Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1872-03-21
LADY KATl.'s BOWER.
BY MYR0NE WILLARD.

Come, Myra, let's take a last peep at
Lady Hates bower" said Aunle Harlow
throwing her arm about the waist Of her
friend, NJ yra Newbert.
"Oh, yes. Tomorrow we start for
home. We've been very happy here,
haveu't we, Annie? Lets see; we came
here the first of july, and now its the
last OF September.''
Aad thus chatteriug gaily together, the
friends walked slowly along the path now
carpe,ed with crlmsone5 leaves, which
had fallen from the over-arch ing trees on
either side Of the avenue leading fom the
house.
They had been visiting their friend,
Kate Cleveland. at her home. Chestnut
Vale A few years before, the three
young ladies had been friends and com
panious at a celebrated school in New
Eng land. Al hat time they were cIil-
d rem Of wealthy parents; but misfortune
had come to the homes Of hiyra aud An
ME, and Myra was now using Der talent
as an artist. which in former times she
had cultivated as a pleasure aud plstiEe,
to gain for herself and invalid mother a
livelihood. Annie Harlow was an or
plan, and, like Myra had learned the
great lesson of self dependence.
Kate Cleveland was an aeiress: and
still cherishing a warm regard tor her
trebis, Sue would take no re fusa to her
urgent invitation TO spend the season
with her; aud it was near the close of
this visit that our story fluids 'hem
"Annie." said Mgra, Il tn ink Inever
saw more beautiful scele than this
which lies before us"
As she points out the beauties of the
surrounding landscape, and converses of
them with her appreeiaive companion.
her large brown, eyes eli with pure aud
tender light, that reveal, plainly care
fpl investigation Of her inner soul
As they stand there together they form
beautiful picture. Myra is of medium
height; her elegantly shaped head is
graced with a coronet Of braiis Of her
beautiful brown hair. But in her eyes
lay the life of her beauty. Their co or
varied with her mood. Sometimes they
we're deep hazel, and when under ex-
element, they were nearly black. Her
checks aud lips showed the rich crimson
bloom OF health, and her general appear,
ance proved her to be refined and noble
woman.
Annie is petite in form. " i;h complex
ion as fair as the pure white rose Her
golden nair reaches to her slender waist
in mass Of sunlight and SHADE Her
eyes of heavenly blue. for which Circas-
sa's fair daughters are famed, are IA scd
to the lace of her companion. AS she
listened to her, her lips, which vie with
ruby, fall slightly apart, revealing row
OF pearls that any daughter Of Eve might
envy.
( In few moments they had reached
the place they had proposed to visit, and
which they had named for their friend
Lady Hates bowe,.2 It was roman
C pot. On one side it was sheltered br
rocky ledge, which was drafted with
iuxuriaut vines, the leaves of which were
of every color, and from the bright. glos
sv green to the rich crimson and gold
A few leaves had left the vines, aud tut
tered slowly to the ground, as if uuwil-
ling to leave their gay and ianeiul com
panlons. At the foot OF the ledge ran
tiny brook, Ike thread of silver, in and
tot the gay foliage which bordered its
edges. On the right and left side of tie
bower were magnificent trees, so trained
that their boughs iulerliced, forming an
arch, through which the September sun
sIrcamed in mellow radience, reveal ny
The otherwise hidden beauties OF the ia
vored nook There were two paths lead
ing to the bower, aud they ran in such
opposite directions that they were entire
ly hidden from each other.
AS tie young ladies' entered the place
III which they had spent SO many happy
hours, and which was ialiowed to one as
the bappiest spot on earth, Myra drew
Annie down upon tie messy Seat, say
ing:
Annie dear, I've something to tell
you. Do you know Annie why | love
this beautiful bower SO veil? Adorned
as it is by the lavish hand Of nature ana
art, were it as bleak and drear as the
wild lands OF Russia, lit would be the
dearest spot on earth 10 me-