Urbana union. [volume] (Urbana, Ohio) 1862-1872, 1862-06-25
Cur stprr-JsIIn.
HOW THE RIDDLE WAS SOLVED.
BY HELEN FOREST GRAVES.

It was a palace Of place, yet a dreary
shadow lay ever athwart its magnifcencc-
something underlined, yet none the less per-
ceptible of loneliness and silence. The flow
ers that blossomed around the marble foun-
tain--the sunshine creeping along the ara
besque Of the mosaic pavements IN tie hall
the old dark pictures leaning from the gilded
walls--the pretty carpets, whose deep Grim
son pile of Turkish wool deadened the heavi-
est footfaH all seemed to lie under q spell Of
solitude. Yet no magician's wand bad ever
waved above its stately 7recinctss and the key
to the mystery was the simple fact that the
fair young wife, whose glances, FIVE years
ago, had lighted up tie hearth, was resting
low under the orange grove Of sunny Italy.
Five years Clifford Avenel had remained
faithful to the memory Of his dead wife, and
now, after protracted sojourn in the land
where her early grave had been made, he had
returned to the long desolate home of his boy
hood. From the moment he re entered sOci-
ETY., marriageabls damsels and interesting
young widows were not wanting, whose sym
pathies for the still youthful and wealthy man,
would cheerfully have taken the form of mat
rimoney, but to their great disappointment he
still remained minated.
As he came through the vestibule leading
to the garden. with a sprig of myrtle, in his
hand, his musings were interrupted by gay
voice and elastic fOotstep, and Harry Leigh
stood before him.
" Well, Clifford, Won seem to be in brown
study again. Twice I've spoken without be-
ing honored with the least attention. I'll
wager my best horse that you were thinking
of those two beautiful Neville girls, that fas-
cinated you so last night. Come, confess now; /;
isn't 1t so"
Clifford smiled. "I believe you are right
Harry" said he. They are certainly very
lovely; and the more I seem, the more inter-
esting they appear.
Glad you think So" said Harry, pulling
on-a straw colored kid glove as he spoke 'for
I told them would bring you around to their
house this evening. By the way, Clifford,
which is u"
(which is what, you incomprehensible TEL
IowT
Why, the one who is to be Mrs. Avenel'1
That's question easier asked than an
swered, said Clifford, laughing. yet peplex-
ed by the abrupt query. "Suppose am not
entirely clear on the subject myself as yet"
"Then you ought to be"
Sometimes the lovely brunette enchains
me-what a splendid creature she, is Harry,
such soft, gentle manners. OF all things,
sweet tempered, submissive woman is the most
charming"
That's Miss Isabel," said Harry demurs-
ly.
And her blue-eyed sister, whose hair al
ways makes me think of sunshine, and whose
voice is 80 exquisitely sweet"
That's little Alice. Great pity can't mar
n EN- both isn't it? VIII you call with me
this EVENING" You know you have never
met them ezceptin the glare Of bathrooms and
evening assemblies"
With pleasure. I shall drive into town
at about seven O'Clock, and will call for you"
It isn't particularly pleasant to be undeci-
ded about the color Of cravat, or the shape
Ofo cigar case, much less about 50 important
a thing as wife-and so Clifford Avenel
found it out. The unanswered question fol-
lowed him every where through al the bright
long hours Of the August afternoon, like a
restless ghost.
Circumstances is an Gdipus that solves
deeper riddles than this. "Tn leave it to the
care Of tate" he exclaimed at length. "John,
bring up the horses immediately-let me see
whether 1 can't reach town in advance of
yonder threatening mass OF thunder clouds.
But either Mr. AveneTs calculations as to
time proved incorrect, or his feet horses were
slower than their wont, for he was scarcely
within the city limits, when the gloomy twi-
light and the deluging rain descended togeth-