The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1867-01-25

cdhle DacK lne cOnSOlatOrV rejection
that she would never have owned it
pride and shame would have sent her
silent to the grave; and my heart ach-
ed involuntarily as | conceived that
burning grief devouring her in secret.
At all events, I would 90. The very
same day l received Isabcl's letter saw
my arrangements complete; and the
evening post carried her letter stating
at what hour they might send to meet
me ut their railway station. Then put
on my bonnet, and made the best of my
way to the city, to tell her family of my
visit and receive their commissions.
1t was a sultry evening in the begin
ming of July, and the heat, dust, and
turmoil of the metropolis struck mo OPP
prcssively. The cross of st. Paul's fam
ed in the blazing sun; the gay display
of Summer fashions in the adjacent
windows looked tawdry and eciipsed in
the unmitigated light /; and one put by,
half in pity, half in disgust, the droop-
ing, scentles roses thrust upon the at
tention by the importunatc flower girls.
I found my brothers warehouse in full
activity; he himself was paying COM
mercial court to some important GUS
toner in one of the long narrow alleys
formed by bales of goods. which 'front.'
ed the public door which had entered
He saw me at once, and directed me to
await his leisure in his private count
ing-housc with an air of undisgused
astonishment at my appearance. When
he joined me old him briefly why I
had come, for it was long since Robert
and | had been on affectionate terms.
He appeared highly amused at the idea
of nv going to Morton Lcas.
"Why, what can Isabel want with
YOU, Sarah--a quiet, dull old soul like
you? Nootlencc, | hope; but you must
wonder yourself; besides, YOU will be
like fish out of water in their grand
house and with their fine ways. You
have no notion of the style they live
in 2"
said quietly: eff I had not, it was
from no want of information on the
subject, and that I had every confidence
that ! would not commit myself in his
daughters house," and then l went up
stairs to see her sisters.
1t was the same story over again-un-
bounded surprise and witless conicc-
ture. l had to listen for the hundredth
time to a recital of chow things were
done at Morton Leas," and they SEEM
ed to share their fathers apprehension
, that l should find this splcndor quite toe
: much for me. AS they had no instruc.
tions to give beyond an entreaty tc
write and tell them how it all struck
me at first sight, and how got on with
Mr.. Lorimcr," | was soon back again on
my HON eward way.
, How it all struck me at first sight
+, / well remember! \ heavy storm in
the morning bad cooled the air and laid
I the dust, and after the restraint of my
journey, l enjoyed kcenly the unaccus.
toned luxury OF reclining at my ease
in luxurious carriage as it rolled rap.
idly over the well kept roads through
=, the noble fir plantations | had heard
were Mr.. Lorimer's especial pride. How
eXquiSitely the slender spires of the
trees stood out against the roseate amber
of the sky; how gratefully the eye rest
ed on their stately layers Of green shade
, Now a squirrel dartCd into momcntary
= ! view, which was II charming vision tC
: my citizen sight, aS were also the mer
curial rabbits that at every point ap
; pcarcd and vanished with incredible
= SWiftncss.
> > You can see the house now, ma'am
= through the trees" said the coachman
civilly turning round to indicate it
| could, and n grand old place it seemed
to mc-grander even than my tutorcC
expectations. | don't know in what
style or of what date it was; its ampl,
front looked to me like the facade of t
Greek temple, only the Portland stOn'
), was reddcncd with age, and was almOs
y covered with Il dense but cut-clost
u growth of ivy, intcrminglcG with tht
:, graceful festoons Of the Virginia creep
cr. ON the broad terrace ON which thu
front opened, | recognized the figure
> of my host and hostess, which so occu
" pied and excited my mind that receiv
. ed but Il very general impression of an.
:, other external object.
/ was Just conscious of green lawn
= stretching its velvet plain beyond IN.
-, range of sight-of an antique tlOWc
= garden glowing with vivid dyes, ant
, breathing perfume cXquisitcIy sWce
=. and dcicatc-of the park beyond In
=, distant fence, and the deer pecping ten
:, derby between the slender rails.
:, could NOT help the reelection tina
= Mr.. Lorimcr's mercantile connection
~ must indeed be on n colossal and re
!, muncrativc scale, to have pcrmitte'
him in carly life to make himself til
=, possessor Of so fine an estate.
r was 50 eager to get my first glimps
VI of Isabel that wss on the point Of over
,r looking the courtesy of my host, VIII
| came down the steps to hand me iron
,c the carriage. lie spoke to me so kind
IL ~ that | wondered at my former I'M
H. preston of his coldness and stiffness.
rd ~ am 50 truly pleased to see 80
Us here at last" he said; "and so, 20
or may be sure, is Isabel" silly old We
Mt man ms | was looking out for some ind
Of cation how matters stood between then
rs and ! iancied | could detect chang
Of from the cordiality of his tone from til
Is moment he mentioned his WiIc's name