The Lincoln County herald., 1872-05-23
SILENCE.

Of the Veuner's old fashioned house.
Everything belonging to it was quaint
and old, but very comfortable.
The great yard, with the lawn sioping
sleepy from the wide porch, was filed
with dark pines and fowsa0ng shrubs,
making the air resinous and fragrant.
The house much too large for the three
only occupants-had windows on all sides
with clambering rsses throwing their
sweet leaves on the window silis aud
waiting fragrant perfume within.
Just inside the hall door stood a
statue of wood, painted white, of q life
size, and raised from the floor by low
pedestal. 1t seemed out of place, and
had evidently once been an ornament Of
the garden. 1t Was figure Of Silence
with hand upraised, somewhat weather
stained, but evidently carefully pre-
served and much priced ornament.
1t had been carved by an old school
mate of MIR. Veuner's to ornament HE
garden, but as the rain d.colored it, and
the friend had since died, it had been
removed and placed under shelter, much
to the curiosity and wonder Of visitors
who beheld the incougruous ornament of
the hall.
The door at the end Of the hall opened
abruptly, and quick, alert figure, with
floating pink drapsry, jetty curls, daintily
tied back with ribbon the same hue o..
her dress, tripped toward the sunny
porch. After bending over the oleander
and gathering a blossom, she swung her
mammoth feather broom along the baus
ters and door frames, then carefully dust
ing the heavy drapery OF Silence, she
vanished as suddenly as she had entered
Old Mr.. Venner, her grandfather, with
his wife now long dead, had brought up
tho girl from her babyhood lie was
rich and would mako her so at his death,
she being the only relative bo had
indeed, the only person in the wide world
he cared for, excepting SO far as that
broad love included her "dear Leonard" 4"
whom, in one month, she was to marry,
and then settle in the old home.
Grandfather Verner felt that Leonard
was worthy Of Claudia, which was fortu
nate for the young lovers, a. he would
have prevented any meeting or love max
inss, if they had not been approved by
him.
Yes, the lovers had smooth ways and
happy hours.
After Claudia had finished her few
household duties and practiced on the
harp an allotted time, she wandered off
with her sketch book, bringing home
pictures Of broken gateways and rustic
fences. In the evening Leonard returned
from the village, and the lovers strolled
among the shrubbery of the rarc old
place, in the soft twilight.
Sylvia, the girl, who made up the tri-
angle Of the household, was usually sent
to warn them when it was getting late OF
damp.
Although nearly as young as Claudia
she was an adept at house management
Everything in her department was beau
tifully arranged and her meals tastefully
and punctually served.
Five years before she had come beg
ging at the gate, was Hospitality received
and had served them faithfully ever since
Sylvia is strange girl" people said.
Her face was pale as marble, hair light
palo blue eyes, with the lids always
dropping over them, as if timid or bash
full
Mr. Venner, who had once practicsd
medicine, knew her to be partly de,
ranged, but SO harmless and sensible
withal. that while he treated her with
kindness and gentleness, never looked tc
sec her. other than tho quiet tacituru
, girl she had always been. The only
animation or raising of the lids from the
pale blue eyes, was when Leonard spoke
to her He was always civil and courte
Gus to hor, and tried not to show the
deep pity he felt for her in6rml'y.
AS Claudia sat sewing by the window
thinking of her grandfather who was at
tending to some business av the village
and Of Leonard, who had promised tc
come earlier than usual that evening
Sylvia handed her a notc
"Wili be back with my dear child to
morrow. Business will keep me over
night, but you will have Leonard; and,
alas fear you will not miss your fond
old GRANDFATHER"
"Yes, Leonard will be here-bless hi.
dear heart what should | do withou,
him2 But shall miss dear grandfather
nevertheless.
"Another note Sylvan" as tho pale
face again appeared at the door
"Yes, Miss Claudia, a boy just bough
it; and here's nosegay, too"
Claudie's eyes glistenej as she took the
flowers, for she we'll knew Leonard's
tavo-ite-the miguonette and pansies
When the door had closed on Sylvia, she
read Leonard's note: .-...
81 cannot be with you to night as
had hoped Sudden business calls me tc
Merton. Will tell you about it when
return. LEONARD"
A sudden change came over Claudia,
usually brave little heart, "Why do
feel so depressed Because I expected
them both, and can sec neither?" sh,
asked herself, but she could not shake of