The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1872-08-15

was 1alr, sweet anu S(lnpatictic
the daughter was fair, plump, pret
ty, and with a winning manner
charmingly made up of the oflec
tionatc and imperious. Isabel wa
especially touched by the tondnCs'
of the mothcr.ond daughter for eacl
other. They seemed like tendcrly
attached sisters. When they hearc
that Isabels mother had lately die,
their tone and manner grew moro
friendly and sweet than ever; anc
Miss Germainc observed, with {
swelling heart, that the young Eng
lish lady instnctly threw her arm
around her own mother and clunl
to her as if the bare thought of {
possible separation had atlrightco
her. The elder lady turned upor
her and smiled a sweet rcassuring
smile; and Isabel loved them both
A basis Of negotiation was Soor
agreed upon.
" Papa will doanything we like
said Miss Alsager.
" And | have only myself tC
please" said Isabel with sigh.
As the house would need som,
new decorations to suit the taste o
the coming owners, Miss German,
earnestly recommended Mr.. Rowan
and mentioned his long connection
with the family. Mrs, Alsager was
only too glad to have the troubl,
taken off her hands; and Isabel ven,
turcd to make an appointment tol
the next day but one, when Mr.
Rowan could be present and every.
thing would be arranged.
The next day but one, at the ap,
pointed hour, Mrs. Alsagcr and hcl
daughter Alice were at the place
They were shown into room il
which they could hear the notes o
a piano. 1t was large, low-roof
ed room, with folding doors tina
stood partly open. The autumn
sun shonc upon the room where th'
Strangers stood, and left the smaller
apartment ON which the folding
doors opened partly in shadow
But Mrs. Alsager and her daugh,
ter could see that in the smaller
room Isabel sat at the piano, anc
that a handsome young man will
dark curling hair stood beside her
She was playing some sad, sweet al
some air that spoke vaguely yc
with penetrating conviction, Of sep
aration and farewell.
In moment Isabel arose and ad
vanced to meet the visitors, yet no
so quickly but that the mother anc
daugtcr had exchanged speaking
glances. They thought they coulc
understand that scene.
Miss Germaine did not show th
slightest embarrassment. &" Mr.
Rowan has come" she said. g"
have been trying to amusc him :
and she smiled rather a weary
smile.
"Mr. Rowan" repeated Mrs
Alsager, in a tone Of surprise; anc
she looked around for the elderly
builder.
" Not Mr.. Rowan, the father
said Isabel, "but the SON." and sh
formally presented the young maj
to the two ladies, who, fresh from
England, bowed rather coldly t.
him.
"My father says he begins to dis
trust his own judgment in modcrl
household affairs" said young Row
an, "and he always insists ON on
of us taking his place when any
thing new has to be looked after.
don't agree with him. Ionly wisl
| had Us good an artistic judgmcn
even by training as he seems to hav
by instinct. But he will have it SC
and so | have taken the liberty t
come to-day instead of him. Hyo
will allow me to show you over til
house, Mrs. Alsagcr, | shall be hap
py to take your instructions, and t
offer any suggestion-with you
leave that may occur to me-"
His manner was rs cool and cas-,
as though he were gentleman o
fortune showing his new house t.
two or three friends; yet in all tn
business details of the inspection h
deported himself simply as the skill
led artisan taking orders and givins
experienced suggestions. Mrs. AL
sager disliked him at the first, mere
Is because she was little shocked
to see a young lady on such familia
tetms with a house-builder's son
But his manner was very good
neither constrained nor in the lcas
degree intrusive-his taste and judg
ment seemed perfect, and he wa
certainly very handsome.
When young Rowan was takin'
his leave Isabel shook hands wit
him in the warmest manner, AM
said in a low tone:
81 shall see you again-to-mor