The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1881-07-05

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81 have no objection; shall be glad to
get rid of them. Grace, do you think ]
look like my brother ?"
In looking from Mrs. Atherleigh tc
Mr.. Brentford, Grace Calcraft met Mr.
Brentford's eyes fixed full upon her. HI
was thinking:
"How exquisite she is! Iwould lik'
her on my wall, in frame. She woul(
illumine a whole cathedral with that hal
of hers"
Reading that in his eyes she could af
ford to laugh her merriest, most musica
laugh, and make an answer which pu
them both on their mettle.
She had formed no plan of attack. Sh,
meant to win Paul Brentford to love her
but had not decided how. Remember
reader,tha she was no shallow coquette
no silly flirt, or heartless fortune hunter
Deep in her heart was a heaven borr
craving for love, and it was moi. less pure
because it encompassed marriage. She
was capable of living utterly for one she
loved. Friendships, fancies, the attach
ments OF children, she had had plenty
OF them. 1t was another thing-the 5esI
in life-she coveted and aimed for.
So it CHANGED that, being merry, mer
riment, with the popularity of her tenn
perament, seemed what she was best fit
ted for. 1t suited her golden hair and
dimples. 1t made her charming. So
the next day, fit of sadness was exqui
sitely expressed by her pensive eyes,cer
tain lines OF her face, and her gentle
grace. 1t was patent to every one ths
she was beautiful, and no one resisted
her charm. Nor was she acting; bel
Vaccinations were perfectly natural; her
natural expressions and demonstrations
bad always been charming; by the mere
love OF her beauty, her presence was
most alluring. So she attracted Pau
Brenttord with the others.
She knew 1t. The reflection Of hel
triumphant eyes shone back from her or
the mirror.
Mrs. Atherleigh looked on. She had
no objection, to a match between hel
brother and the beautiful widow. She
broached the subject to Grace as the two
sat on the lawn:
"Paul admires you, Grace"
"Thank you. Who told you?"
"Himself. Now, if you like. my dear
know that I have no objections. 1 am
only too glad to have Paul marry. ]
have been quite in despair OF him. You
see, Grace, he had an attraction when
younger-a very lovely girl they say she
was, l never saw her-but not worth nv
brother breaking his heart about, ol
course. was abroad at the time; and
/ never liked to ask Paul-to hint at il
seemed to make him half wild-5ut
sbnliexo= her father faiied and cnmmfrted
suicide, and she wrote Paul note Of re,
lease and disappeared from the city. Ny
brother was devotedly attached to her,
but he could never find her. Yet people
do outerow such things. am delight.
ed that he has fallen in love with you
my dear"
Mrs i.therleigh's governess had mol
come. With some excuse that seemed
insufficient to Mrs. Atherleigh, she had
remained away. And at this juncture ol
the conversation, Misses Nettie and Ger.
trude contrived to splash themselves al
the fountain, and their mother, Fastening
to their punishment, left Grace alone il
her rustic seat under the locusts
As she bent to her embroidery soft
slow smile illuminated her face. Tht
red OF an exquisite happiness burned ii
her cheeks. Hot tears of gratitude came
to her eyes. She believed that Pau
Brentford loved her.
His attentions had been marked, hai
excited comment, but it was anothe
thing 10 have the matter taken for grant
ed, as Mrs. Atherleigh had done.
A step broke the silence around her
Brentford sat down at her side.
He had white rose in his hand whicl
he gently put in her hair. Then he sa
idly watching the motion of her whit
fingers, and chatting OF Indifferent things
His appearance was that OF very happ,
man.
II have just brought Maud lette
from her geverness." he said sand th
young lady is coming at last"
"Just then carriage came up th
drive and stopped below the terrace. !
lady, violet-eyed, with soft. tintles
face, and robed in black, stepped to tn
ground. Her manner was indescribabl
graceful and gentle. The moment ths
ber feet touched the ground the two lii
tie girls came running down the steps.
"Miss Gordon! Miss Gordon" the
cried in tones of delight.
"It must be the governess," sal
Grace Calcraft as she watched the youn
lady kiss and embrace the children; br
she did not see Brentford's face, If sh
had it would have been a revelation
When she turned he was gone.
When she entered the house Mrs. Att
erleigh, almost ss delighted as the Chi
dren, informed her that the governes'
Miss Annie Gordon, had come.
| "Such a relief to me, my dear Sh
has so much influence over the children
81 am very glad" said Grace, absen
ly.
Sho saw Miss Gordon at dinner th'
day. She was not as pretty on neart
inspection. Her face lacked animation
and there were blue shadows under ht
eyes. Still there was q dignity abo,
her that prevented Grace, in her usu
attractive way from patronizing her;
I dignity that was unmistakable and vi
usual.
Grace observed nothing more. NJ
Brentford was little grave and abstrat
ted.
"Does he doubt ?" she asked hersel
looking at him from under her lon
curling lasbes.
| She would gladly have gone to hi
with unmistakable csresses. Only
word, she believed, kept them apart.
That evening, coming down from h
room, she found the house all silent ar
uulightcd. The dewy garden-sweet a
blew in, FREELY danced in the opt
door. She stood in the hall, was abo
to pass out on the piazza, but her fir
step was arrested by Brentford's voic
Low, earnest, tender, but it was not q
dressed to her.
"Then why did you come here, A
ME 2' he asked
because l heard that you were to