The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1876-11-08

She might have been old, or ugly, OF
deformed, for. anything cared, or, in
deed, that I knew about her. I had q
dim consciousness that she had a very
pleasant manner of speaking; but !
give you my word that, after she had
been half dozen times into my room, l
should not have known her if I had met
her in the streets I regarded her only
as ain appendage to the fair Julia. whose
image was ever before my eyes, shutting
out all else from my view.
This, however, did not last forever.
It happened one day that when Rachel
brought me parcel, lin my lover
like enthusiasm-started up from the
sofa, and incautiously planted my in
jured foot on the ground. The result
was a spasm of such acute pain that 1
fell back upon my couch with an in
voluntary cry, and face as colorless as
marble. Rachel imme iiately stepped
forward and, with cordial expression
of sympathy, asked if she could do any
thing for me, and proceeded, with a
light, gentle hand to arrange the pillows
under my crippled limb. I felt very
grateful for these ministrations, and as I
gave utterance to my gratitude, I looked
for the first time inquiringly into
Rachel's face.
I Thought that, altogether, she was a
very pretty girl, and, moreover, very
genteel one. observed now what 1
had never observed-indeed, had had
no opportunity of observing-that she
had charming little figure. Her shawl
had fallen off while she was arranging
my pillows, 80 that I could see her deli
cate waist and the graceful outline OF
her lightsome form. was interested
in her now for the first time and was
sorry when she took her departure, with
the expression of hope that I might not
suffer further inconvenience.
Ihoped that she would csgne again on
the following day, and was not disap-
pointed. She came with note and o
bouquet from Julia; but before deliver.
ing either she inquired after me with
what I thought-genuine concern. I
answered kindly and gratefully; and be-
fore opening her mistress note asked
her several questions, and drew her into
conversation. The more I saw of her the
better liked her. She was at first a
little reserved-perhaps embarrassed
but after few more visits this wore off,
and there was quiet self-possession
about her which pleased me nightly.
I could not get rid of the impression
that she was something better than her
social position seemed to indicate; at all
events, she was very much unlike all
the waiting maids I had ever seen. l
soon begun to delight in her visits. She
came almost every day with some letter
or message from her mistress. 1 looked
forward to the time of her coming, and
felt duller when she was gone. I
thought that it would be delightful to
have such handpaiden always about
me, to smooth my pillow and bring me
my meals, and talk to me when she had
nothing better to do.
Twas interested in Rachel, and enjoy
ed her visits but, believing still in
Julia Harper's fidelity, I was faithful to
the core myself. But circumstances soon
occurred which shook my faith, and then
my love begun to dwindle.
Rachel brought me note ona day,
and parcel containing pair of worst
ed work slippers, which her mistress
said she hoped would wear for her
sake until I was able to leave my room.
She did not actually say, but she i'm
FLIED that she had worked them for me
herself. When I said something to
Rachel about the time and trouble Miss
Harper-I never said "your mistress "
now-must have expended on them, I
observed very curious and significant
expression on the girls face. I had OBJ
served it once or twice before, when I
had said something indicative of my con-
6dence in Julia's sincerity. It was an
expression partly of pity-partiy of dis
gust; and seemed to be attended, for l
could see the compressure of her little
mouth, with painful effort to represD
the utterance of something that was
forcing its way to her lips. I was think
ing what this could mean, when piece
of folded paper fell from the parcel; I
picked it up, and found it was bill-a
bill for my slippers, which Miss Harper
had bought. I knew now the meaning
# the look. Rachel saw that I had got
a glimmering of the truth, and I thought
that she seemed more happy.
She had wished me "good morning" I"
and was about to depart, but told her
that I could not suffer her to go. 1t
was altogether deplorable day, what
We call in the log squally. There was
a great deal of wind-a great deal of
rain; and just at this moment the latter
was coming down in torrents. After
some persuasion she consented to re-
main. Then I asked her if she would
do something for me; and, with bright
smile, she answered eyes" / had
new silk neckcloth waiting on the table
to be hemmed. She took it up, and
then turning to me, asked naively how
she was to hem it without needle and
thread. To this question-for which
I was we'll prepared-I replied that in
the other table drawer she would find
something containing both. She
searched, and found very pretty Rus
sian leather case, silver mounted, with
I'll the appliances seamstress could de-
sire. Then I begged her acceptance of
it-said that I had ordered it to be made
On purpose for her use, and that should
be bitterly disappointed if she did not
accept of it. And she did accept it with
undisguised pleasure. And a very
pleasant thing it was to lie on the sofa,
and watch her neat little white hands
plying the needle in my behalf. ! had
been longing to see the hand without
the glove, and I was abundantly salts
fed when I saw it.
She had hemmed one side of the hand
kerchief, and we had conversed on
great variety of topics. when the weather
began to clear up, and the sun to shine
in at the windows. Rachel rose at
once to depart. I said that I was quite
sure it must be dreadfully wet under foot,
and that I was certain she was thinly
shod.
"Not very" she said.
But I insisted on satisfying myself,
and would not be content until she had
suffered to peep out beneath the hem of
her gown one of the neatest little patent
leather slippers I had ever seen in my
life. I said that they were very dainty
little things, but altogether fine weather
shoes, and not meant for wet decks.
But / remembered presently that l had
seen in her hand, when she entered the
room, pair of India rubber overshoes,
and reminded her Of them.
"They are my mistress" she said;
~ had been desired to fetch them from