Beaufort Republican. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1871-1873, 1872-12-05

stance OF 1t; but all this happened god
while ago, and it isn't worth thinking
about. Come, off with YOU to your dress
maker of the odious name, while | so down
town and see what the news is."
1t was natural, suppose, that should
speculate little about this secret OF Johns
for that it was a secret was quite sure
by the way he dismissed me from his con.
fderce; and so as [ rode along to the
street and number where | was directed
to find this wonderful dress-naker, who
could fit without measurement and tim
without patterns, l imagined all sorts OF
strange adventures for my brother, in
which everything conceivable figured,
pistols and coffee, etc. etc. in short, every
thing except love. That could never have
betalien him, or should have heard of it.
True, John had been away from Us for at
least five years, and during large pdrt'on
of that time we had scarcely heard from
him. Still, had be been through any love
affair, we should certainly have known it;
and then, again, John wasn't the kind OF a
man to fall in love, anyway, He had been
always extremely reserved in society, in
variably preierring companionship of his
own sex, much to my discontinue, who
had made at least harf dozen splendid
matches for him.
In the midst Of my reverie the coach
man appeared, saying, This is the house,
madam;" and I found thct had rolled
INTO a quiet, clean street, and had stopped
before plain two-story frame house, bear
ing the number | was in search of. A
wholesome, motberly- looking woman open
ed the door, and in answer to My call for
Mrs. Andrews directed me up stairs to the
"sccond story, 'front.'" and there | found
her. wish I could give you even slight
idea Of the figure that greeted my eye as
| entered the room. She was about me-
dunn height, with a slender, graceful
wondrously gracclul-fgure. | thought
then, and say now, that she was the most
beautiful! woman ever beheld. Such ex-
ceeding symmetry OF face and form is hard
ly met with more than once in lifetime.
It is no use to attempt description Her
eyes were dark blue, veilcd by long,
sweeping lashes, adding to the look of pa
tient sadness expressed in every feature.
She looked about twenty, though found
afterward that she was something older
than this.
'NIrs. Andrews?" said 1, interrogatively,
as she opened the door to my knock.
':Mrs. Andrews" she answered with a
smilc-a smile so sweet and rare that |
could have caught her in my arms and
kissed her without further. parley.
THE dress-maker?" 1 asked again,
colorlng to the roots of my hair without
the least reason in the world.
"Mrs. Andrews, the dress-makor," she
replied, with dignity, the smile fading
from her face. "Can ! do anything for
you?"
In five minutes more | had explained my
business, and waited to see what she would
say.
81 have engagements for all this week. -
she said, III low, sweet tones, glancing at
her memorandum book. "And then,
again, Mrs. Sinclair, never 60 out. My
work IS all brought to me here, and when
it is finished, my customers"-here she
turned her head, and looked out Of the
window for a second "my customers
this time more dccidedly-"send for it"
"You do not mean to say that you never
90 out of doors?n ! inquired, with shud-
der. Some way the idea of this lovely
woman forever shut up with her work in
this lonely street was more than could
bear.
"Oh no." she answered, smiling again,
very much to my delight, Il only mean
that never go out to work.
"Have you any especial reasons for
this?" W. my next query. "Do you not
find it crlally rcmunerative"
co.. it is not that" she replied,
quickly "but I have little baby girl,
not quite two years old, whom l find it
impossible to leave"
''But that will make no difference to
me-" l interrupted, warmly. 81 think
[ should quite enjoy having your little
one with us. She will be company for
my baby aid, my dear little woman, I
really believe the change would be good
for YOU both. l think l can safely
promise not to overwork YOU"
Delicate, sweet, lady-like as she was,
kind words were evidently strangers to
her ears for, after moments silence,
she said, with a choking sob she vainly
endeavored to hide.
"You are very good to me we will
come next Monday morning.
That was all-every word. l never
so longed for power to express my SYM
Ipathy and desire to be Of service as ut
that moment, but all could DO was to
press her hand warmly. and promise 70
send the carriage for her. How value
less words are at such times
John was home before me. Great,
lazy fellow he had nothing to do but
look out little for the property he had
amassed. He had made heaps of money,
invested il wisely, and the result was
not only physical inactivity, hut NOR
bid mental condition which seemed to
me, as in my love I watched him more
closely than anyone else, developing IN
a marked and disagrecable avoidance o
all society. He rode alone, walked
alone, sat in his room and read and
studied and smoked alone. He let me
in, however, at all times, and seemed
desirous of making me happy. My
husband at this time was abroad, so
suppose he felt some obligation concern
ing me.
As usual, I found him on the library
lounge; reading,
cob, John !" said 1, 81 have lots tt
tell you. Guess where l have been, ant
what l have found Oh, such an ad
venture as | have had"
adventure ?" he repeated, with