Daily Davenport Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1864-1874, 1868-02-29
The Mystery Explained.

was spending the most beautiful part OF
the year With Mrs Ross at Rose Hill, my
usual summer resort, and gayer, happier
Company than that which was then around
me, | nave seldom found. Excursions pic.
rlc' and all manner OF enioymcnts were con
nnually on the list, I'D never had time
passed 50 pleasantly bcforo
Oie anpag us. however, sccmed to tax
no interest m our gatherings. or in any oi
our pH;ie and Charles Meretith's c | |
ness aud reserve was frequent subject OF
comment. especially among the lauics
l9ung an attractive he certainly was, aud
possessed Of brilliant cplloqpial powers,
which myself hal often tested for friend
~ advances from others. aud it was only
alter many perseycrng efforts tina. finally
drew hiin out OF his reserve. Our same
res OF pursuit. had some influence thare
no dpabt. We were both artists. was
strongly and irresistibly attracted toward,
the handsome, energetic enthusiast; and
II pleased ms greatly 10 find that in nv
company, at least. lie would throw or the
mask If reserve
When Al length persuaded him to min
&C Ia our party IN the drawing room, the
fascinating young artist became q general
iavafits. noticed more than one fair Ia.
d, = check blush with pleasure whom
Char'es lereiith's dark eye flashed into
her, bat a.nn- AL III. ladies' in our hole
Set 'c seemed t. choose Annie Fav the
mefr'eS little fairy tba, ever danced ON the
earth
q stormy evening we were sitiiug in
The well iiSitct drawing room, most OF us
IN earnest conversation concerning the
sphere % wcmaa. ! noticed that Charles
was unusually quiet as Tho discussion went
on. 'housl. his eyes were flushing strangely
a. he listened To CIR various il,as
Suddenly exclaimed 10 my opp pnent
"Say what you val. SIR, when a woman has |
once lowered herself from her proper sphere. |
she has lowered herself lar ia my cstIma- |
ton and respect"
As ! said this turned my gaze full up- |
on Charles Meredith's face AS il TO ask his
opinion. To IN, terror, saw HIM spring
from his seat with pale face and hands up
hhed, as though suffering intense agony
Several gentlemen sprang forward TO AID
nun, when suddenly his arms fell helplessiy
oy us side, and hastily turning, he lett the
room.
Poor fellow" said Annie Fay; .'he
works 50 necessarily that it is no wonder
he Ia i'll"
Tier words were received ~ sufIi .ient |
reason for Charles behavior, and were YER
insd when he returned to offer an apology |
Tor b" abrupt departure, giving sudden III |
meas ~ an excuse
Alter that, Charles Meredith never Joined |
US IN the drawing room Agsin. More reserv.
ed than ever, be worked IN his room. or
With sketch book in hand, spent DAYS In
rambling ovor the hills. nov seldom. met
him or shcn did I vas panied and sur
prised to hnd that his interest in me secm |
I'd entirely gone. 30 cold and discourac,ne
was his behavi :.
Mr.. Meredith has left u.s." remarked
Mrs R,as, one morning, after We had break
TASTED.
LEFT usv' exclaimed. "where has hs
gone. and Why -
IL do not know; be gave me no rcssca."
was the answer
Now that be had gone. found what
deep hold the dark-syed boy had taken up
on my affections. | recalled his graceful
form. his musical voice aud sad looks. and
regretted keenly that I hsd not taken great
er pans to secure his friendship.
Sas salkin, in the garden. ono dsy.
JUS, ~ ,~'siSht, and heating the roll Of car.
ssS' wheels, l approached the front en- |
us"ce gaze travelling carriage draw nm |
before me, and Is its Occupant spr,r
AMI came towards me, l was surn,;ssa :.
Had u vas Charles Meredith. We en,srsS
The house together, but he did no, a,nssr |
81 the dinner table Mrs Ross was SAT-.
nov glad she was To see him back again.
and how pale and i'll he Looked when lie en-.
terrell.
The next day the bell was mufflej. doors
were opened and closed cxreiuliy. and the
oews OF Mr.. Mercdith's dangerous Illness
uew from mouth to mouth For a lonc
time his life hung by thread; but at last
our good hostess Joy fully tcld US Of his sure
recovery. a mighty load seemed to leave
my heart, and | nov waited anxieusly for
his rc-appesrance. Great was my surprise
and disappointment, then, when heard he
had again left. AS before, l asked where
he had gone; but Mrs. Ross did not seem
- hear my question; and impatiently ex-
~. sd TO Annie Fay, who stood near ne
II s~ry strange why Mr. Meredith time
euddeniy .>kes his den.rtnrs U.,. ,o,
any idea Of hla return - n's you
He will not rstaru :, al n. MAJ,
Tor he" "'' NAT. osooAne'o
Hero Annie suddenly s,ec,,,
ing quick. confused glance !, -, a@a easy
turned awav. l looked after 'see' sne
spIits in surprise. ''''e
"Why should she know nnythin, -
Msredith's affairs? thought: "and Ger a.
salniy che does. for she appeared strangely
confused"
The nszs wsek packed ny trunk and
stastsasz. elss With no particular deter