Norfolk day book. [volume] (Norfolk and Portsmouth Va.) 1868-1880, 1869-07-17

struck the ivory keys with the
touch of fairy fingers.
The sitting-room was cover
ed with a plain mating !; a
large old-fashioned bookcase
stood in one corner, the shelves
closely stored with volumes OF
ancient and modern authors
Little brackets of curious work
manship were placed in the
corners and around the walls,
holding little porcelain vases,
shells from the broad Atlantic,
and coral rocks from Pacific
shores, and volumes of some IA
vorite poet. On a stand near
the window was placed her
lutte +; just above it, resting on
two brackets, placed there for
the purpose, hung her brother $
rife, bugle, and hunting cap !;
a large cushioned chair steod
in each corner by the hearth
stone for the loved and honor
ed parents a lounge and chairs
placed around at right angles
completed the furniture Of the
room.
The grounds were not so ex-
tensive as those of Henry Ash
ley, but equally beautiful from
a distance. The little yard in
the front of the house looked
like an Eden. Frames of
squares, diamonds, hearts, tri-
angles and pyramids, Of lattice
work were erected, upon which
sweet scented roses, luxuriant
honeysnckle and climbing
woodbines. were taught by low
ing hands to Irvine. Cultivat-
ed taste and loneliness was
marked in every spot.
AS I have described the
houses [ might as we'll describe
the cousins. Florence Crowd
er was an orphan, penniless and
a beauty, but naughty and self
willed. She was living with
her sister, who, with her pretty
face, had won the heart of the
wealthy Henry Ashley they
were far advanced in years, and
childless. Florence had been a
pet with them from her child
hood when she was orphaned,
and had grown up with the be-
lief that she would inherit her
brother-in-law' great wealth
at his death. Fully conscious
that she was pretty, with this
and the hope Of Henry Ashley's
wealth being one day all her
own, was the foundation upon
which she fed her pride. She
was below the medium height,
sparkling black eyes, cheeks
that outrivalled the roses
bright hue, ruby lips that
showed two rows Of even teeth
Of almost ivory wilderness when
she smiled, and heavy bralds
of purplish black hair. tlor-
ence was indeed pretty , but she
was lacking of many of those
qualities that form a perfect
woman !, of the knowledge of
housekeeping she was entirely
ignorant ; a poor performer on
the piano or harp drawing she
gave up long before she left
school books she cared moth
ing for aud never thought of
bestowing portion of her we'll
filled purse upon the needy and
suffering around her. Her
every thought seemed to be
concentrated into one piece of
folly, self-pride {; to see herself
arrayed in rich and costly at
tire, and have score Of suit
ors ever at her feet was all that
she cared for.
Minnie Lansing was some
times her seamstress, and to
her the praise was due for the
elegant needle work, and rich
embroideries that formed a part
Of Florence Crowder's magnifi-
cent wardrobe.
OF Minnie Lansing it is I'm
necessary to say much ; though
to say she was pretty, amiable,
accomplished and industrious,
is scarcely enough In the arts
of which Florence was deficient
Minnie Lansing far excelled I;
her form and face were such as
would please the eye of an art
list hers was a fair and deli
cate complexion, regular fea-
lures, slight tinge OF pink on
either cheek, lips like blushing
rose buds, pearlY white teeth !;