The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1850-1873, 1870-09-02
MI OPPOSITE NEIGHR0R,

M VIIO0lI6 NElGHBVks
The spring was just coming i'm, when
the house opposite, which had been
vacant all the winter, found tenant.
The house was not exactly opposite,
however, for it stood i'm side street,
and fronted, therefore, at right angles
TO my lodging-honse. But the sec
ond-floor back" which l occupied,
overlooked its garden, and that is the
main point in my story. i say "gar-
den advisediy; for, unlike most
London Houses, the house opposite
had large piece of ground behind it,
part of which was shut off by trel-
lis-work, and was full of flower-beds
and my first knowledge that the
house was occupied at last, was the
sight of young lady, very vision of
beauty, who appeared one morning in
charming, yet simple costume, rake
in hand, to attend to these very beds.
had always been passionately fond
of flowers. / watched her, accord
ingly, with deep interest as, day by
day, she directed neighboring florist
where TO set out new plants. After
wards, she herself attended to the
garden, watering the flowers night
and morning, hoeing the earth when
necessary, and carefully shipping of
the dead wood. She would have been
beautiful i'm any dress, but in this beau
tiful garden-costume she looked di-
vine. Graceful and tall, womanly in
all her movements, l had never seen
her equal. At the end of a week, l
thought OF nothing but my opposite
neighbor. At the end of a fortnight
| was hopelessly in love.
Sometimes, the notes of piano
were heard from within the opposite
house; and then a voice rang out,
SO elastic, so sympathetic, so thorough
" cultivated, that l was ravished.
Now the songs were gay; now they
were sad but always the voice was
superb, the execution perfect. Sew
cral times an elderly gentleman came
out into the garden: her farther no
doubt.
L had often passed the house, but
no name was on the door; so did
not as vet even know my oppo-
site ncighDor. did not like to make
inquiries. But, at last, Mrs. Day, my
landlady, said, one day, incidentally,
that the name Of the people who had
taken the opposite house was Milford,
and that the young lady was the wife
of the elderly gentleman.
You could have knocked me down
with feather when heard this in
telligence. But | rallied after a while,
and asked, boldly. if Mrs. Day was
certain.
"There is such disparity i'm their
ages" | said; lit seems impossible"
Bat she answered very positively, as
landladies do, "that she had it from
the best authority"
My dream was broken. Once or
twice afterward, 1 saw my opposite
neighbor at her gardening, but al
ways left my W indow whea she came
out; and in fortnight went to Scot
land, more to cure myself of this
hopeless fancy than because had any
thing to do i'm the North. When l
came back i'm the autumn the opposite
house was closed and my ncighbOrs
gone
That very afternoon, walking down
Regent street, / met an old college
friend, Tom Birdscll.
"Why, bless me-" he cried, ave
havn't met for years. Pm just going
TO Narrey's to dine. Join me, and
wen talk of old times, unless you're
married, and must go home to dinner.
Not married, eh?" he added, gaily.
Lucky fellow! Fmnot exactly mar
ried but I'm engaged, and want to
make the most of my liberty. So
come along"
We went accordingly. ...
"Alice is charming GIRL he said,
getting confidential as the dinner pro-
crossed. "I'm going there this even
ing, and, by the way, why won't you
come, too, and give me your opinion
of her? Let's of money, l can tell
YOU. lite rather a romantic story |;
my engagement to her, / mean. Her
father was an old friend of my fathers
just as you and are; bnt they hadn't
met for years. In fact. Alice's papa
had lived at Liverpool, and only. came
TO London last spring, when he hired
n house for six months, till he could
look around and buy one for himself
The two old fellows ram against each
other accidentally in the street, were
frightfully glad, insisted Oh Alice and
meeting, and finally planned match
between us. My charmer was little
distant, at first; but she's coming
around now: and though the wedding
day isn't fixed, the marriage is to
come of, the old folks say, some time
this spring"
And 10 you love herr"
"Oh, enough for all practical purpO-
scs. She's lady-like and cultivated,
and pretty, and all that, and has lots
of money. 1t would be a pity to
disappoint the old people, eh?"
But you havh't told me her Eame:"
Alice Milford. But bless me, old
fellow, what's the matter!"
Nothing, or only a sudden cramp."
Il forgot to show you her picture
he said. Here it is-a very good one,
too, though | must say il flatters her
slightly"
/ knew before | took the photo
graph i'm my hand that il was my OPP
posite neighbcrs. And had thought
her married-oh, how blind turned
aside, as if to throw the light more
directly OH the picture; no ono must
see me while looked upon her. How
| had loved her never knew till now
1t was she looking upon me with
calm, soft cyes-eycs that might have
been my heaven. ...r
"WclI, its eight O'Clock. and l am
&c be there to take coffee at nine. So
we had better he going. No excuses.
Come along" he said, as / drew back.
allowed myself to be led away.
We reached the place, an elegant
mansion i'm the Regents Park, and
were ushcrcd into the drawing room.
I'm very glad to meet you," Mr..
Milford. on my being introduced to
him. Il like your face, sir; and, by
the way, it looks familiar. Still, /
never heard your name before, !
think"
Alice soon made her appearance.
Stately and star like she glided in,
greeting her betrothed with q careless
grace. that seemed more like friend
ship than love. ! was introduced.
As she gave me her hand crimson
flush shot over her face.
Il thought you were alonc,' she
said, turning to Tom but your friend
is very welcome"
nj of