.
You are certain that it remained unre-
voked at the time of your uncle's decease !?
said Stafford, speaking quickly, and looking
at her very earnestly.
q am certain. Almost the last thing my
uncle ever said to me was to entrust it tc
my care, which he did with an earnest so.
lemnity which | shall never forget. |, ir
my turn, have confided it to the care Of Mr.
Goodwin, who can be trusted if any one
cam
Had Eleanor's mind been less absorbed by
the subject on which she was speaking, she
would have scarce failed to notice quick
though transient Frightening of Stafford.
countenance.
'Dd you ever see him? The adopted son
! m aan,' said he.
81 never did. He had been gone severa
weeks when | came to live with my uncle.-
lie was a boy of much promise, I've beer
told.'
"a little obstinate and elf-willed perhaps.
'My uncle didn't consider him so.'
Il am glad to hear it,
'See,' said Eleanor, a minute aftrward
ttt Sbi iSSouS huGs Va suucSc "Ao A"os
and will be gone by the time l can reach
home.'
'Your home for one night more.'
YES
Eleanor quickly tied her hat, which the
mild and pleasant air had caused her to cas-
aside, and commenced to descend the hill.
Miss IIerbert-E -Eleanor-stay one mo.
ment,' said Stafford.
She obeyed, not wholly devoid of "a con.
sciousness why the request was made.
sit Is Just six months to-day said he
'since commenced teaching shool in this
place. The term of my engagement has
! closed.'
To be renewed, as understand, after ;
short vacation.'
Il did think Of renewing it, but have al
tered my mind.'
Then you will leave this places
| 'No, shall remain, at least for shor
time. Whether take up my residence her,
permanently, or not, depends on you.' z~
'On me?'
'Yes, though half an hour ago shouldu'
have felt myself authorized to say this t.
you.'
Eleanor strove to recall to mind whether
during the present interview, there had beer
anything in her words or appearance whicl
might be construed into manifestation o.
~ ,x-l,:ob sh, falt