The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1877-01-25
MIIiIIE'S FAULT.
.l,,i.. BY H. A. DAVENPORT.

N1ulll1 ~ (! AOu1s ai
BY H. A. DAVENPORT.
Mile Mapleton sat in an easy chair
byian open window of the sitting room,
her head leaned against the chair back,
her feet resting on an: ottoman the white
hands were clasped loosely over the sew
ing in her lap, the dark grey eyes had q
dreamy, unseeing look, and an uncon-
scious smile was havoring upon her sweet
mouth.
She made pretty picture, that sum-
mer 'afternoon,t yet she was even then
yielding to heribesettng sin Of idleness.
Perhaps that is too general term-her
fault was Just this, she spent hours of
precious time in day dreaming; she built
beautiful air castles, where she dwelt with
those she loved; she dreamed luxurious
dreams that fascinated her like some
written romance; she followed for hours
the!leadings of her Imagination in stories
that were, according to her mood, excit,
ing, sweet, or sorrowful; and while these
dreams seemed to carry her into a differ
ent atmosphere, full Of intoxicating de-
Nights, her daily duties were often left;
undone, and the burdens ofthe-house
fell the more heavily on her mothef;who
vas already overworked; for she was. a
widow and poor; her only child besides
Mile helpless crippled boy, of twelve
years, and IN the family also were old
Mr.. and Mrs. Aiken, distant relatives,
Who, though. they added very much to
the small income by the; liberal price
they paid for board, were yet a great
Sddiioff TO Mrs. Mapietons care and
labor: Millie loved her mother dearly,
and did not intend to neglect her share,
indeed, hardly realized that she did do
so;sher beautiful dreamland fascinated
anddrew her on almost as the sparkling
H'ine.cup te6ptss and lrres' on the poor
inebffate. q" ? 54n - - =
EuoSaef serious result was surely fol-
lowing this farflt of hers; she was losing.
the, poRefyoE controlling her thoughts,
and ofSdUiSgS VIGOROUS bfain work when
occasion reaaired.. In this also she did
not realize tie effect of her castle btfild:
ing. She had never comprehended, per-
haps never even thought about the weak Z
enfng Influence of an uncontrolled, un-
disciplined imagination. ~
But Miiliea certainly knew that she
ought to be busy, at work, at that mo-
ment; for on the next morning they ex-
pected her mothers brother, Prof. More
head and his wife, for visit Of a few
days, and this sewing her mother wished
to have finished before their arrival.
Somehow Mrs. Mapleton was always in
state of nervous anxiety before and dur
ing those visits, chiefly because Mrs.
Morehead was SO oppressively wealthy
and grand, and aristocratic, and had the
art. Of making people of limited means
and luxuries feel that she was extremely,
condescending to endure their moderate
accommodations. Partly, also, because
of the awe they all felt for Prof. More
head himself, for he was really great
man, q profound thinker, and one who
had a widespread fame as an author and
scientist,
Miles work came out as usual. 1t
was not done when night came, and so
Mrs. IMapleton sat up after bed time and
finished it, and the next morning the
spare chamber looked as faultless as she
could make it for Mrs. Prof. Moreheads
inspection.
But when the morning train came
rushing in, and they watched for their
guests, only the Professor came walking
up the village street. After their greet.
ings were over he explained that his wife
had gone to Saratoga with some friends
who were very anxious for their compa-
nv, and that he had persuaded her to go
alone with them and enjoy the summer
in the way he knew she would like best,
and let him spend the time in quiet rest.
He was weary, oyer-worked, and almost
sick. Would they not consent to take
him in for the summer, and let him ind
health and relaxation in their quiet home
and lovely peaceful village?
So it came to pass that the great pro-
fessor spent nearly three months with
them. A happy time it was, too, and
fraught with good results, especially to
Millie. She learned to love very dearly
the quiet, dign;fed gentleman, and al
though her reverence for him was, If
anything increased, it became before he
went away entirely free from that fear
with which we often regard great men.
She learned to know and understand him
as she had never done before, and when
a few years later the grand head was laid
low in the grave, she grieved and mourned
for him as for father.
The professor had been with them bat
few days, when one warm afternoon
found him seated, booN in hand, in the
shady sitting room, the coolest and COST
est room in the house. He occupied a
large, easy chair, and was apparently abb
sorbed in his reading. But for all that
his eyes occasionally wandered over to
Millie, by the open window, with her
sewing in her lap. She was in the same
mood as the first day we saw her-htful
spells of working, then the hands dropped
loosely in her lap, the dreamy smile came
over her mouth, and the far-of, yet eager
look, into her eyes.
Two or three times the professor
watched her. with an air of interest and
keen penetration. At last he said to this
maiden of sixteen: =
"Little girl, tell me where your
thoughts have been wandering? In
fairy land, think, by your eyes,"
But for answer Mile only looked
down, and smiled, and blushed rosily.
"Why not give me little clue to the
thoughts that were evidently so pleas
ant?o persisted he.
"May be I was in sort of fairy land"
she laughed. "Any how, in my land OF
dreams and 81 oEies, as mother calls il, l
expect it's very foolish, but then," with
smother little laugh, half brave, halt
bashful, "I save the money and time it
takes to buy and read books by imagln-
ing out my stories for myself"
But the professor did not laugh in re-
turn, instead, his face grew serious.
"My schild,p said he, taet me'talk to
YOU some about this vague castle build
ing, because | myself know Of it from from
experience when I was no older than
YOU. You are not saving time, for you
waste more than it would take to read
many valuable books; nor are you really
saving money, for, Millie, it is true, prac'