The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1881-07-05
Selert Stury.
CIRCUMSCRIBED.
BY e 8. K.

bird, in his cage at window of the lit
tie reception room, where Grace Calcraft
sat, welcomed it with roundelay Of
Ispirited melody.
| Mrs. Calcraft had come down early.
The air of Brentford would not let her
sleep. At home the silence and heavy
lperfume Of her chamber kept her halt
linsensibe until ten o'clock, M Here
,tthe early light, the fresh frolicking
breezss, and the bird-songs, startled her
, like an electric shock, at five.
She had come down from her room
with a delicious sensation Of novelty.
The house was in fresh and exquisite Or
Ider, the rose-scented wind blowing
Through. At first she had gone out
through the open doors upon the veran-
Ida, and gazed upon the dew-bright lawn,
|danclng fountains, fresh h-blcwn crimson
and gold-hearted roses clrcling the white
pillars, with an enjoyment she had not
felt for years. But the morning air was
almost too fresh for Mrs. Calcraft's hot.
house constitution; she shivered in her
robe of India muslin, and came into the
little purple reception-room.
There were faint sounds OF life about
the house, footstep, soft voice, a tink-
ling laugh, but no one came near her.
She looked at her watch it was yet an
hour to the breakfast-belI.
As she sat in the depths of velvet
fauteil, deeply-framed picture over the
mantel caught her eye. 1t was picture
OF Brentford OF Brentford, by Copley.
The gentleman was handsome, she had
seen that the day before, exalted in char
scter, refined and hish.bred. She re-
called the light magnetic touch of his
hand, the exquisite modulation Of his
voice, and bis eyes soft approval OF her
beauty. A thoroughbred gentleman
and such had been rare in Mrs. Calcraft's
experience. She mused over the fact.
The sunshine sc!ntillated from the dia-
monds oE her hands, and illuminated her
golden, loose-hanging hair. A very
beautiful woman, scarce six and-twenty.
Her summer loveliness was dawning into
its prime. Search the world over, you
would hardly find moro perfect phys
ique. She knew that, and knew just the
worth OF her beauty. The knowledge,
to-day, made her thoughtful.
Mrs. Calcraft had been married ten
years before. She never spoke of her
husband. He was dead, and she was
glad OF it He had lett her hundred
thousand dollars; that was much more
pleasant to consider. She had said,
eat six-and-twenty my fate might have
been worse. / am satisfied"
But Grace Calcraft was, by nature,
neither sensual nor shallow. She was
capable Of great happiness, but by an
instructive weakness, avoiding introspec-
ton, she ignored her loss, accepted her
gain, and was not unhappy.
The mo,ning OF which I write was
new era to her Mr.. Breutford's artist
had caught his peculiar smile. As sho
met it, the dark blue penetrating eyes re-
vealed to her her own secret. Involun-
tarily she shielded her breast with her
clasped hands; the next moment arose
and walked noiselessly to window.
The lawn.fountain danced before her
eyes; she watched it moment, then sat
down on an ottaman, her elbows on her
knees, her face in her hands. Her eyes,
brown and meditstive, were fixed on the
carpet. So, for the irst time in her life,
she read thoroughly her own heart.
Half an hour passed. The faint fra
GRANGE Of coffee stole through the house.
The breakfast.bell rang silvery. but
Grace Calcraft did not hear it. Eyes
aud lips we're bent straight downwards.
when a negro lad softly entered the
room. He looked half-shyly at the
crouched, white. golden-halred figure be-
fore he spoke hesitalingly:
| "Dey's waitin' for yer to come inter
breaktas', Missy"
! Mrs. Calcraft rose, but she did not
speak. Responding to the interruption,
half-unconsciously, she fell again into
her reverie as soon as the boy had de-
parted. But che broke away again,
shook out her skirts Of Inaa muslin, and
took up her handkerchief
i She had decided. Love and happiness
should be hers Was she not young,
beautiful Had she not the advantage
Of wealth and station1 And did not
1.-The iue, sweet pulsations of her heart
ltell her that she was his peer-this
Brentford of Brentford?
As she crossed the room, a globe OF
gold. fish attracted her attention. They
we're swimming round and round the
: limits of their circle. At home she had
similar globe of these finuy pets. But
lnow she did not like to watch the crea-
lures. Their fruitless activity struck
her unpleasantly. Yet she turned from
them and went to the breakfast Oom
, with never fear OF defeat.
Brentford was the summer resort o
Brentford's sister, Mrs. Maude Ather'
leigh, and Grace Calcraft was Mrs. Ath
erleigh's guest. She had arrived the
evening before, stranger to the place
: but it's charm had struck her, even a.
:. twilight. She had met Mr.. Brentford
she had spent delightful evening, enc
retired to rest, and all that I have de-
scribed took place on the following NOR
J. ming.
The breakfast-room was paneled ir
s lgrey and gold, there were flowers among
the silver and china on the table, and {
small foreign hound came gently to
make friends with Mrs. Calcrait, as she
entered.
"Sylph remembers you, Grace. II
had thought would have sent her te
; hunt for you this morning; have beer
looking for you everywhere" said Mrs
Atberleigh.
"Everywhere but in the little purple
! reception-room," replied Mrs. Calcraft
81 beg everybody's pardon; but fell
into brown study there, and forgo
. breakfast"
"Under the influence of PauPs por
: trait ?" asked Mrs. Atherleigh, smiling.
EYES," said Grace Calcraft.
And remembering it she nearly los
herself in another.
10 dear! am so glad the governes
. is coming this morning to relieve me o