The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1878-08-24
WHEN AUTUMN CAME.

A SOFT half light fell from the tall
candles in the sconces ON the tapestried
wall.
BY an open window might be seen a
girlish figure. Not leaning against the
easement for support for a weary body
which inclosed wearier heart, but
erect and firm the graceful form stood,
framed by soft falling curtains, and
dim greys beyond where moonlight
kissed with mysterious touch the skies
and fields.
The maiden turned slowly around as
she heard step in the room, facing a
gentleman guest whom she had not met
before.
For few second the two stood in ST.
lence.
The girls face was calm one al
ways. Lasting faith and trust shone in
the depths of her large, brown eyes.
The mouth was sweet and rather Weld
ing. The nose, a trifle large. Waving
brown hair from which an occasional
curl broke loose, was twisted like a
dress was princess robe of grey cash
mere, with lace at the throat and wrist.
The only ornaments were two white
camellias, one in her hair, the other at
her waist.
The man was about forty years of
age, and of commanding appearance.
His face showed intellectual power and
mastery over self
q am Elise Ford said the girl,
Mr.. Boynton's niece, and you, | pre-
sumo, are Mr.. Layson whom uncle ex-
pected last evening from Boston"
6 am that person." said Mr.. Lay
son, " and am sorry not to have kept
my appointment better, but the i'll
ness OF a friend detained me on the
Journey"
Mr.. Boynton entered at this moment.
and after formal Introduction to Miss
Ford, MIR. Layson was shown to his
apartments to remove the dust OF
travel before supper was announced.
After three years of happy married
life Mr.. Boynton's wife had died.
No child was left to comfort him in
his sorrow, and when soon after, Elise
became an orphan, she was claimed to
share the loneliness and wealth of the
widower.
Elise was only twenty years of age.
Every advantage one can dream of.
for perfectness in education, or accom-
plishment, had been hers.
AT the time our sketch opens, Elise
had just'returned from Germany where
she had spent two years studying
music.
Her professor, young and talented
man, had, in the meantime, become
deeply enamored with her charms of
form and features.
Her conversational power was great
er than anyone he had ever known, and |
this had first attracted him toward the |
maiden. Elise, naturally gifted with
an imaginative temperament ALWAYS en-
lowed her friends with every conceiva-
BILE virtue, and the time to doubt hui
manity was yet distant for her.
Prof. J. was of high family, but
unfortunately one in which insanity
was hereditary.
He was subject to melancholy moods,
succeeded by the widest and most
reckless gayety. Too enerossed in the
qualification of his own passions he
only cared to make Elise love him. To
once feel her white arms about his
neck, and hear her say, 81 love you,"
that were heaven indeed, and what if
oblivion came after. He first claimed
Ellse's attention by his dependency.
"Any one who has never had a friend
can afford to be ungrateful," he would
say, and the sympathetic heart of the
would always respond, " Be un-
grateful no longer, find in me friend"
1t is not the bodily presence so much as
the spirit manifest in it which attracts
us.
Elise became so much impressed with
the professors talents and apparent
depth of feeling, that when he dis
closed the spells she had unconsciously
cast about him, she gave him her hearts
best love.
Mr.. Boynton's attention at last was
called to the fact that Elise and the
professor were greatly interested in j
each other. !
His knowledge of the latter life and
family, and his own aristocratic feel '