The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1877-01-25
MILL[E'S FAULT.
BY r. a. DAVENPORT.

her feet resting on an ottoman the white
hands were clasped loosely over the sew
ing in her lap, tho dark grey eyes had a
dreamy, unseeing look, and an uncon-
scious smile was havoring upon her sweet
mouth.
She made q pretty picture, that SUM-
mcr afternoon; yet she. was even then
yielding to her ibesetting sin Of idleness.
Perhaps that is too general n tcrm-hcr
fault was just this, she spent hours of
prccioGs time in day dreaming; she built
beautiful mir castles, where she iwelt with
those she loved she, dreamed luxurious
dreams that fascinated her like some
written romance; she followed for hours
helead!ngs Of her imagination In stories
that were, according to her mood exct-
ing, sweet, or sorrowful and while these
dreams seemed to carry her into o differ
ent atmosphere, full of Intoxicating de-
lights. her daily duties were often lett
undone, and the burdens of the house
fell the more heavily on her mother, who
was alreRdy overworked; for she was
widow aud poor, her only child besides
Millie 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
addition 70 Mrs. Mapleton's care and
lnbor: Millie loved her mother dearly,
and did not intend TO neglect her share,
indeed, hardly realized chat she did do
So her beautiful dreamland fascinated
and drew her ON almost rs the sparkling
wine.cdP tenGpts and ltires' or tlio poor
AnoShsT serious pesnit was SURELY fol.
lowing tiiS fe9lt Of hers; she was losing
the poEeflpT CONTROLLING her thoughts,
and al, d0snS Vigorous bfaifi Work When
occasion required. In this also she did
.iot realize the effect of her castle bifild.
ing. She had never 'comprehended, per.
hspa meyer oven thought STOUT The, ,t7eak3
ening Influence of an uncontrolled, uu-
disciplined imagination. fF
Butt Milliei certainly knew that ahe
ought to be busy at work at that me-
ment; for on the next morning they ex.
pected her mnther's brother, Prof More.
head and his wife, for visit Of few
days, and this sewing he's mother wished
to have finished before their arrival.
Somehow Mrs. Misp!eton was always in o
state of nervous anxiety before and dur
ing those visits, chiefly because Mrs.
Morehead was SO oppressively wealthy
and grand, 3nd aristocratic, and had the
aEt. Gf milking pspIpie OF limited nieaiIs
and luxrries feel taat abe was extremely
condescending to endure their moderate
accommodations. Partly, also, because
of the awe they all felt for Prof. Mere
head himself, for he was really q great
man, profound thinker, and one who
had G widespread fame % an author and
scientist, =
Miles work came ont as usual. It
was not done when night came, and 30
Mrs. jMeplet1n sat up after bed time and
finished 1t, and the next morning the
spare chamber looked % faultless as abe
could mako it for Mrs. Prof. Moreheads.
inspection. .i
6nI when the morning train came
rushing in, and they watched for their
guests, 0Tiiy sise Pr; :SssS. came Walking
up the village street. Aftar their greet
ings were over he explained that his wife
had gone to Saratoga with some friends
who were very Rnyious for their eompa-
ny, and tkas he bed pergsiass ID liier to go
alone with them and enjoy the summer
In the way he knew abe would like best,
and let him spend the time In quiat rest.
He was weary, over-worked, aud almost
sick. Would they not consent to take
him In for the summer, and let him find
health and relaxation in their quiet home
and lovely peaceful village9
So it oamie 20 pass that the gree. Pre-
fessor spent nearly three months with
them. A happy time il. was, too, and
fraught with good results, especially to
Miiiie. SSh5 learned TO love vssy dearly
the, quiet. dignifed gentleman, and al.
though her reverence for him sas, il
linn inn L. D. 1.
went away entirely free from that fear
She learned to know ard understand him
as she had never done before, and when
c few years lstes the grand head was laid
low In the grave, shegrieyed and mourned
for him as for q father. s;n. :.
The professor had been with them bat
few days, when one warm afernoon
found him seated, boo. in hand, in the
shadysittiRg lrooms tho coolest and Gosi-
est room In the Bouse. aHe occupied o
larges easy chair, and was appafentlyab-
sorbedi in his reading. But for ali thaS9
his eyes occasionally wandered over To-
Millie. by ths open window. eith her
sewing in her lap. She gss in the same
mood az the first day We saw het--fs siil
spells of working, then tho hands dropped
loosely in her lap, the dreamy smile came
over hermouth, aud the far-ofEr, yet eager
look, into her eyfEs. E; .t55, ~!
Two or three times the professor
watched her with AN cir of Interest and
keen penetration. At last he said to this
maiden Of sixteen:
Little, girl, tell me where yonf
thoughts have been wandering In
fairy land, I think: by year eyes,
8 But for answer bIillie only looked
down. end smiled, and blhshed roSiiy.
stl by not give, me q little clue 20 The
thoughts that were evidently 80 pleas
ant ?o persisted he.
tslfsy be ssess in q sort ef taiRy land"
abe laughed. "Any how, in my land OF
dteafa Stories, Is ssnotheg calis At, I
expect iss very foolish, but then With
andthes little laugh, half bravo, half
hasafnl, 81 ssye the Iionoy. aud time It
takes to buy NEd read boola by iEnagip-
Ing out my stories for. .nayselss.i "A. 1TS.j
But the professor did not ihnsh in sae
turn, irstcsf hia face aexions.
tssSSsiq lid b2. s. talk 10
you some aboHs fhi yagtle cassie build
ing, because AZ TusGels Know. Of is from
expeEiisz.sA q 4 he.a 4 was no older tlsan
you. og are not eayiBg tisle, Eor you
waste mote than ik would take to 5esd
1lj