Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1868-04-22

:: *
We arrived at The Meadows late in the
eyenins. Mrs. Murray introduced me to her
daughter lydia, a lady some fifteen years old
er than myself. Mr. John was married. and
had the rectory. George, The eldest son, was
travelling abroad.
Mrs Murray and my mother had been school
friends, but had been separated for years, and
so were comparative strangers till they met
again in society, and Mrs. Murray asked me
10 spend two or three months with her in the
country, 10 recruit my strength after the ia
tigue Of London season.
The day after our arrival Lydia showed me
over the house and grounds. Harold, Mr..
Johns eldest child, eight years old, came
with us. =, ..3Ci!.
The conservatory door was locked. Miss
Murray left us to fetch the key. Harold re-
mained talking. ,..,..l =, q, 49,,
down" he said, pulling at some ivy that clus'
tered round the turret: He looked at me as
though expecting an answer, then resumed
Spa says if he has it he shan't stay at the
church. He shall pull this down if he don't,
shall" ~
{" But this is your uncles place." said I.
alMyi uncleI He won't live long. My ma
saws uncle George is q bad man, a wicked
.man.g Den,t.you tbink-he is wicked man q
!g;No,,' saidI though Eknew nothing Of him
"Little boys-"I lbegan impressivey but
his aunt returned and the conversation ended
"The place would be very different if poor
George were here" said Lydia. sadly
"Does he never live here p I inquired.
Miss Murray looked at me keen1y. " Live
here Z No; never He stays for q week OF
two sometimes" l.=,5,.
"Perhaps some day he will marry and
settle" -
"Neyer" said Lydia, stopping 10 pick a q
flower. Have you not heard about him 9
tHeard what?'' said. ].
81 shall not be raven, and tell you. You
will learn soon enough" :,
Harold was standing in the doorway look
ing back at us. He had large brown eyes
and something in them made me fancy lac
seen him before, though l knew l had not.
So there was secret in the iamily-some
mystery about the eldest son. Perhaps wa
wrong, but l did wish to find it out.
I.had been ct The Meadows nearly month
before an opportunity occurred. Then pait
a visit to the rectory, taking my work, that
might spend the day there. Mrs. Murray.
fancied, got tired OF having to entertain me
and Lydia liked to have some time to herself
Mrs.S John sand'I were Ifiends, so coul'
speak freely to each other. :
~ Are you engaged ?" said Mrs. Johns. =
"No," said /, fancying she alluded to a
opal and diamond ring always wore.
"Some girls are 50 young. How old ar
20 Eighteen. Not SO very young. r.
"No, not so very young" said Mrs. JONI
meditatively ~ was only seventeen when
was engaged"
"That was very young to marry"
so, was more than that when married
Mamma could not be,r the idea-a secon
son, you know. 1t was not good mate
then, but l always said | would marry fo
love. Now they are pleased enough, for poo
George is really nobody; only he keeps job
out of the place at present. Eventually III
rold must have the estate. 1t is entailcd."
i:.But there is an elder brother said |.
@To my ,husband2 Yes; but since 'ths
affair OF his he will never marry, and Joh
comes next. Sad affair that L always pit
poor George"
Mrs. John said this very comfortably,
the same way one pities tradesman for ha'
ing to reduce the price Of his goods, viii
rejoicing in the opportunity of buying thel
cheaply.
sis he very unhappy"
As said this hated myself for asking
I know if l had been right las some woul
say " commonly honestly should have d
cliued to hear anything Lydia would not te
me. Like good child should have sal
"Thank you. ! must not listen. He wou
not like it," but 'misereP as a French fEien
of mine used to exclaim, I am one OF Eve
, true daughters, and the temptation was irr
/ sistible. 1 yielded to curiosity. -.
t Ss"Well, ,yes;n said Mrs. John;,s for q
world is not charitable. Of course We knO
the truth, and we don't really condemn hir
But he takes it to heart, lperhaps to congo