The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1875-05-27

This is ny only valuable acquisition this morn
III can't say / think it beautiful" said Bessi,
but it is curious, and am interested in sue
Il should take great delight then in showing 70
my cabinet. l have great many specimens ,
birds and insects. They are in Boston, however,
. are on our hurs way to Boston now How Ion
Indeed, Mrs. Campton, I scarcely know. I g
and come at my own sweet will These old hill
are very attractive to me- and,'' he added sadl,
ny c, Snow nave no one to care whether
NOW, Gregory, don't be so absurd. You kno,
we are al anxious to keep you and you repay on
anecuon by making hermit Of yourself: Prom
intend to bring Bessie out and shall certainl
ce%Pt sa; .
stances, Miss Campton would suffer sadly. How
| ever, you shall see me as soon as l return, an
swered Marshall.
Marion, Bessie, it is near sunset and we mus
60, Gregory. you know my home in the villag
Will be only too glad to receive YOU" remarke
| Mrs Mendon.
II was not at all aware Of Your living away NJ
here. or should certainly have found your fresid
before this"
"Adieu, Gregory" said Mrs. Campton "Remem
| Der your promise. We shall expect you soon.''
| Gregory Marshall bowed low over the three
dainty hands and watched their owners GRACEFUL.
fitting down the grassy path until all vestige o
their draperies had vanished.
bronzed by the exposure to burning suns, yol
would scarcely have called the man handsome We
there was something in the broad shoulders, cree
carriage and flashing dark eye that impressed yor
with convincing sense of strength and manli
ness. Of vigor of body and mind alike.
Quietly sitting with clasped hands, he gazed fa1
away into nOthingness.
The sun set: the glamor of twilight fell upon
the hlllslde the quiet stars came out in the even
ing sky before Gregory Marshall remembered him
sell Then, quickly, gathering up his boxes, he
nervous, fearless tread descended to the village
On their way home Bessie learned that the new
acquaintance was really the naturalist of whom
Gated, entirely alone in the world he was absorbed
IN his favorite pursuits. The sisters had many
anecdotes to relate of his school days. From child
nOod he had seemed to possess some magic charm
over every bird, beast and reptile he met. He had
finished his education in Europe and upon his re-
turn two years since he had entirely devoted him
self to his studies. At the present he occupied a
prominent position in the educational world
The morrow dawned bright and clear and the
travellers babe regretful adieu to Mrs Mendon and
the everlasting hills They arrived in Boston
latei the evening and were rapturously greeted
by phi Campton.
Well Marion amt worn to skeleton!' he
cried shaking his substantial body with laughter.
"Ain't l just been pining away? And Bessie,
you are handsome enough to eat. I'm blest if you
won't take all Marions exquisites by storm. Well.
we Will see If we can't give you gay winter little
Mrs. Campton had gathered fresh strength during
her summer sojourn and returned to the city pre-
pared to indulge to the fullest extent in the gay
dlsslpatlOns Of pleasure and fashion.
Soon they were in whirl of enjoyment. Balls.
operas, concerts, calls and drives occupied their
time. and ere long Bessies claims to beleship We're
everywhere acknowledged.
One evening. some weeks after Bessle's intro
duction to the beau monde. Mr.. Campton's elegant
apartments We're comfortably filled with the elite
o. the city f among all the lovely
more admiration than the village maiden. Her
dress of pale rose cOOred satin set off her rich COM
plexion and sparkling brown eyes to the greatest
advantage, while the flmy Overdress of softest
lace toned the dazzling effect, and with the costly
pearls twined Though her long. flashing curls
made Bessie Campton perfect vision of lowell
ness.
Surrounded by a group of admirers, young and
Old; ATTRACTED by her simple, unaffected manner
and childish enjoyment of the scene she was sud
denly made aware, by some subtle attraction. of
the penetrating gaze of pair of dark eyes, and
lifting her own, beheld Gregory Marshall beside
her.
Why did she trembe? Why did her voice sud
denly fail her?
Are you glad to see ME. Miss Campton:' he
inquired in that deep quiet tone, as he casped her
-, Il am, indeed Have you only returned from
the mOuntains!''
