The Beaufort tribune and Port Royal commercial. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1877-1879, 1877-05-17
TRUE TO HER WORD.

Leonora Lonsdale's most partial friend
could not call her pretty. Her most Impair
tial enemies---being possessed Of much clev-
erness, strength Of character, and hatred OF
shams it followed, she had few---declared
her ugly.
For the benefit of those who have never
seen the young lady, and consequently be-
long to neither one side nor the other, will
describe her--beginning with the most
prominent feature of the human face.
Nose of no particular order, neither aqui-
line, straight, pug, turned-up nor turned
down, but original and independent, and
apparently in the right place; eyes brown
with CLINT of topaz---a slight cast in the
left one pronounced by the friendly be-
witchingly cunning and by the inimical
decidedly impish; mouth neither large
nor small, with full, red lips closing firmly
over two rows Of strong, white teeth; COM
plexion neither blonde nor brunette, but
Clear and rosy and her own, and chin that
only escaped being masculine by having a
dimple in it.
Her head, heavy with a quantity o!
straight, black hair, was we'll shaped
enough, and we'll set upon a slender neck,
that was again we'll set upon her sufficiently
broad shoulders; her hands were small, but
the fingers did not taper; she was FIVE feet
six inches in height, and looked as though
she might be taller if she chose; had a clear,
ringing laugh, musical chest-voice, a
graceful walk had opinions OF her own,
and whistled like bird.
fkofa hor nf
beauty--her many defects, might say-,-
ness to die for Leonora at need, and more
who had declared themselves perfectly will
ing to live for her.
There was a wonderful atmosphere of
freedom, of purity, OF bravery about her.
And Leonora was worker. Much as
she despised shams and hypocrisies she ae
spised idleness.
Day dreaming! l don't believe in it,
she would say. DO your dreaming at
night and work during the day. and while
she talked, in bright, cheerful way, each
word clear and distinct, she busi.y piled
her needle making little dresses and jackets
and aprons. For whom% 'Oh, for some
poor children around the corner. / had
nothing else to do
1t was while thus occupied one afternoon
early in September, seated on the old-fash-
ioned porch, shaded by heavy grapevine,
that Clifford Cameron sauDtered in and
threw himself in an easy chair beside her.
Cliff mad been a chum of Harry Ions
dale's since early boyhood, and for just that
period had alternately tried to teaze and
make love to Harry Lonsdale's sister.
IL mn, o. rnod l0nEipn swoot fomparad
generous, lazy young fellow, with no end OF
money. Grandfather had died and left him
money---father had died and left him money
---uncle had died and left him money, and
lately old great-aunt, whom he had never
seen, had departed this life, away off in
some obscure corner of the globe, and left
him more money. He had very fair hair
and big, very blue eyes, beautiful hands
and feet, was rather stout than slender,
short than tall---was one of those infatuated
men who thought the slight cast in Leo
nora's left eye perfectly charming, and who
had said they would die Of Joy if she'd only
graciously permit them to devote the re-
maiuder Of their lives to her.
Well, Bee,' said he, taking up a small
apron and leisurely surveying it.
Well, Butterfly was the reply, what
brings you back from Newport so soon!'
You
'Oh! you've come here to talk nonsense
again. says the young lady, holding another
small apron before her, her head on one
side like birds, as she ponders on the ef
feet of bow of green ribbon she has sewn
on the pocket.
Right, as you always are, my darling
Pm not your darling, and I'll take that
apron if you're quite done with it.
Deuce take the apron, say |. Stop sew
ing beg of you, Leo---it makes me quite
tired to look at yeu.'
'Clifsrdp
Leonorap
Aren't you ashamed of yourself%
Don't think / am. Ought l to be?'
With decision You should. Were a
young man in good health, not manned or
ciippled---blessed with the average quantity
and quality of brains -
'Thanks.'
'Id do something besides lounging at wa
tering places in the summer, and club
houses in the understanding in the
shape of work--yes, if five hundred uncles,
and grandfathers, and aunts -
Couldn't any way in the world, thank
Heaven. my dear girl, have so many rela-
tons
Left me FIVE hundred fortunes. And ii
i fell in love with a girl, I'd prove to her
before 1 proposed marriage, that ], my
self
Myself! Behold me!' quoted Cliff.
Gould, if an emergency arose, and life
is full Of them, support her, and that was
not entirely dependent upon the income
flowing in from the Golfers filled by my an
cestors.'
Bravo! Leol You're splendid fellow
That last remark about the cofins of my
ancestors was extremely fine. I'd like to
have any one, in the glow of my present ad-
miration for you, dare to hint that you were
the tiniest speck cross-eyed. He or she'd
repent il. haste. But, most admirable Of
your sex, what would you do If you were a
male fellow, so unfortunate as to know
nothing useful, and wanted to propose to
the g,rl you loved and all the rest Of it?