The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1868-06-30
hoped to solve the mystery of her ma

came wives of men who were unable to-
read the riddle of their beings before
marriage!
It was q gay party at Eagle Cliff. Pa
tience Wilson hardly felt at home among
the young people of st. Johns, and
would have been i'll at ease but for John
Duane and Susie, the invalid sister. Ka-
tie Hunter was there with an infinitude
of clustering ringlets under her jaunt
little hat, the gold and garnets at her
throat, and q crimson sash over her
snow white dress. .-aa
Miss Hunter is great belle, Susie
Duane remarked, watching the gentle
men around her. Brother John says
she practices the art of dress in its per
fection. John is such a critic of ladies'
dress aasa42 s
The thin hands of the invalid were
toying with Patience Wilson's hair.
What lovely hair! she exclaimed, lifting
the front locks from Patience's face and
coaxing them into curls over her finger
How it changes you she added, with a
child s delight / know what John
meant when he said your possible beau
ty was greater than Katie Hunters posi-
tive beauty. Now let me put some of
these scarlet berries N your braids. Isn't
it lovely and here, throwing her Grim
son shawl over Patience's shoulder, Ka-
tie Hunter is nowhere. No, don't take
it off Sit down at my feet while John
and Miss Hunter sing.
They sang those quaint words of Shell
ley, set to an old air
.sNothing in the world is single,
All things by law divine
In another's being mingle
VIII, not with tllins p
Patience Wilson listened like one en-
tranced. You love music ? Susie Du-
ane said, watching her rapt face
l know nothing of it, Patience an
swered. But it always stirs me deeply.
She hu,0med the air the others had just
dropped 3
Bravo! exclaimed Susie Duane You
must have good ear.
She has a quick appreciation and a
fine ear, added John Duane, joining
them. 1t is a great pity Miss Patience
couldn't have some musical education.
should like to teach you music, he said
earnestly, turning to her.
It would be hard labor, said Patience,
in reply.
A labor of love, whispered John Du-
ane. drawing her arm in his and leading
her away from the crowd.
Aunt Phebe opened the door for her
niece that night. Patience had forgot
ten the curls on her forehead and the
berries in her hair. With that light in
her eye she might have been excused
had she forgotten much more.
Did Eli Gardner come home with
thee asked Aunt Phebe.
No, Patience answered, and moved
forward.
Thee didn't come alone ? Aunt Phebe
said, looking anxiously after her.
No John Duane came home with
me, Patience replied, going up the stairs.
John Duane! A man of the world
given mp to the vanities of the flesh |!
Phebe Morgan groaned, burdened in
spirit for her siser Jane's child.
Patience Wilson at her daily work the
following morning hummed the air John
Duane had sung the day before, and
,smilingly repeated to herself the argu
ment of the song
Nothing in the world is single,
All Things by law divine
In another's beng mingle.
Why not with thine p
Patience, l wish thee wouldn't sing,
schiied Aunt Phebe. It sounds SO tri
fling and frivolous. t1e
Patience's song was checked, but the
new light her eyes had brought from
Eagle Cliff the night before did not die,
and her step was if she trod on air.
l never saw such hoity -toity ways,
Aunt Phebe said to Paitence's mother
She makes me think of some wild thing
fairly let loose. 1t all comes OF letting
her go outside Of her own society
always knew it would make mischief,
Jane; thee must speak to thy child.
Thee owes it to thy religion as we'll as
thy erring offspring.
And Jane Wilson, signing heavily,
spoke to Patience. My daughter, she
said, how did it happen that John Du-
ane came home with thee last night7
Patience coiored, but she replied,
stoutly, it did not happen at all. Itwas
piece of deliberate election on his
part. and of entire willingness on mine.
Where was Eli Gardner? asked her
mother, anxiously.
Oh mother! / don't like Eli Gard
ner, Patience broke out, resentfully.
OF course thee don't like John Duane