Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1873-12-18
The dresses in my trunk were suAi-

4 t1Ol tucts '' - - = ~ AAo. -
ing i made beautiful toilet, but
neither Mr.. nor Mrs. Lacelles called.
Just at lamp-lighting 1 heard a little
stir and hustle on the stairs, a rip
ping laugh, the rustling of silk robes,
and, leaning I'll her i;.iher's arm,
MISS Laceiles entered. She wss bean,
tifnl, tall, pale and l:uly like, remind
ing yos of Il fair white lilly Ne
soon struck up II Friendships girls
friendship, | mean
Some one has said lllat there is no
friendship between the sexes, and
some one is mistaken; for think the
world holds no safer friend fora wo-
man than an honorable man. \ wo-
mans friendship is very likely to be
the result Of convenience, contiguity
or of being, as my father sneeringly
remarked. "the only Christians with.
in hail of each other. Mary showed
me all Ler secrets, and | returned the
compliment, mindful of Burns ad
vice to still keep something to my
self I wad not tell TO ony."
| Life settled down into an uncXclt-
ing but endurable routine. Mary and
I visited each other, for l had invited
her to pass the cold weather with Inc
in New York. One day in the mid
die of one Of these pleasant chats, 1t
servant came in and handed me y
card. The name on it aroused all the
Fantagonism in my nature. 1t was
"Geofrey Gardner"
Now it so happened that the exist
ence Of this gentleman was the thing
I kept back in my confidence with
Mary. So I had now to explain who
and what he WAS. l wanted her to
come into the parlor With me-but
no, she would go home first and dress;
but she promised to be back to tea.
1 disliked Geoffrey, yet l was glad
to see bin. My mental faculties were
rustirg for want Of attention. Father
would not quarrel with me, and Ma.
ry WAS my only face card. | could
not throw her away. Besides, l
r..ther liked t" see his great hand
some figure in the room; he was SO
full Of life that he seemed to vitalize
the chairs and stools; they tumbled
about and got out of the way in the
strangest manner. l told him about
M rry Lacelles, and warned him that
he would lose his heart. He gravely
told me that he had none to lose.
We waited tea for Mary, but she
did not come till quite DIRK, and we
had begun tea She said she had
been detained by company, but I
knew better than that. She was
dressed with reference to candle-light
effect, and would not lose its inAu
ence on her first appearance. never
saw her look so lovely-her rose-col-
ored dress. with it's broad simmer
ing bands of white silk, enhanced
her charms. Geoffrey looked delight
el, and she gave him the benefit
Of both her upward and downward
glances.
When tea WAS over 7 left the room
for "a few moments. and when | came
back l found Geoffrey and Mary sit
ting opposite each other, with the
chess boasd between them, as an ex-
cuse for hrtAtions. The move had
been SO rapid that had been aston
ished, and u little angry too; and
father did not improve the matter by
whispering. as | passed his chair:
..CheckTnated. Olive"
1t was a pleasant evening to me,
and it was the beginning Of my un-
pleasantness.
":How it came let the doctors tell"
but l began to like Geoffrey just as
soon as he began to like Mary. 1
called up pride to the rescue, but it
did not help me much, and l suffered
much in watching Geofrey's atten-
ton to Mary, and listening to her
prattles about him. l thought her
so supremely silly, an I told her so.
She was astonished at my petulance,
but I don't think she suspected the
truth. Only father did that. and lie
looked so served you right, Miss"
that longed for him to be a woman
for an hour or so that I might talk
back to him.
One day, after Geofry had been
month with us, riding party was
proposed to the top of the mountain
Geoffry and Mary, father and that
would be the order of cour: e, and |
was prepared for that; but there is a
last straw to every burden, and my |
last straw was this incident: "They |
were mounted and waiting for me!a
when Mary dropped her gauntlet. !
From my window I saw Geoffry pick
it up, put it upon the hand laid so
confidently in his, then kiss it. After
thst I was not going to ride for liking
nor kaiser | sent positive refusal
10 all entreaties, and as soon as they
were out OF sight indulged in a good
refreshing cry. cried myself to
sleep, and awoke about dusk with
new born purpose in my mind, which
comforted me wonderfully, the key
note to which was. she stoops to
Yet did not dress again;
[ knew they were at tea at Mr.. La
celles. so threw my dressing gown
around me. and taking Red as a
Rose is She in my hand, I ordered a
cup Of strong tea, and wen. into the
sitting room. As walked IN at one
door, Geotfry walked in at the other.
:" l came to take you to Mr.. La
celles, Olive" he said.
Z" How do you propose doing it, sir?
For unless you bind me hand and
foot, and get'a couple of darkies 10
tote Inc there, l really don't think
you will succeed"
Il could carry you myself"