The Orangeburg news. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1867-1875, 1868-02-15

4.
voice at the door answered the question that
was upon his lips.
a. Il am Miss Blair" it said id-"Dclia Blair;
and my mother has sent"
The speaker, beautiful girl of perhaps
twenty, had by this time entered the room,
and paused, abashcd and fit hing with the
rosicst color even up to her pure brow.
81 thought I was to see Mr.. Van SAINT, the
husband Of the sick lady" she said.
"I am her son." Mortimer hastencd to re-
ply. pray be seated, Miss Blair. Allow me
to present my friend, Mr.. Franks Perhaps
you arc not aware that my mother has been a
widow for some years"
81 knew nothing-my mother knew nothing
but that u laily lay very i'll here, at the village
hotel. The mistake was my own; the cham
bermaid called the lady Mrs. Van SAINT and
told me that should find Mr.. Van SAINT here.
1t makes no difference, l came only to say
that my mother and mysolf.-nny of our family
would be glad to be of any service to tho sick
lady. If thorc is anything We can do, pray
let us know, Mr. Van Sant-wc should Consider
it privilege. I will 50 now" she added,
tinlidly. "Pcrhnps, if wore to call in mn
hour, could sec your sister, and learn from
her what could do" s.e
"1our kindness, and that Of your family is
very great I hardly know how to thank you
enough Miss Blair Pray wait if you can,
until my sister comes down. will call her
she will know what to say better than L." y
II had better come again, think. Do not
disturb your sistcr-1 have some crrands to do
in the village"
And before reply could be made she had
glidcd out, with a little bow and smile, of
half farewell to the gentlemen.
Mortimer stood staring blankly at the spot
she had left, and never uttered Il word
%Shc's beauty, isn't shc?" quoth Charley
Franks. ,"And how nicely she's dressed. l
say Mortimer, do you think shc's.a farmers
daughter ?"'i.a;,,s
I'm look could have nnnihilatcd Charlie
Franks, he would not hayo lived to utter an
oti,cr7rudc speech. +3Ss
''You had better 70 ont, if YOU wish TO-"
said Mortimer, coolly, taking no notice of his
remarks or questions, except by the whitening
contempt of his manner. II shall stay at home
% sec Miss Blair when she returns. That re
! spcct is due her, at least, from me-"
Again Charlie Franks whstcd, but he
marched out, thinking it as we'll to obey or
ders since, us he termed it, Mortimer was con
the high horse AS soon as he was gone,
Mortimer proceeded to his mothers room, en-
tered softly and aroused his sister, without
disturbing the sick lady When Miss Blair
returned, both were i'll the parlor, ready to re-
ccivc her. She came in blushing and smiling,
yet with genuine pity and sympathy in her
sweet young face, 50 fresh and untouched by
sorrow. Only moment was needed for the
three to draw together, and they had pleas
ant, friendly chat in the cool, shady room, in
which Della Blair removed her offers Of holp
and kindness, which were received and accept
cd as frankly rs given.
Deacon Blair owned the beautiful farm, with
its fine buildings and gardens, at the bend of
the river below the village which the brother
and sister had so admired in their walks: and
Della, though farmers daughter, was as
highly educated and as true lady rs as the
Want SAINT belle and hcircss No Bowsalinda
was she, but firm health sparklcd in the bright
ness Of yer eye, and glowcd in the roses Of her
checks, and betrayed itself in every movement
Of her we'll poised figure. Without the deli
cate fairness of that hot house production. a
city belle, she possessed beauty as far out
ranking hers us Nature must always outrank-
the result Of u sckly but morbid Art
Louise was charmed with her, and as for
Mortimer, no words could express his feelings :;
but he thought, as he returned from handin.
her into the open carriage that stood at the
door, that he was more than willing to spend
his life i'll Milford, for the chance Of sometimes
fcasting his eyes on the beauty of Della Blair
and listening to the music Of her voice And
an hour before he had thought himself Jh,xc
and pined for new sensation
And day by day the acquaintance grew
Day by day came Della and her gentle mother
and delicacies from the farm, and thousand
comforts from that wclstorcd household
which the little country hotel, where Mrs
Van SAINT had fallen i'll when on journey.
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