The Russellville Democrat., 1880-07-15

asked Henry Aylton, who was one of the guests, reused into sudden interest at the praises she was lavishing on the new favorite.
 Lady Gordon looked up. she was a goodtempered, pretty little woman of some thirty years--a woman whose one passion was music.
 What IS she like? She is woman it would be impossible to describe; glowing as Titan, yet quaint and dark as q Velasquez beauty. Don't make me att tempt portraiture which must fall far short of the original. You will be in London next week: and must see for yourself"
 During the conversation Sir John Bri- arville had contii4ued steadfastly regard ing his nephew. At its close he said:
 Henry, 1 want to see you before you go out"
 The younger man looked up in sur prise. A request delivered in so meas ured tone came rarely from his uncle. He rose at once, and followed him into his own private room, and Sir John mo- toned him to seat. Without preface he commenced upon the subject upper most in his mind. sYrfs (. h'.s@7
 "Henry, have you ever thought it was tlmc you marriedYl lE4 SaH HEGa sf s18
 Well, no; don't know that ever I have, and I must confess I don't see the expediency of such d course now"
 II differ from you in that I think it is most expedient that you should do so. You are my kinsman. heir to all my es- tate, man of importance in the country; for all these reasons you ought to settle here" t4 @ v
 r'It's such bother; besides, l have never seen a woman yet that could loyepf ds 5Ieen1 @t3i s-8 -Heses sf sa
 "Pshawl Do you mean to say you have lived to be twenty-nine and still believe in that old-iashioned senti- ment?" asked the baronet, sneeringly. l0' Most assuredly Il dosiI always ex- pect to comesin for it one.dav. lam. in no hurry uncle. l will marry, but the woman who will be my wife must be very different to Mabel Everton and her set. ss%si if34a3ufa 3509i is aG"I Indeedls Why do you dislike Miss Everton?" se3H95g sll3 70 si iAGMa 2 ,os She smokes,i swears att her groom, smells of the stables, and converses only. on racing topics" st.tsta s.Ls 4,, sssss Sir John Shrugged his shoulders, and suddenly a thought struck him. li,'ss sA"Wiiat D made you ask after thatsinging swoman?" he asked sharply.l G3psg 8i gy Curiosity: nothing more. fancied | might know herr al.aas,s4sts .s,ge s. You have formed, no clandestine en- gagements, Henry7"V 2" ssssS ss
 ''No, sir. ."o3 And Sir John knew that he might take the answer No lie as yet had ever staiued Henry Aylton's lips. right. You go to, London next week. Bring me home the news that there you have found a woman who shall one day shine as Lady of Briarville. You are like asson to me, Henry, and I would jain see you settled .betore I go.n 0qThe close of the next week found Henry Aylton in London. He. had turned his back on the elories of Briar- ville-B riarvilIe with it's forest fragfance, it's wild wood beauties, it's simple, Thome- ly, country folk, ' and gone to that great crowded city, which we can never see without feeling somewhat sad, when we think of the thousands who live and die there tncared for and unknown if
 He had paid his first visit to Lady Cor don. and in his honor she had gathered to her house select company of her friends. At dinner chance placed him next to his hostess, and, after some des- ultory conversation, he said:
 as Lady Gordon, you promised to take me to the opera; will you go this eve ning?" .s r.e .fe
 IT my guests are willing, and they never lose an opportunity of hearing our faverite." e
 Later in the evening, when they were seated in her ladyship's own especial box, he asked impatlently if the one singer he was longing to hear had ap- peared.
 No; wait want you to hear her voice before you see her face. Listen! she is beginning now" ni a.
 With eyes bent over her bouquet, he listened, and over the hushed audience sweIt a tide of melody flooding the whole house. Never had Henry Aylton heard voice like this. l..' J
 Tt is superb--magnifcentp he mur- mured; and he looked up, to find tears Tn the eyes of his companion.
 From the face of Lady Gordon he turned his gaze upon the stage, and saw the women whose singing had awed and hushed the multitude. She was wo- man radiantly beautiful, with all the ripe beauty of womanhood truly glowing as a Titian; and Henry Aylton looked at her in amazement, as she stood there in loose clinging robe of olive-hued silk, her sole ornament clusters of early primroses, which nestled at her breast, and in the dusky masses of her hair.
 "Well," said Lady Gordon, who was watching him with an amused smile, "are you satisfed2" ,.t
 Statistical She is simply the most perfect woman l have ever beheld; and her voice"
 ''You shall speak to her tomorrow; I receive then, and she is coming"
 And so Henry Aylton went home, ts dream of the little Corail he had once known, and finally to wake with the re- frain of the prima donna's song upon his lips.
 At Lady Gordon's "At Home" he was among the first arrivals, and was in due form introduced to the Signora Viccola, whom he managed to engross during the greater part of her stay. He was not dis appointed This woman was no stage beauty, no singing actress; she was patri- clan to the core, and this alone pleased him. From that afternoon the heir of Briarville never missed his seat at the opera or his chance of seeing the prima donna to her carriage. He was at her side in the Row." at crowded assem- plies, at quiet Richmond gatherings, and his friends averred he was "hard hit" and wondered what fate in store for him. Scores of suitors had she, men of wealth and rank; but she refused all, and in way winch allowed them to re- tain no hope. To Henry Aylton her ,,,onnar u,oa di fFerant Tn b,c aoo;afx,