The St. Cloud journal. [volume] (St. Cloud, Minn.) 1866-1876, 1874-10-22

day, she has since found. The richly.
carved mahogany furniture was dis
posed for comfort and convenience,
somewhat oddly, perhaps; the thick
curtains and carpets kept out the
cold, the abundant plate and old
painted china had no. recognized val
ue in point of ostentstion, but at all
times adorned the table with its sober
glitter.
And Lettice soon found her employ.
meut- Mrs. Margaret was not exact,
ing: Such portions Of the mornings
as she spent at home were. passed in
the library, where Lettice often read
aloud, 3 new book, sometimes, but
more frequently selections from the
English classics. Several hours be.
fore. dinner were. occupied by plain
sewing, and the evening was enliven:
ed with music, which Mrs. Margaret
greatly admired. All this was pleas.
ant to Lettice, who loved books, he,
old songs, and the routine of quiet in.
dustry.
There was but little variety in the
household, and no company, if I ex.
cept the regular visits Of Mrs. Mar.
garet's nephew. and foster7son, who
was reckoned at home with US, al
though, to meet with more facility
his engagements of business. he lived
elsewhere. He always ,dined with us
on Sundays, and took tea in our large
and stately parlor once or twice a
week besides. MIR. Herbert Eldred,
a very handsome gentleman, not
quite thirty years of age, waswell edu-
Gated and sensible. Mrs. Margaret
said that he was prosperous,in his af
fairs, and that he possessed consider
alton and accomplis shments that OBJ
tained for him q. good reception in
tds tbs be bsst sesistZi Bs BIT Qualities. H;s
visits were: the events. and epochs Of
the week, both because of his own
vigorous, inspiriting presence, and
that he brought with him new peri
odicals, or music, or a popular book
in short, something always that infus-
ed a freer, fresher element into our
life, that otherwise might have become
somewhat stagnant and morbid. He
had a pleasant, cultivated voice, which
be was fond Of exercising, partly since
it gratifed Mrs. Margaret; so it hap
pened that our concerts, as we called
our enjoyable rehearsals, came to be
an understood thing, and always fol-
lowed the removal of the tea-table.
We sang until Mrs. Margaret fell
asleep, when Mr.. Eldred would ask
me to play something soft and low, ii
I pleased, just to. keep up the sooth-
ing:sound ofthe instrument, when he
would read or more frequently write
letters, until the dear old lady awoke
with many apologies, which made. us
all laugh rs she had to repeat them
90 often,
After: . few months of this sort o1
living, Mrs. Margaret afforded us q
change: by dispensing with her even
ing nap. She seemed q little anxious
and restless, and an indefnable some
thing in her manner diffused a feel
ing ofconstraint upon our trio. This
was especially 80 whenever Herber
brought me-, music. or noticed M
more than usual. or if I said grea
deal to: him. in = familiar way, which
our long acquaintance and his kind
ness seemed to authorize. This vague
pressure upon our movements wa
rather matter Of feeling than ex
PLANTATION. I had an instructive sens
of it's locality. and soon learned t.
! prevent the causes of arrangement
50 that we were very happy, only Mrs
Margaret did not appear inclined t.
| sleep while Herbert remained.
One evening Mr.. Eldred spoiled
every thing by bringing set of je
| ornaments, which he presented to me
They were very beautiful, and Mrs
Margaret had said only two evening
before that she wished me to hav'
them; but she was much displeaset
to see them coming in the: way the.
did, so that I could not tell whethe
I ought to accept them or not, ant
! was greatly embarrassed, and doubt
less looked very foolish. Mrs. Mar
garet was then more kind, and tolt
me to receive them. from her, an.
that Herbert had only anticipated
her orders ittle-she should hav
i given him special directions abou
i them in q day or two. Mr.. Eldre'
insisted upon slipping the bracelet
over my: hand, and as he did s.
said something complimentary abou
contrasted colors and the like where
upon Mrs. Margaret rang the bell er
ergetically to order the tea brough
in. When it was over, she suddenl
recollected that she had omitted senc
ing some promised jellies to sic
woman, who lived in narrow lar
not far from our house and she CAV
me directions for making up bask.
. Of nice things, and finally begged n
i to 60 with the servant to see if the il
valid required more substantial atte1