Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1878-03-28
gu Original Sturg.
Written for the Yorkville Enquirer.
Written for the Yorkville Enquirer.
MARY EUSTACE; {;
OR,
TRUST BETRAYED.
CHAPTER I.
CHAPTER I.

"Has the mail come in yet, Jeffrey ?"
"Just come, master Andy's fetchin' it up
the front walk now"
And minute or two later, Andy. the sable
post-boy, knocked at the door. jeffrey, the
butler and factotum of Colonel Dacre's estao'
lishment, received his burden from him, and
unlocking the bag, took out its contents and
deposited them on the breakfast table, beside
his masters plate.
Let me place before you, ere we 90 farther,
a picture of this same breakfast room and
its belongings, as it looks on the pleasant
Winter morning which dates the commence
mept of my tale, by no means forgetting LAS
would, indeed, be q grievous omisslon) the
portrait of mine host himself, the living and
moving spirit of the scene.
The room is oblong, with deep bow-win-
dow at one end, looking out upon smooth
lawn, which, in spring time, shines gay with
patches Of bright flowers. and even at this
season, is neat, trim and inviting; for Cesar
Augustus, the respectable gardener, would
not sully his reputation, by suffering dead
leaf or stray bramble, to appear within the
sacred precincts allotted to his care. At the
opposite end of the room is similar recess,
before which curtain of rich crimson is
hung. Parting this, you enter cosy little
nook, and seating yourself in a luxurious
velvet chair, contemplate, with admiration, a
tempting array of well.bound books, on set
of oaken shelves fitted into the wall in a
semi. circle, in the place once occupied by plate
glass panes. The Colonel, who is not devo-
tee to overmuch light, found the one large
window sufficient for general purposes, and,
therefore, had it's fellow converted into this
pretty little sanctum, where he spends many
hours among his favorite authors, whose COM
pauy he thoroughly enjoys. On each side of
the shelves is narrow window, filled in with
single pane of ground glass, which affords
him subdued, yet ample, light for reading,
when he draws the curtain to prevent intru-
sion and all the servants know that master,
when behind this screen, is, on no account,
to be disturbed.
On one side of the room is the ample fire.
place, before which is spread huge bear-skin,
a trophy of the chase earned many years ago
when the Colonel was in Norway, for he has
been an extensive traveller in his time. The
mantel-piece is worth your attention. 1t is
of oak wood, polished to fabulous brightness,
and on it are carved the family arms-a shield,
with hand poising lance, and the motto !:
"Honor and Courage" inscribed below. On
either side of the chimney is square recess.
One occupied by quaint cabinet contain
ing all sorts of relics and oddities, not very
valuable in themselves, perhaps, but dear to
their owners heart; and the other by an
escritoire, where he writes his letters and fig
ures up his accounts. (The apartment, you
perceive, is not merely breakfast and din
ner room, but study and sitting room as well.)
Over these two pieces of furniture two portraits
are hung Que is that of a lady with auburn
hair and dead-white skin, and light blue
eyes looking at you (not agreeably) from what
can scarcely be termed the shado,O of their
scant pale lashes. This is the faithful repre-
sentation of Colonel Dacre's wife, Blanche,
who died after six years of wedock, which,
according to current report. were not happy
ones The corresponding picture is a charming
one. 1t is the Hebe face of girl, young,
beautiful and arch, with flowing brown hair,
and dimple at the corner of the curved red
lips that look as though you might put your
6uger in it, so real is its effect. The large dark
eyes, full of mingled softness and fun, smile
upon you from the canvass, which surely
bears the impress of master hand. Oppo-
site the chimney is richly carved oaken
buffet, glittering with old fashioned silver and
delicate glass, kept in scrupulous ordsr by
Jefrey's careful hand. Some we'll chosen
pictures of game and fruit are hung on this
side of the room and in one corner-that next
the cabinets a plain square pedestal of
black marble, supporting bronze figure of
Hercules, the only article in sight, unless you
except the pictures, which answers merely
ornamental purpose; for vases and brack-
mantel piece is adorned simply by an enor-
nous bronze clock which never goes wrong.
The dinner table is of oak 80 are the sofas
aud chairs, upholstered in plain deep crimson ;
the thick soft Carpet is of the same color,
with bordering of brown ; and warm lus-
trous tint pervades the whole room, especial
ly pleasant and comforting on frosty day.
And now, for the Colonel himself: But I
fear that here encounter more difficult task.
NV pen can scarcely do justice to that kindly
face, which owes its attraction more, perhaps,
to expression than to actual symmetry of fea-
ture, though every feature is good enough to
hear criticism. His forehead is broad rather
than high his head, with its Short soft curls
of slightly -grzzIed hair, is well formed, and
admirably set on his broad shoulders; his eyes
are blue.gray, mild yet bright, frank mirrors
of his expansive soul (the Colonel, if he ever
had secret, would surely betray it in his
ewes } his nose-well, reader, do not exact.
" know what sort of nose to call it; it is not
Roman, nor yet Grecian, nor yet turned-up-
il is certsiply not pug. Yet if asked to
what nation, class or style it belongs, can
only say it is good, honest, pleasant-looking
nose, of no particular kind, but quite in har'
mony with the rest of his face. His mouth
is excellent, his smile benevolently sweet, his
teeth perfect his chin is massive enough tc
denote 6rmness, but as daintily curved as q
woman's, its graceful outline unmarried by
beard or whisker, though short heavy nous