The Union. [volume] (Georgetown, Del.) 1863-1866, 1863-11-20
GEORGETOWN, DEL FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20 1868


lowing her to appear in public as Mis-
Letitia's personal attendant.
suppose Col. Fosbrook had never seel
the girl before but at the close of til,
first dance, as he was conducting Mis-
Lctitia to her sea-, Le:c:tJy came up on thu
discharge of her duties. How promoted
and happy, yet timid withal, the sweet
girl looked, as she handed the heiress hei
expensive Partisan fan. Never did man
approaching forty look so struck as the
colonel; he said nothing for few minutes
but his eyes were fixed on Lefty she saw
it, blushed deeply, and stole away behind
her mistress, while he inquired of MIR.
Fos brook, who came up at the moment
where on earth did you find that lovely
girl ?"
"Oh, my daughters maid," said Fos-
brook, with his accustomed ease.
"She is not negro ?" said the colonel.
Yes, l assure you. | bought her
mother in Charleston. She is wonderful
ly fair, | must allow, and good girl
Letitia has always liked her, and would
have her here tonight"
The rest of Mr. Fosbrook's communica-
tion was made in a tone too low for my
hearing; but all that brilliant evening,
wherever Lefty came or went through the
handsome suite of reception rooms, anxious
to make herself useful, and on her promo
ton, his eyes followed the girl saw him
gazing after her while Mrs. Fosbrook was
preaching to him about doing good, and
Miss Letitia tossing her head and showing
off her jewels 1t became manifest to me,
also, that both mother and daughter could
see az well as |, and the sight was one to
bring the worst part Of their natures up
permost. Can any woman commit great
er sin against another than to get admired
in her stead The colonel did admire
Lefty, maid and Of negro origin as she
was, and there was many an eye in the
ballroom that followed the slight, grace
full figure, and fair winning face as we'll as
his, though on nobody was the impression
so marked. The man could not help show
ing it, for all his sense and experience,
and | was not prepared for the effect it
had on the young heiress. She grew posi-
lively ugly--awful, as the Americans say
with ill-temper and jealousy. 1 thought
she would strike poor Lefty when the in
nocent creature came to settle her wreath,
thrown back by a naughty toss Miss Le-
titia, frowning fercely said 81 don't want
you here any more !" and Mrs. Fosbrook
desired the nearest servant to tell that girl
she might go down stairs. Poor Lefty
went on the instant, looking as if she had
committed murder. The colonel. who had
witnessed all, seemed astonished, angry.
and little cut of his discretion, for he
rose from Miss Letitia's side with a very
brief apology, walked straight out to the
verandah, and stayed there, pacing about,
for half an hour or lLore. When he came
back, Col. Fosbrook was himself again.
We saw no more of Lefty, had a magnifi-
cent supper, and all went home at day
break. Miss Letitia and her mother SEEM
ed to have recovered their good
The colonel continued his visit, as expect
ed. They were never without company
to dinner or tea was always invited,
Mr.. Fosbrook having taken particular
fancy to me, and thus | had an opportuni-
ty of seeing that attentions were still paid
to the daughter of the hous, but her
play-fellow and foster-sister was not in the
request she had been, Lefty was manifest
ly kept out of sight, and under surveillance;
and when the poor girl did chance to be-
come visible, it was sad to see the resign
ed and helpless sorrow that had settled
on her fair young face. L am not sure
that the colonel had not interested her
also; / observed her .peeping out at his
comings and goings from back windows and
hidden corners, though Lefty had not
much opportunity for that, as Mrs. Fos-
brook now sent her to work with her moth
er, remarking that "Elva was prudent,
sensible creature, and would keep nonsense
out of the girls head"
l don't know how Elva fulfilled the
expected duty, but coming to talk ON par
ticular business with Mr.. Fosbrook one
afternoon-a time when southern ladies
are generally fast within doors-I found
the colonel leaning over the rails of the
back veranda, where Lefty sat at work.
He was evidently talking to the girl she
had let her muslin fall, and was picking it
up all in flush. The colonel saw he was
caught, but was too much of a gentlemen
to show it, bade me good-day without
changing his position, asked if l had seen
the morning papers, if there were any
news, but did not observe that there were
pair of fierce, cold, jealous eyes taking
notes of him from the window above,
where the Venitian blind concealed his ex-
cellent hostess. The colonel walked into
the house with me, and Lefty went on with
her sewing. saw her sitting there when
my business was done, stitching away, but
the flush had faded then, and she looked
sad and thoughtful. M
All the way home | had thoughts about
the colonePs intentions, and Mrs Fosbrook's s
next move; it was no affair of mine but
one could not help feeling an interest in
poor Lefty and the ill-luck closing round
her.
That same week the colonel went off. to
join his regiment; happened to be par
ticularly busy with the affairs of broken
up land company, and had no occasion to
go to the Hall for some time but Mr..
Fosbrook called at my Office one morning,
seemed very friendly, talked of two Or
three trifing matters, and had evidently
something else in his mindAsomething
disagreeable, and hard to begin speaking
about. He looked at his watch looksd