The weekly herald. [volume] (Cleveland, Tenn.) 1876-1888, 1881-07-01
DISENCHANTED

what lovely picture she made, with
the warm flush Of the sunset light ali
around her!-a tall, slender creature,
with grace in every motion; with her
small head so royalty poised on the
fair, white throat, and its bright hail
crowning it like golden glory; with
her clear complexion of fine pale olive
and a delicious pink tint, like the color
of an oleander in her satiny cheeks and
with her lovely dark-brown eyes, soft as
velvet.
And Ross Wycherly was madly in love
with her, and only waiting in feverish
impatience for the time when he might
dare tell her.
From luxurious cushioned-chair at
the same window where Jessica was
standing in the sunset-glory Mrs. Rob.
erts, her aunt, and only living female
relative, looked coldly at her.
i" am tired of the delay in the accom-
plishment of your plans, Jessica. You
promised me you would settle them to
my satisfaction in three months at
furthest."
Jessica turned away from the lace
draped window, and indolently seated
herself in gold-colored plush chair,
that suited her lovely beauty as throne
does queen. Then she laughed, one
of her low, delicious little laughs, that,
while Ross Wycherly swore it was the
sweetest music in all the world, never
failed to irritate Aunt Theodosia.
81 don't see what there is to be
amused at," she said, fretfully. "I am
sure if you had all the frightful expense
on your hands that 1 have assumed in
taking this big, handsome house, fully
furnished, wholly for your opportunity
10 secure Ross"
Jesslca interrupted her by sudden,
little naughty motion of her head.
"Spare me the customary recital of
your household annoyance, auntie, You
are impatient-too impatient. You
don't suppose I can tell Mr.. Wycherly
that my Aunt Roberts thinks it high
time he should propose because she finds
her funds running alarmingly low?"
"Don't talk like an idiot, Jessica |"
I" But that is the way you feel about
it. You must be reasonable as I am.
sold you would guarantee to bring Mr..
Wycherly to my feet in three months
time, if you would adopt the role of the
wealthy, elderly lady, and I your heiress
niece. You have done it so far, and so
have l, In less than o week ! will tell
you I am the betrothed wife of the
richest, handsomest man in the State,
the prospective mistress of Wycherly
Park"
Mrs. Roberts caught spark from the
girls quiet enthusiasm.
"Do you really think so, Jessica
Mistress of Wycherly Park--it doesn't
seem possible 1t means so much for
you-luxury and elegance, riches
unlimited all the rest Of your life, and
q stated income to me for all have
done for you. 1t has cost me thou
sands of dollars, Jessica."
~ suppose it has" she answered,
coolly. "But You may set your heart
at rest. Ross Wycherly is as desperately
in love with me as ever man was with
woman, and might have had him at
my feet weeks ago, only that l would
not permit him to think i could be SO
lightly won, Wait another week,
Auntie; you'll see."
And she smiled 80 bewitchingly
showing her little milk-white teeth
that II was u pity her lover was not there
10 see her.
The next morning letter was handed
her, addressed in an illiterate ecrag-
Cling hand to Miss Jessica Heath, that
brought the scarlet bushes to her
cheeks, and made her bite her lovely
scarlet lips angrily.
"Again," she thought as she tore it
open impatiently. "What can be the
mattar nowP II seems as II Margaret