The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1878-03-14
CHAPTER III.

AI1tI LIN LII.
At B. We're left the railroad and
took the stage for Elton. There were
no other passengers she was glad to find
and leaned quietly back in her corner,
she drank in with the keen pleasure OF
an artist the lovely scenes through
which they passed. After three or
four hours drive. during which they
seemed alternately climbing TO heaven
and plunging again to mother earth.
the numbering old stage drew up with
a grand flourish before the small inn
of Elton, a poor but picturesque min
ing village in the heart of the Blue
Ridge.
PLEASE miss, be you the young lady
to go to the Hall ? step this way miss.
and We're followed the sable old serv-
ing man to where pretty spring wagon
was waiting to carry her TO her new
home. After seeing about her boxes
the old man swung himself into the
seat in front of her and gathered up
the rcins.
Misses would have sent the kerridge
to fetch YOU" he said apolOgetically,
'.but its been broke. femme see, nigh
on to six years. Mars Ralph amt never
at home hardly now, and misses she
never goes away, SO they Amt got no
use lOT al ktIIlSt. NtNti pttii III tiCoC
parts before :"
No"
"Ah you ought to have known the
hall like l did. in the good old time
that's gone. Twas a gay place then,
for Misses ALWAYS had some one a-Stay-
ing with hers and Mars Ralph lived
here all the time. All them was happy
times happy times !. But faint SO now.
misses is always sick and Mars Ralph
amt lived at home regular like for nigh
six years: the miners and nan com
plains mighty bout it, but he never
stays more than a week at a time. All
this longs to him." continued the nan
pointing across the beautiful valley
with his whip, land here.is the Hail."
A noble old building it vas with its
stacks of white chimneys, its gabled
roof, and its broad passages and spa
cious chambers. At the arched stone
entrance they were received by the
white haired butler and We're was
ushered into a large, elegantly fur
nished drawing room, and left to wait
while her arrival was announced to
Mrs. Raymond.
During her long journey her heart
had not once failed her, her predOmi-
nam feeling being that of JOY at her
independence, but nov when she was
about to be presented to her future
employer, a sudden shyness seized her
and she heartily wished herself back
at Sunny Side or even with her step
mother in New York, anywhere rather
han in Mr.. Raymond's drawing room.
Fortunately she had not long to wait
ere she was summoned to that ladv's
sleeping apartment, like the drawing
room large and handsome, but utterly
devoid of any hOmelike comfort. AS
We're entered Mrs. Raymond raised
herself on her elbow from the bed
where she lay, the pillows scarcely
whittier than the delicate, high-bred face
resting OIL them. There were many
silver threads mons the dark hair
drawn smoothly from the forehead, but
the eyes that met Veress were gentle
and soft. She greeted the girl kindly.
Excuse my not rising, Miss Her
bert; there, take that seat. Did you
travel alOne:'
Yes"
And were not afraid :, YOU have a
great deal of courage"
There was a pause during which the
sick woman regarded the petite grace
full figure opposite her, very intentlv.
Do you know, Miss Herbert, that | have
been lying here for the last hour spec
ulatlng as to what YOU looked like!
L had quite decided that you would be
very large and a blonde, | find how
mistaken | was. You are OUNCE too.
than | thought for" she continued. i
fear you will find the hall very lonely"
. no am sure l shall like it verv
much replied We're quickly.
!" trust SO my dear, you have a gen
tie face and a sweet voice, and | think
we will get along nicely. But you
must be very tired. Jackson, this is
Miss Herbert, take her to her room
and see she wants for nothing: l shall
not require you presence till tea, so go
and rest yourself. my dear
When Mrs. Jackson the motherly
old hOusekeeper had left her alone.
We're proceeded to change her travel
stained dress. As she colnbed out her
hair before the long mirror she paused
and looked at the reflection.
A gentle face" she said musingly.
lit was not called so in the old time. |
think the lady across the passage would
change her opinion if she saw me in
III of my tdntr1tms ~ and she made
a wry face at herself to keep back
the tears that We're dangerously near
the surface, for she felt very lonely.
this girl. who had ever been surrounded
by hosts of friends was now a range
in a strange land
She seated herself at the window with
a book determined not to think Of her
self, but alas thought will not ALWAYS
be bridled and many times during the
next hour she was compelled to drv
the heavy tears from her eyes ere she
could continue her reading. At last
however the afternoon wore away and
she was summoned to tea in Mrs. Raw
mOnds room.
i have all my meals here for l am
unable TO descend to the DINING hall;
It's than six months since | quit
ted this room," said Mrs. RAYMOND
with asigh.
We're hoped she would soon be better
and able to 90 out: Mrs. RAYMOND