The St. Cloud journal. [volume] (St. Cloud, Minn.) 1866-1876, 1869-08-26

successive gene' ations had added 10 Il
extent, convenience, and elegance
the home sndeared by many tend'
and hallowed memories. It was a ran
bling mansion, that always suggeste
the idea Of having grown up to the II
quirements of its owners, rather tia
having been built in accordance Wit
the. design Of an architect. But I mu:
not pause upon the outer aspect Of thi
lovely and happy home. Lovely q
this was, its chief charm vas within
in the cultivation of mind, the grace Q
manner, and the warm, generous, lovin,
hearts of its inhabitants. How man
bright pietures memory recalls of thos
happy weeks of rambles through tn
woods in search Of some rare specimen
of the Southern Flora for my her
barium; Of boatings along the :iver
banks, when the suuii ght fiokeret
down on US through the dancing leave
Of overarching lines and oaks, or when
dropping low in the west, it made tn
woods seem all on FIRE with its glow
or, best of all, Of chill evenings spent
in Mr.. Forrester's library, when th'
blaze of the resinous pine wood playei
over the well-6lled book-shelves, 0,
flashed on the faces of the portraits that
hnng above the mantel-shelf, startling
the gazer with momentary appearance
Of lite aud motion There was a quie.
tude, seeming steadfastness, about
this place and the life associated with
it, which charmed me greatly, aud
which, perhaps, impressed inc all the
more from its contrast with the cease
less activity and over-changeful kalei-
doscope Of our New York life.
My father lacked the stately case Of
Mr.. Forester, and the cultivation
which life Of leisure had enabled him
to attain ; but, possessing a sbrewd, in-
telligent mind, he had gathered much
Of interesting incident and character
from his stirring life, aud so could con-
tribute his quota to tho entertainmcnt
of OR little circle. Gentle, lovely
Mrs. Forester, whatever mig ght be the
subject Of conversation, gave it new in-
terest by Ler quick intelligence, he1
playful wit, and womanly grace; and
'the boys" as she: called them, though
one was Gig ghteen aud the other twenty.
three, threw somewhat of the hopeful
brightness and fearless confidence OF
theirown uutried natures over the grave,
and more cautions conclusions of theil
elders: For me, I observed and enjoy,
ed, summing myself in this atmosphere
Of summer warmth and quiet. l for
got that from such an atmosphere tht
storms are born. Aud Lily-she seem
ed to drink in new and fuller anc
healthier life at every pore. Her slen
der form acquired more womanly pro
portion, richer carminc glowed on bel
cheeks and lips, and IN her brown eye.
there lurked tenderer shadow. Th.
child's careless, oonfiding look was soft
ened and beauti6cd by maidenly con
sciousness.
! We had originally intended return
ing home the last week in April but
by some means, Mrs. Forester hat
learned that the twenty eighth of Apri
would be Lily's birthday, and she urg
ed US most aaectionately to givo then
the pleasure Of celebrating it with US
My father consented, in consequence
to stay till the first Of May.
All who were within visiting distauc
Of the Forrcsters-and that meant a
within ten miles-were invited to tn
birthday te:e. Our amusemeuts we,
to be archery and croquet parties
which began at four O'Clock in tn
afternoon, and, in the evening, dance
A collation. was provided, of which th
!, guests were to be invited to partake .
they arrived ; and the whole was to- co,
) cIude with a magnificent suppe
3 There werc many consultations on ii
. twenty-seventh, and I was scarce1
. surprised when, entering the library
r the evening, in search Of Philip Fo
. rester, who was to help me to faste
t, around the pictures some wreaths I b.
D been making, I found bis elder broth<
= Elliot, in close conversation with
It father. There was somethin g, howcve
y in tho looks Of the younger man,
n we'll as the sudden silence on my G
, trance, which made me step back quio
d ly. . -~----.
% "Pray, come back, Miss Raymond
J. cried Mr.. Forester, adding, with
h smiling glance at his son is. I roturne
ID "Here is Elliot sadly in want ofa &C
IL fi1ante for love-tale."
v. l thought that Elliot Forester Ioe
g. ed flushed and nervous; but, bowl
e slightly'ro me, he said quickly, 81 v
We not offer Miss Raymond an apology
h. leaving her with you - then, pausi
no for moment at the door-"Can. >
he tell me where your father is, Miss r.
no rnond !"
ed Before I could answer, Philip ent
m cd, hammer in hand. Elliot imme
ay ately disappeared, and Mr.. Forres
tie began to speak Of the wreaths I he
en- in manner that prevented any rec