The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1860-07-11

1t was quiet, solitary place, just after
my own heart. A long distance from
the high road, and with nothing out green
fields and hedges on every side. So still
was it that | might have been in an un
Inhabited wilderness-eveu the birds
seemed TO tune their matin songs in uni
son with the spirit Of the place.
| looked up a the house. The blinds
were drawn down in f1ont-tne second
story was surrounded by gallery, whose
slender columns were painted to initiate
Porphyrv, and whose lalticed sides were
overrun with jasmine, just bursting into
clusters of star like, periumed flowers. 1t
looked like pleasant promenade for wet
weather, and | saw that my friends viii
dows opened out upon ii. On either side
OF the house were groups Of lime trees.
10 front, the green, smooth lawn, shaded
by some fine beeches-at the back for
est Of peach, apple, plum and pear trees,
whose branches were heavy with fruit
The glimmering OF water on the right at
tracied me, and s,rolled down to the
borders Of the httle lake. Two snow.
white swans were sailing to and fro 10 the
smooth water-they came up coutidingly
to where stood, and searching nv pock.
cts for some buiscui,s, I fed the pretty
creatures out Of my hands. A boat with
a single pair OF OARS Vas drawn up under
willow tree; Ioosed its chain, and pad
ding out like young CsIidors" into the
centre Of the lake, listened to the melau
choly cry Of the swans, and the singing
Of the birds, ill tears Of pleasure stood
in my eyes.
Il must have been dreaming said to
myself, as spraug upon the shore once
more. Al d replaced the little boat. Mrs.
Byfe'd could not have spoken of shad.
ow here. Or il she did, it WAS certainly
in jest
A bell rang loudly in the ball, and
buried up across the lawn to breakfast.
Coffee and toast Of exquisite flavor await.
ed me, and the most delicious ham had
ever tasted, to say nothing of po,ted
meats, cold and hot rolls. and new laid
eggs. read the "Morning Star" while
| ate my toast, and thought myself
very lucky individual to have fallen upon
such comfortable quarter. When the
meal was finished, the housekeeper made
her appearance, with smiling face aud
great bunch Of kew in her hand.
M y mistresss compliments-and per
hsps you would like to 90 over the house
with me. while she is DRESSING
Il should be delighted
And we set ont together, peering into
cosy little bedrooms, snug parors, .he
great state drawing rooms, the picture
gallery, the conservatory, the library and
the music room, ill | am afraid trans
yresseJ one Of the commandments, aud
actual, coveted my neghbors goods
told Mrs. Moore so. IA sat playing
the splendid pan"forle in the last named
a, artnent. She laughed.
1T is a pretty pace, not grand you
know, but very snug and comfortable
one might be very happy here, and We, |
sometimes fancy my mistress is not. But
then her hesI,h is not good, that may ac-
cunt for it.
The mysterious illness Of Mrs. Byfeld
ather puzzled ne. had never heard
Of 1t before, and WAS going to ask more
questions, when tn. sound Of a distant
bell made my companion start.
NY lady has jus, ruug, she is now 10
her morning room, she said.
Very well. Then Will GO to her.
As had conjectured, Mrs. Byield's
morning room WAS that whose windows
] bad already noticed upon the gallery.
They were not open, however. though
the blinds were up. and could see the
jesamine waving about in The fresh air
outside. Ba!my rs the day VAS, fire
beamed in The lrue aud drawn up be.
side it, IN an easy chair, sat my hostess.
She WAS reading some book Of devotion
when entered, but laid il aside, and rose
to meet me, with old fashioned courtesy.
Good morning. my dear; trust you
slept well, she said kindly.
'Charmingly, dear Madam. | am sor
ry to hear from Mrs. Moore that your
health is not good. No one has told me
OF that before
did not cay there wss a shadow at
the Grangei' she SAID, smiling. But
never mind poor old invalid like me-
Have you enjoyed yourself this morningF
Very much. have already walked
over the grounds, fed the swans, sailed
upon the lake, taken breakfast, and seen
ITO house and chapel
Spe held up her hands in ss,onisbmeni.
Heavens, what energetic, restless crea.
lures you Americans are ! Ny dear what
you have already named would have
been q weeks work for me. am sure
| oil h.t