The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1872-06-19

Henry Inglesby was woman such as
one does not sec very often. AS she
stood in the soft, golden light with her
graceful figure, her flowing dress of lus.
treless black silk, and the folds of sheer
white ciape at her neck and wrists, she
looked so queenly and imposing that
pretty, dainty Rose shrank INTO absolute
insigniticance before her. Then, what
an alabaster complexion; what stat.
uesque features; what large, full eyes Of
the rare golden-brown tint; what rich
heavy masses of magnificent golden
brown hair! Altogether, she was q
woman whose beauty no one could
deny, woman born to lead hearts cap
tive by right divine of her witching
face, and a woman with fascination
quite independent of these personal
gifts, as Rose herself was soon forced tc
acknowledge.
For, beginning with soft, sad remem.
brances of the bright engineer, who hac
been the link between them, Mrs. In
glesby soon won her way to the girpt
heart. Her manners were very sweet
and gracious-a little dignified, perhaps
for the taste of the present day, bul
very perfect, for all that; and very vel
calculated to wear away, by gentle de-
grees, the barriers Of shyncss and re.
serve. Though the dead Harry" had
been on" RHse'ss i.:.it h:!t brother, she was
very tender toward his memory; and,
despite the beauty which at first had
startled her, was very we'll disposed to
like the wife of whom she had been sc
proud. The two were talking like old
acquaintances when Colonel Inglesby
came in after while little shaken
from his ordinary calm, little subdued
in his ordinary manner; for. though he
had said nothing about it, this visit was
trial to him, recalling, as it did, the
son who had been, of all the children
his favorite and pride. He was relieved
when he saw how matters were progress.
ing, for Rose was an uncertain girl at all
times, and in nothing more uncertain
than her likes and dislikes. 1t had
been q matter Of doubt how she would
receive the new sister-in-law: and
therefore, her father was relieved to see
that friendly relations were already es.
tablishcd between them. Soon after his
entrance Mrs. Inglesby appeared, and
presently, dinner was announced.
The evening which followed, though q
strictly domestic one, was far from q dull
one. The Inglesby house was, Of all
houses in NOrthorpe, the most popular
in social way; and, though tonight
not one of its usual visitors rang the
door-bell, or dropped in for the half
that always heightened into q
half hour, or probably several hall
hours, no one missed tuem, or felt time
tedious because Of their absence. True,
Rose looked once or twice wjstfully to-
ward the street, as masculine step rang
on the pavement, or q masculine voice
tioated through the window; but she
bore the usual isolation very we'll. and
even she acknowled, when the evening
was over, that the new sister-in-law was
a singularly charming person: What
the latter has said or done that was
specially attractive nobody knew; bu,
that whatever she said or did had D
grace Of it's own they all felt. After she
had hidden them goodnight, and rHtir.
ed to her chamber, they each looked al
the chair where she had lately sat, and
where the fragrance of her presence
still fingered, and each expressed ilI
different ways, the same degree of ad'
niration.
"Poor Harry fellow!" said the
Colonel, rising and walking to and fro.
at was even harder on him than
thought-to leave all his bright prospects
in life, and such wife, so soon. |
have not seen as fine woman-I dom
know when," lie went OIL, quite regard
less that his wife and daughter were
listening to him. II hope you viii
take some lessons from her, Rose. Hel
manners are perfect"
"Tliey are very good, papa. ".said Rose
with slight toss of her head; but u:
for their perfection, that's all matter
of taste, you know. Some people NIGH
think my manners perfect, aud then
should he sorry that l had changed
them for those of my sister-in. law
She is as pretty as she well can be, how
ever-don't you think so, mamma? Oh
if only had such complexion, anC
such q nose. and snch eyes, and, above
all, such figure, I should be happy
happier than ever shall be again alter
seeing them in the possession of another
woman a widow !"
"Widows are usually considered very
attractive" said Mrs. Inglesby, in hel
quiet way. II remember, when l wa:
young, used to he more afraid of them
than of girls, great deal. Alice is st
lovely, tool don't wonder poor Harry
used to rave about her. She won't be .
widow long-you may depend OH thai
Roee!"
1T don't concern me one way or an
other" said Rose, carelessly. I like
her very nuch-a great deal better THAI
I eXpected-and that is all. I believe
I'll go to bed. I'm little sleepy ant
tired, though haven't the excuse of q
journey, as Mrs. Inglesby had. Blythe:
way, I must make up my mind before
Tomorrow what shall call her. sis
ter is absurd, and I cant say Alice:
She Is far too grand should mucE
sooner think Of saying your majesty.'-
Goodnight, papa. 1 will practice man
ners, if you think need improvement
SO badly"
The spoiled child kissed her father
babe her mother good night, and wen
her way. up stairs. When she entered
her chamber, and closed the door, sht
walked straight to the toilet table, turn
ed up both jets Of thegas, and looked a
herself from head to foot in the large
swinging mirror. This careful surve,
lasted about ten minutes, then satisfied
smile came over her face, and she nod
ded complacently to the reflection smi
ling back at her. "You .dont lose 81
much by the comparison, after all \" sh'
said. land KennOn admires little wO
men-he told me so himself"
fro BE CONTINUED.
Laws of South Carolina