The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1877-11-14
NYMPHEa's BRAVERY.

The Manse rose a huge pile Ci
gray granite, with outlines softened
by the gathering darkness. About
its clumps OF foliage threw denser
gloom, or wbite-rock work thrown ar
tistically up cleaned ghostly be-
tween tendrils OF creeping vines.
Marble statues, and great vases over
flowing with rare exoties, were scat
tered through the grounds, and q
fountain where Niobe shed continu.
Gus streams of tears sent the sooth-
ing sound Of its flowing waters out
upon the air of the summer night.
One by one the windows of the
great house was filed with lurid
glow, until it seemed like monster
Argus-eyed, awakened from q slum.
Der, and peering into outer darkness
through its manifold firery orbs. The
shadows scurried away before the
streams of light, or clung TREMENDOUSLY
about the skirts of the mother-ob-
jec.s which firmly stood their ground
The drive, stretching its white peb-
5led length in tortuous curves and
twists, began to be dotted with in
coming vehicles, and the rooms with
in gradually filed with alighting oc-
cupants
1t was Nympbea's birth-night, and
to be celebrated as became the natal
anniversary of Estabroke's only
daughter But, then, Estabroke was
peculiar, and by no means permitted
social custom to override his sense of
comfort or aristocratically exclusive
propensities. So this feie resolved
itself into an informal and scattering
gathering, rather than the crush of
two where there is room for only
one, and the glare and heat so pre-
dominant al such festivities.
The line of carriages We're full, and
the last of the guests sojourned at
the Manse had noated down the
stairway in clouds of gauze or tulle,
or descended, with more apparent
pedestrious motion, his potent leath-
er and sable broadcloth, relieved by
the usual array of snowy kids and
waistcoat.
Gale, coming in through the wide
entrance way, sauntered slowly by
the groop clustered in the hall, ex-
changing salutations as she went.
Uncrowded as it was, some one
came in his way, and that some one
proved to be Rube Holstein. Gale
favored him with a malignant glance,
but spoke casually as be passed. Ev-
idently there was no kindly feeling
wasted between the two.
Gale would rather have encounter
ed any one else at that moment. The
fact that Holsiein was preferred be-
fore him was bitter pill, but one
which policy induced him to swal-
low with a smiling face. Esiabroke
held Ruben in high favor, and had
enstalled him for an indefinite peri
cd at the Manse; while Gale, after
angling in vain for similar invita-
tioD, made the most of such circum-
stances as be could command, by
taking lodging at the hotel. which
already contained maEy of the Es-
tabroke set. OF course be came in
for a share of the common courtesy
shown by these, and while be chat
ed at his tolerance, yet grasped ea-
gerly at the advantage it gave
him.
He caught sight of Nympbes q mo-
ment after, and turned that way, &
chord Of qualification thrilling as be
saw that she observed his approach.
He went lingeringly, surveying her
critically, as though she had been a
work of art, instead of Natures won-
derous masterpiece. But Nymphea
could well endure the scrutiny.
She was robed in green satin, the
sheen of which, softened by snowy
lace, reminded him of the foam-cap-
ped sea-waves glinting in waves of
down-pouring light. Her hair, taw-
ny and floating, was bound by vel
vet fllett, studded with single pearl.
Pearls upon her arms and neck
cleaned beneath their lacy covering.
Nymphes, dazzling. be thought, as be
approached her-perfect. peerless, be
told himself, when she softened the
stereotyped phrase into unmistakably
glad greeting.
He gave way, but did not retire,
as q last conner paid deroir to her,
and turned to the elderly lady who
bad been her support. Then Nymph-
ca gave q sigh OF relief Free at
last !" she said.
Gale offered bis arm. and they
moved away with the floating bu-
man tide. Borne by this. they drift