The Placer herald., 1872-08-10
GRACE EvERSLEiGH'S GOLDEN HAIR.

Grace Eversleigh. 1t was at a ball of which |
she was undoubtedly the belle. She was
fair, tall and graceful. But her chief beauty
was in her exquisite hair, which was Of the
purest, pale golden hue, and so luxurian
that the fair young head appeared to bend
beneath its weight. In whatever way it was
arranged, whether in heavy brads almost as
thick as my arm, or in siken, massive coils,
Or in curls that fell below the slender waist,
or left to flow unbound, ripping down like
golden 81 ry, it was always the most Won
derful hair | had ever seen. l raved OF
Graces hair by day, l dreamed of it by
night; "the fair one with the golden locks,
whispered in her blushing ear.
and my sister Alice were orphans, and
had lived together until about year before
my story opens, when Alice had married.
Alice was different in character from myself;
she was less imaginative and mors prac ical.
She did not share my enthusiasm for Grace.
''Take care! take care!' she said. "All is
not gold that gltters.
1t was happy moment, when, after many
jealous pang caused by rival admirers, !
ventured to press my first kiss on Grace's
lips, and heard her low eyes j" in response
to my ardent protestations of love, and my
offer of my hand Alice, when | told her
the next day, made me for the first time in
my life angry with her, for she called me a
| blind fool, and said | had thrown myself and
fortune away on one who was both false and
artificial. But my anger was soothed by the
warmth with which the Eversleighs, one and
| all, received me. Old Mr.. Eversleigh, after
he had ascertained that popular report had
not exaggerated the extent of my income,
shook me enthusiastically by the hand, and
declared that was ga son-in-law after his
pie, maternal bosom, bestowing on me sal
utation with which | could have willingly
dispensed. was kissed, blessed and shaken
hands with by all the uncles, aunts and
cousins; and people in general felicitated me
upon being the happiest of men.
Alice, much as she disliked Miss Evers-
leigh, said she would call upon her. AT this
forgave my sister all. "When You know
Grace better you will get over your pre.u
pces," | remarked as we drove to Mr.. Ev
ersleighs.
We were kept some time waiting in the
paror before Grace made her appearance
In the meantime Nellie, her youngest sister,
| a child of six, came in to make sisters ac-
quantance Alice was excessively fond OF
children. So the little one was soon estab
shed upon her knee, amusing her with her
childish prattle.
"What a pretty curl you have" she cried,
admiringly. "Can you take it off?'
"No, DEAR" answered Alice, laughing.
"Not unless | cut it off; it grows upon my
head"
"Grows!' the child repeated; "How
strange! Why sister Grace takes hers of
every night and puts it away in a drawer"
Alice gave me malicious glance; but just
then Grace, deep frown upon her fair brow,
entered. | could not understand why she
spoke so sharply to little Nellie, and immedi-
atey sent her from the room. Alice did not
enlighen me, merely remarking, when we
had left the house, that Miss Grace Evers-
eig,. angelic attributes appeared to exist
only in my imagination. "Certainly her con-
duct to that innocent child was anything but
angelic" she added, when she saw how little
impression she had made on me.
The days of our engagement passed swiftly
on. Alices constant sneers only heightened
my passion Every hour became more in
love. Grace's maiden dignity increased the
effect of her charms. Often | attempted to
twine her silken curls around my finger; to
10Y with those golden, ripping waves; but ]
was always repused with coy sweetness
that left me more deeply infatuated than
| ever.
was excessively fond Of riding on horse
back so my first present to Grace was
beautiful horse, and almost every day we
took long rides together She was grace.
full equestrienne, and never looked better than
in the saddle She rode fearlessly, too, and
this also made me prouder of her.
One day as we rode together noticed that
her hair was arranged with even more effect
than usual. | compimented her upon it,
saying detested anything stiff or artificial,
especially in the arrangement of lady
hair.
eyes" she answered, sweetly. 81 have
such quantity of hair scarcely know how
to hold it up. Sometimes think | shall be
obliged to cut half of it off. Many girls, as
you perhaps know, do not scruple even to
wear false hair; but this appears to me to be
contrary to the purity and dignity of woman
hood. A true woman would not seek admi-
ration and notice by adorning herself with
borrowed ornaments. Mamma has always
taught us to be natural above all things"
was delighted with these admirable SEN
ti,nenis. They conceded exactly with my
own. looked at her again. Never had
she been SO beautiful The close habit of
clue cloth displayed the rounded form to IFS
fullest perfection. Exercise had brought
vivid flush to the fair cheek, a bright light to
the soft blue eye. The jaunty black hat,
with its waving plume, just shaded the sweet
face, and the sun shining full upon her hair
caused it TO look like living gold. became
enthusiastic. l could hardly find words vivid
enough to express my admiration. :.
Suddenly Miss Eversleigh grew deadly