The Fairfield herald. [volume] (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1849-1876, 1871-10-18

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and melt all their icicles that have
been forming in her naturally warm
heart for years. She feels the pcces.
sity now of having some one to guide
aud instruct the children, and is plead.
ing with me daily to procure gover-
ness to take charge of them"
Maude looked up with sudden in-
spiration, while her eyes glowed like
stars and her choeks burned redly,
but she oalmed herself and said
firmly. .> 80 ... ,'r.'. '..''
"You must make your tour 70
Europe alone, my aunt cannot spare
me yet. At the expiration of a year
if your mother has withdrawn her on.
position and your children are willing,
will become your wife, but I tell
you, Gerald, I am not equal to the
undertaking now"
Gerald Clifton looked gloomy and
sadly disheart ,ned but Maude's word
was as immutable as tho laws
of tho Modes and Persians,
no amount Of persuasion could
induce her to alter her determination,
so he was obliged to content himself
with her unsatisfactory answer and
start on his business tour alone. The
morning after his departure for Trans.
Atlantic shores, Beverlyand her aunt,
! Mrs. Ashton, we're oloseted in earnest
conversation for the space Of an hour.
Maudo besought favor with tears,
prayers aud entreaties, which her
aunt at first refused positively but
finally granted, expostulating with
her ali the time, and declaring her
conduct to be most reprehensiblc.
On the shore of the dark
; blue sea stood quaint old
; house built Of solid masonry with
, steep roof, upon which opened dor
mer windows gable cuds, the one i'll
front being surmounted by wealth
cr-cock of gigantic proportions, which
swung eternaily in the stroug sea.
breeze, and tall chimneys, ovcrarched,
that rose above the roof like gloumy
sentincls upon guard, to protect the
dwelling and its inmates. A few out
buildings of dark red brick were sit
uated in the rear; the whole yard was
surrounded by Il substantial wall aud
tho windows Of the building, which
was situated upon gentle emi-
ncnce, commanded an admirable view
# tn: wh,tc-;Appcd Atlantic, while
the ears ui the occupants were ever
fl,d with lis e,ernal thundcrings.
Cron the pebtly beach, gathering
>he.i> ana cas-, ,ng them away, strayed
twp fai' cnidren haud III hand IA
uahds"me, DIRK browed boy Of six
bcau' itu, >iultcScd girl of four.
BY Il wlnouw within the mansion, sat
,'ateiy old lady, srr"lnsly seve.
gcnarian, with 81 ssy iolds of black
sA'in f,,ting around her and tliil.
! ed cap # dazzling wh,teness upon h,r
smooth g,sy hail. These were the
mother and children Of Gerald Clifton
Il ID this was his home by the sea
The lady's meditations were interrup.
ted by the sound of wheels and pres
emily vehicle was driven rapidly up
to the gate in the wall. The coach.
man dismounted and assisted sien,
der girl, robed in a travelling suit ol
silver hued poplin to alight and ente,
tho enclosure.
Mrs Clifton advanced to the door
and welcomed the new governess
who introduced herself as Miss Clare
Rivers while scarlet blush mantled
her checks and her rose-leaf lip.
quivered slightly. Mrs. Clifton
. scanned attentively this stranger who
} had come to be q guide and instruc.
tress to her youthful grand children
in answer to her advertisement. She
beheld on attractive girl, with com
plexion as pure as Pa1ian marble
with shining bands of silken hal,
wound around an empresslke head
eyes of cerulean blue, nose as perfect
as that of any statuesque Greek
maiden and teeth like line of pear
between rows of corals. She wore &C
armor Of sweet dignity ard looked
modest and unasuming. Her brave
: eyes did not quail during the ole
lady's keen scrutiny but far.away
yearning look came into them, ten
. der, dreaming light, as if she had
penetrated the pearly mist of by+gont
years and had seen her angel,mother
as she appeared in other days. with
the warm sunlight of earthly love ir
radiatiug her oountenance. Mrs
Clifton was apparently satisfied will
her searching gaze into tho windows o.
the girls soul for she olasped hsl
hand warmly and said kindly. ..- /
"Welcome, my dear, to our wild
sea- washed home and if you do no
tire of the waters, constant booming
and the wild oaroling of the winds
! we shall be glad to have you will
t u.s." 80 ,..'.it-. =. 2, ,i... ,
Y Glare thanked her gracefully ant
after exchanging few pleasant word
3 retired to hor apartment preceded b,
an ebony Venus who had been sum
moned to conduct her tbither. ..