Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1866-12-25
MIsCELLANEO
EDITH N0RW ooD,s Love-
Or What Game of Fannie's Filtration.

II
Good night, Edith
Good night, Mr.! Hopwell;"'. and Edith
sighed low faint sigh as she stood there in
the starlight, beside the little white gate
Good night had, beet spoken, yet she still
fingered.
''Good night, Mr.. Hopaeii; are you SO
moons struck that you cannot say good night
to nc Z! and with a merry laugh, Fannie
Norwood came dancing down the graveled
walk.
"Did forget to say good night to YOU
Fannie? why, what heartless wretch [ am.
to be sure
Edith started; the spell was broken; and
with slow steps she walked to the house AS
she stood upon the little porch she looked for
moment ut the two standing out in the
moonlight; but as the soft muImur of their
voices reached her ear she turned and, with
hasty steps, sought her ROOM where, with
quick movement She drew the bolt, ana draw.
ing chair to the low open window, she sat
down to think
With one hand supporting her head She
sits and gazes out into the night: She does
not see the silver moonbeams glancina on the
white stones OF the road as it winds away
over the hill; she does not look upon the
sweet spring roses waving to and fro in the
evening air; but, with pale still face and sad
dreamy eyes, she sits, needing nothing, see
ing nothing, only thinking, thinking
low still everything is; nought is heard
save the faint rustic of the leaves as they are
shaken by the soft May wind ; but it is not
that which arouses her, it is voice, clear and
ringing, las voice, borne to her on the even
ing breeze, She closes the window; ah
shut the window and draw Gown the blinds,
but it will avail you nothing, Edith Norwood,
for you cannot shut that voice from your
heart Her hands are folded idly across her
lap, tear, solitary tear trcmbles on her
dark lashcs for an instant, then falls upon
her hand.
"And so he does not love me after all I
might have known it; how foolish 1 have
been, and yet-what! another tear, Edith
Norwood ?-am such fool! What would
the world say if it should be known that ],
after looking coldly on SO many suitors on ar
irving at the handsome age Of twenty-three
should hestow my heart, and that unnsked,
upon mere youth? Foolish, foolish !''-
And she put up her hand to wipe away the
tears that were now gathering like mist
over her vision.
, Yes, reader, you you will no doubt agree With
her in saying that she had done very fool
ish thing to fall in love with a young man
three years her Junior. But you ask. .'Nho
was Edith Norwood and did MIR. Hopwell
love some one else2 and was Fannie her cou-
sin? and" Softly, softly, Kind reader,
and will tell you. lf
Edith and Fannie Norwood were sisters.
the. daughters of good, well-toSdo farmer
in the State of Ohio. Their home was plea
sanity situated near the banks of ''the beau
titul river, among sloping Wooded hills aud
green, sunny valleys. with now and then
pretty glimpses of the shining water gliding
away in the distance.
Truly Maplewood was lovely spot, with
its twoswhite farm-houses half screened from
view by wreaths of clustering vines sweet
scented roses, climbing honeysuckles, bright
hued Towering shrubs, its groups of ever
greens and shady forest trees Then there
were long gravelled walks winding round
among the trees, and leading down to the
rustic cute that led out to the village road
and the great shady maple grove at the tbb
of the hill behind the house Yes; EIaple.
wood was beautiful place, so thoGght far
mer Norwood; so thought his good wife and
her two sons; and SO thought Edith aud Fam
ME.
But you are impatient to learn more of my
lheroincs. Must ] tell You Just how they
looked, dressed and acted? Why, 1 dare
say among your acquaintances you would find
many very much like them. Edith was no
'ASA .fAoaAOuts4 l4G4 THU
and almost colorless her mouth large and
her teeth irregular; but her lips were full
.and red as cherries; she was we'll formed, tall
and slender, yet not rounded enough to be a
model of beauty, yet shc had a pretty foot
and hand. Her eyes and sbair Oh yes,
Edith had beautiful hair, soft and silky
brown hair and hazle eyes All, Edith, in
those eyes lay all thy beauty, for they are the
mirror of thy soul. How shall i tell YOU
what she was like2 She was light and gay;
she'was cold and stately; she was pensive and
gentle; she was the sister of the family, and
one of natures poets-a dreamer.
All this was Farmer Norwood's daughter
Edith But Fannie, pretty, rognish, careless
Fannie, the peto her two brothers and the
spoiled child of her father aud mother. Fan
ME, with hera golden curls and foo round rosy
cheeks; her little rosebud lips and pearlJ
teeth; her: great laughing black eyes au6
clear, ringing voiccGo She was the beauty
and she knewrit, too. She was some sever
years younger than Edith and, though nat
urally of sweet disposition, she Was some
what capricious and self>willed.
] But you ask what of the gentleman? Well
he was all that was good and rohls md ~