Daily Republican., 1881-01-28

II
health. Y.
For some time be had thought OF
proposing assistance, although ne nad
/ morbid ssnsitiveness to having
about him.
The want In the morning paper
had struck him as novel, hence his
sudden resolution 10 give the person
trial.
The stage stopped a. the gate Of
little, gothic cottage, embowered IN
vines and shrubhery, and down tne
walk came Q slight, graceful looking
lady, attirsd for journey.
Youthful, apparently, judging by
the elasticity Of her step; nearer view,
however, dissipated the impression OF
youthfulness.
She appeared about thirty. She was
wsll.drsssed, from the jaunty hat, with
lis long, curling plane. tho dainuiy-
sloyed hand, 70 the snug, little, French
boo, pseping In and out from the folds
|of her trim traveling-dress % she
walked.
In her hand she carried . small bag.
and trunk had to be strapped behind
4 the old stage.
Her face would have puzzled .
nbvsioeuomist. A clear, olive com-
Iplexion, with q faint tinge in tne
sbeeks-..a sweet, bewitching mouth,
with lips like q red, red rose; 0
nose Of the Grecisn type, and eyes
Il how can I describe themf II Is an I'M
possibility, for they we're hidden BY
large, blue glasses.
Judging from nef complexion. one
sould look for dark eyes, full OF ten
derness; Judging from her hair, Tor
|saucy, blue eyes, dancing with merri-
Iment; for her hais'-of which there
was q profusiou, coilsd about her state
|ly head, was the deepest, richest shade
lof auburn imaginable, and 1t seemed
|such an incongruity that, as we joltsd
along over road not too smooth, fell
TO studying, unoensciously, the ieS'ursa
|oi my fellow traveller. -
She occupied her time with maga'
zine. 90 ths. my rudeness was sppa'
rsntly unnoticed, and ! noted thaI mel
we'll arched brOws and long lashes were
black as midnight. -,
1 was journsying to visit an Invalid
Io,usiu. who had recently returned
from abroad.
he had been very III, bat was con-
lvAlsscing, and had sent me q warn
Invitation TO spend some time at Suth'
Ierlaud House, as his place was called
Daad help dispel the enHui that wa
settling upon him.
The route lay through charming
section OF country, the day was lovely
for II was in early summer, and 1t wa'
such 8 delightful change from tht
monstrous routine OF an office, that
t enjoyed myself immensely, the joltini
ioi the old stage Notwithstanding
Il Just at the close OF the long after
noon resched my destination, and
found that the lady's journey, also, o.
q strange coincidence, terminated here
Il She stopped to make come arrange
. Inns mt about her trunk, while i will
| mere haste than politeness, sprang a
:. the steps and entered unannouncsd
A vi,h the freedom Of an old friend.
passed into the library whera
slfound Ralph Sutherland, but 6
/, changed -, .u
His pale, thin face lit up with an
4 nation as he gave me q welcome, br
II he seemed o mere wreck OF his form'
b self, and it pAined me to see how a
Q tered was my handsome, spirited oo'
sin: - -.
ii He talked in o listlsss manner, as
d weary Of life, and kept continually r
' Icurring to his precarious health.
/ Al last, to change the subject / n
marked, ia lady stopped here when
,. Idid. Have you invited somo one, cousi
IS Ralph, for my especial entertain
b ment I" j.,
"a lady /" he said, rsAacsively. .
,e have invited no one, want you a
h myself, old fellow" with something
q the old vivscity in his voice.
ell "Oh | have II, 1t Is the new asst
tant, companion, or Whatever yt
n please to call the Office" and then
" explained what my reader alread
& knows. ,,,
70 "I cannot see her tonight" he cal
YEARLY; show does che lookT
of "Middle-sged, apparently, and wea
N blue glasses.
n The expression of disgust on the fa'
Nv Of my cousin was ludicrous in the 9
" treme, but as supper was just then 9
'. Inounosd, the subject was dropped al
passed into the snpper-room, where
"a, was formerly introduced to Miss drit
.is son. the companion Of my stage RI
ad that afternoon.
Oh Extremely graceful in her appel
ance was Miss Grierson, although
IA detected a trsmulous quiver In b
ho melodious voice. as she replied to
aun.'s motAerly solicltude tor her co
Du fort. .
81. Pleading fatigue from her journ
he shs retire ed IN her room soon aiter 81
AN mar. but next morning when ! went
is. leousin Palph's room l found her dr
-linstalled In her new position, and re'
tor ing the morning paper.
ps Diving me an invitation to become
in I;istener. he became absorbed in
bs news Of the day; while !, having
am russd the paper at breakfast, ret.
i'll down with polite indifference, inter
"a ing to excuse myself when the arti
t, she was residing was flashed;
IL soon intensely fascinated, gave p
i" self up To the rare pleasure OF listenl
on to her reading; q sweet, clear voice,
not too fast, not too slow-svery VIC
It, distinctly enun ,iatsd.
The most commonplace Items tha
pg had hastily glanced over, enhant
m. ltenfold In interest by her renderii
ith When, at last, the paper was fnish'
my cousin bethought himself; gra
sr- fully apologizing for taxing her eyes
~ IL kaN q