Ashtabula weekly telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1880-1886, 1880-05-28
The Mystery of ROsedale.


Upon the banks Of the river James, in
Virginia. stood beautiful mansion OF
brown stone, IN the Elizabeth style Ofarch-
ilecture, built 10y II Mr.. SCulhin an En-
glish gentleman, 1t Was ON an eminence
commanding All extensive view OF country,
and the spires Of Richmond. The house
was commOdius and tasteful, the grounds
extensive and well kept, commanding II
scene varied and picturesque. Mr.. South
In had but one daughter, Alice, styled by
her admirers the Lilly OF ROsedale, Rose
dale being the name Of the estate. She
was atall, slight, graceful girl Of seventeen,
very fair, with large blue eyes, ,and cluster
ing golden curls, and was exceeded only in
her personal appearance by the lovelnsss
of her spOsitiOn-amiable, kind, unself-
ish, her greatest happiness was in the plea
sure Of Others. Always cheerful and low
ing, Alice was the sun beam of this magnl-
ficent home. Her father was gentle.
man Of noble ancestry, her mother was
Scotch, and Il defendant Of the house Of
Douglas. After his marriage, Mr.. South
lin came to Virginia and took possession
OF the estate, left him by wealthy hachel-
or uncle. 1t was before the abolition OF
slavery, and be fell heir to a large number
of slaves. He was noted, far and wide for
his many estimable qualities, although
rather dreadeu tor his stern and proud
bearing with interiors. With his equals he
was kind, affable and hUspitable. The
fair heiress of ROsedale was courled, was
admired-the charm Of every brilliant
gathering-guarded by both parents with
pride and care.
Sir Harry Percy, the son OF all old
friend of Mr.. SOuthlin, who had been
especially invited and was cordially well
coined at the OldVirginia estate, and madam
RumUr guessed the truth when she SAID it
was the wish of both Mr.. Southhn and
Iarry's father to bring about marriage
between the young people.
On the evening Of Sir Harry's arrival,
Alice, who had been apprised Of his com
ing was all expectation, unconscious of any
designs on the part of her parents, she
looked toward to his arrival as that of an
agreeable guest and pleasant companion,
She was rather surprised at the unusual
stir on the evening in question, and the
very careful preparations of her parents
for the guesT, but argued that Sir Harry
being the only son of an old friend and
distant relative of her father, it was most
excusable. In the evening, as she was
dressing, her mother entered her room und
took unusual care in selecting her toilet.
Alice's white tulle dress was carfully in
spected, and the forget-me-nots with which
il was trimmed again and again retouched.
Her halr was brought toward and then
brushed backward on the fair brow, until
Alice became weary and was glad when
her mother expressed herself suited.
"Now, Alice dear we will 90 down and
see your fathers relative, most agreeable
young man, said Mrs. Souhin. 1t was
moonlight in the month of June. Nothing
could exceed the scene that greeted Alice's
eyes as she went out on the broad, beauIi-
Gul lawn, and beheId in, around, beyond,
nature decked with jesamne and roses.
The night birds sang amidst the willow
boughs that verged the beautiful winding
James river, which rejecting the moons
rays, wended its way through the cultiyat-
ed expanse until it was lost IN the distance.
Alice paused involuntary as she passed
through the full length window Of the
drawing room, and gazed upon the lovely
old familiar scene before her. her beautiful
face rejecting the pleasure it afforded her.
As she stood in the full light, the calcu-
lating man of the world was awe struck
never before had he seen creature of such
angelic beauty and luveliness. He advan-
ced and shook hands cordially. Alice was
timid with strangers, aud dropped her
eyes beneath his, but gaining courage, she