The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1872-08-16

swelling heart, that the young Eng
lish lady instinctly threw her arm
around her own mother and cluBg
to her as if the bare thought of a
possible separation had affrighted
her. The elder lady turned upon
her and smiled a sweet reassudng
smile; and Isabel loved them both.
y basis of negotiation was soon
agreed upon.
Papa viii do anything we like, :"
said Miss Alsager.
" And I have only myself to
please" said Isabel with a sigh.
As the house would need some
new decorations to suit the taste of
the coming owners, Miss Germaine
earnestly recommended Mr.. Rowan,
and mentioned his long connection
with the family. Mrs. Alsager was
only too glad to have the trouble
taken off her hands; and Isabel ven
tured to make an appointment for
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. Alsager and her
daughter Alice were at the place.
They were shown into a room in
which they could hear the notes Of
a piano. It was a large, low-roof-
ed room, with folding doors that
stood partly open. The autumn
sun shone upon the room where the
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, and
that a handsome young man with
dark curling hair stood beside her.
She was playing some sad, sweet air
some air that spoke vaguely yet
with penetrating conviction, Of sep
aration and farewell.
In moment Isabel arose and adj
vanced to meet the visitors, yet not
so quickly but that the mother and
daugter had exchanged speaking
glances. They thought they could
understand that scene.
Miss Germaine did not show the
slightest embarrassment. Mr..
Rowan has eome," she said. Il
have been trying to amusc him :"
and she smiled rather a weary
smile.
"Mr. Rowan" repeated Mrs.
Alsager, in tone of surprise; and
she looked around for the elderly
builder.
Not MIR. Rowan, the father"
said Isabel, but the son :" and she
formally presented the young man
to the two ladies, who, fresh from
England, bowed rather ooldly to
him.
My father says he begins to dis
trust his own Judgment in modern
household affairs" )" said young Row
an, and he always insists on one
of us taking his place when any
thing new has to be looked after. /
don't agree with him. I only wish
1 had as good an artistic judgment
even by training as he seems to have
by instinct. But he will have it so,
and so 1 have taken the liberty to
come to- day instead of him. Ifyou
will allow me to show YOU over the
house, Mrs. Alsager, l shall be hap
ply to take your instructions, and TO
offer any suggestion-with your
leave that may occur to me-"
His manner was as cool and easy
as though he were a gentleman OF
fortune showing his new house to
two or three friends; yet in all the
business details of the inspection he
daported himself simply as the skill
led artisan taking orders and giving
experienced suggestions. Mrs. Al
sager disliked him at the first, mere
! " because she was a little shocked
to see a young lady on such familiar
terms with a house-builder's son,
But his manner was very good
neither constrained nor in the least
degree intrusive-his taste and judg-
ment seemed perfect, and he was
certainly very handsome.
When young Rowan was taking
his leave Isabel shook hands with
him in the warmest manner, anC
said in a low tone:
" I shall see you again-to-mor-
row p
Every day." he answered, al
you will allow me, until-until you
60"
The words were spoken by botf
in low tone, but without the leas
attempt at secrecy. Mrs. Alsagel
and her daughter exchanged light
ming glances of wonder.
Mamma, how strange :" Mis-
Alice exclaimed, when the two were
in the carriage together. 1 do be
lieve that she is ia love with him
the son of a builder, or gas-ftter
or something"
=" My dear, I almost think she is
What an odd country ~
" She seems a perfect lady"
-" She is perfect lady. I an
told there is no better family her
than hers. And I never met ;
more agreeably and lady-likc gir
| in my life"
Nor /. l like her immensely
But how can she go on so witt
him. Isn't he a very handsom