-! am only visitor now. I came down on some
business and true to my promise to Mrs. Campton
though. from appearances, that you scarcely need
my knighty attentions
All, Gregory at that moment cried Mrs. Camp
ton. advancing in the midst Of floating silk and
greeting him warmly. The evening passed as a
dream to happy little Bessie. with the courtly
stranger almost constantly at her side
The next morning as the two ladies were languid-
ly breakfastng. hours after the usual family meal
at Campton Holm,' the morning letters were
brought to them Bessie immediately recognized
an unfamiliar handwriting upon one Of her envel-
hn road fhcafn
ing:
Miss CANpToN-Remembering your expressed
desire to examine my cabinets. shall take great
pleasure in showing them to yourself and sister.
evenings pleasure shall do myself the honor of
calling upon you this afternoon at three and, if con-
'en' earv CONDUCTING raIhactiy you to my home.
Your obedient servant.
GREGORY MARSHALL"
A glow of surprise and pleasure overspread
Bessies face as she passed the note to Mrs. Camp
ton.
Really. now," exclaimed that clever lady. this
ls something wonderful am dreadfully afraid of
his snakes and bugs; but am dying with curiosity
to see the interior of that elegant mansion don't
believe lady has crossed that threshold since the
death of his sister. six years ago. Old family
servants take care of the house, as Gregory is at
home SO seldom
Three O'Clock found Marshall at the door. and
the ladies were seated in the elegant barouche
and rapidly driven to his stately mansion.
declare, Gregory. it is too bad to have this
place closed. 1t ought to have MISTRESS cried
merry, Mrs Campton as they entered the wide,
arched hall, followed their host across the bcauti
ful tasseated floor; by the stately drawing rooms
fear shall have to make some apology for
my bachelor household arrangements said Prof.
Marshall, inviting his guests to be seated and par
take Of some fine fruit and rare wine already
placed upon small curiOus y-wrOught Indian
table.
old Aunt Katy. my faithful housekecper is SO
little accustomed to my receiving lady visitors that
l. could scarcely prevail upon her to make any pro-
II don't wonder, Gregory when you allow her
such undisputed sway. Do tell this child, though,
portraits. know this one was Emilia said Mrs.
Campton, pointing to rich painting of beautiful
Yes. and this my mother. These three were
have all gone-left me alone. You know the sad
history of my family. Marion, Miss Campton. my
father and mother were lost at sea; two brothers
persisted in the Alps. on an exploring expedition.
The remaining one died. l believe, of grief.
Then Emilia and were left but six years ago
took her from me, and her grave is in
a foreign land
Tears filed Bessie's eyes as she noticed the
quivering about the strong mans tones as he
spoke of his loved and lost. but he quickly recov
he called it.
They could not avoid noticing the exquisite Or
der IN the management of every detail, and their
much increased as he proved his thorough knowl-
edge of his subjects. The habits, structure and
entire life of the hundreds of specimens Of birds.
reptiles and insects arranged in the beautiful crys
tai cabinets seemed as familiar to him as did his
own.
With her great though uncultivated love for ma
ture Bessie thoroughly enjoyed each one of the
specimens, while her volatile sister expressed only
disgust.
Now. Mrs. Campton." said Marshall, II am
confident can get you to admire my birds. Did
you ever see anything more gorgeously beautiful
than this emerald bird of paradisel It's plumage
seems to glow with Respondent luster. l myself
shot it one morning before dawn, in the isle of
New Guinea. Here. Miss Campton, you recognize
this little creature, do you not:'' continued Mar
shall, lifting brilliantly colored bird from the
case.
oh! bob-o-link, a bob o-link. How lovely
cried Bessie rapturOusly.
Even Mrs. Campton was interested in the gorgeous
plumage of the tropical birds, and an hour passed
pleasantly by, Marshall explaining the habits of
the various specimens and often growing eloquent
over their projections.
Bessie listened almost fascinated. His glowing
words opened new avenues Of thought in her mind.
Here were the same little birds which daily flew
under her windows. the gentle dove, the robin and
the wren; here were the busy bees and household
flies and the beetles to whose drowsy drone she
had often listed. Had she ever thought of their
wonderful 1ivesp Had Sha ovaroD torad no