The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1871-07-05
HIDDEN,
BY j. r. II.


pen! What could have possessed 70,
to purchase such a house in such al
out-of- the-way place Z"
And the young wife turned a trou
bled face towards her husband.
81 am sorry-very sorry, that yor
are not satisfied, Edith" he replied
"but the purchase was not mere mat
ter of choice. Had 1 not made it
should have lost more money than ]
could well afford. But you are taking
the worst possible view of the matter
The, country is delightful and pictur.
esque, the house comfortable in all res
poets, though old; and know of nc
place where the summer months can be
passed more pleasantly. Certainly il
IS relief to escape from the heat and
dust and turmoil of the city to so re.
tired aud tranquil a spot"
Retired, indeed!'
sis that not what we come into the
country fOr9 ] fancied it would please
you, my darling; and remember oul
stay here will not be lengthy one
that we are merely birds of passage
and that both of us need rest after the
exciting winter we have passed"
But Edith Morris did not look through
the same rose.colored glass as her hus-
band. She had made up her mind at
the first glance not to be satisfied and
had it not been for the gay party that
accompanied them, would have been
miserable, and considered herself sac
rificed to useless whim of her hus-
band, for she failed to comprehend the
pecuniary part of the transaction.
There were others, however, who
were delighted with the change from
the confinement of the city. The old,
rambling house Though still in good
repair,) isolated and hidden by great
trees; the orchard, laden with fast III
pening fruit; the broad meadows, dot
ted here and there with cIumps of
bushes, the brooks that meandered
through them, with their sides fringed
with willows; the fields of rustling
corn and golden grain; the many
walks that could be trayersed free from
observation-were at once wonder
and delight.
And no one enjoyed them more
though with less of outward demon
stration-than Kate Vaughan, cousin
Of both the host and hostess. The love
OF the beautiful was pact of her ma
ture, and she saw it in all her eyes
rested upon.
To the rest of the bevy Of girls, who
had gladly accepted of Edith Morris
invitation, verything that was novel
had charm for them, though it was
only passing one. But Kate looked
deeper than the surface, saw old-time
loves, and memories, and sorrows
clinging to the unhidden beams in din
ing-room and chamber, and clustering
around the huge fireplace. Her mind
was one of the kind that ran back like
a tomb-searcher through the past; and
she delighted in exploring unfrequent-
ed spots, gently removing the moss and
mold, and reading the half-obliterated
inscriptions upon monuments, in search.
ing for and unraveling mystery. And
SO, when all others had settled them
selves comfortably, and were passing
the lovely days in a round of exciting
pleasure, Kate began her investiga-
tions Of the old house in which chance
had placed her, resolved to learn it's
former history, and become familiar
with its every nook and corner.
To do this Alright, she sought for and
found an old couple who had the charge
during the years it had been closed,
save only the few rooms they occupied.
The tale was simple and soon told; in
fact, they knew little more than could
have been gained by the most casual
observer.
1t had formerly been occupied by a
certain DR.. Marsh, whose wife and chill
lren had died one by one; and after
lie was left alone he continued to re-
'ide there until his decease, which was
he result of an accident in a distant |
part of the country. Then an agent of
he heirs came, cleared out everything I
If value, and placed them in charge of
he house and garden, the large farm
,eing let; and they had remained un-
nolested until it had passed into the
possession of Mr.. Frank Morris, who !,