Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1881-08-18
OLD PETERS STORY.

All was excitement in the great house
on the hill, for so Chalmers Hall was
known for miles around. / had not
served the family, boy and man, for
thirty years, without sharing it to a
certain degree not incompatible with
my buffers dignity, and all evidence of
which strove sedulously to conceal.
1t was occasioned by no less an event
than the return Of The young lady of
the house-the only daughter and sole
heiress Of all these broad acres-from
the finishing school in Paris, to make
her formal debut in society.
The suit Of rooms assigned to her
had been thoroughly renovated and re-
furnished in a manner widely different
from the solid English comfort which
prevailed elsewhere throughout the
house; but to look through them was
like sudden glimpse into the nest of
some humming-bird, which had i'm
parted all its own brilliancy to its be-
longings.
Only few days before the expected
arrival came letter, begging permission
to bring with her her dearest friend
a young lady whose father was an East
Indian officer, and whose return had
been unexpectedly postponed a couple
of months.
Of course the petted daughters wish
was law; and though the fond father,
reading aloud the letter preferring this
request at the breakfast-table, ex-
changed glance of disappointment
with his wife that so soon the privacy
of their little circle must be disturbed.
formal invitation to Miss Aline Re
we're to the inequalities of Chambers
Hall was dispatched that very day.
| shall never forget the evening OF
Miss Chalmers return. Her CHEEKY,
"How do you do, Peter?" thrilled my
old bones, as did the touch of the little
hand she kindly offered me, III memory
perhaps Of my long service and the
many rides up and down the broad
halls she had had on my shoulder
screaming the while with glee.
She fitted about all the evening, like
bee, from flower to flower, and it was
as though burst of sudden sunshine
had illumined the old house. She was
fair, sweet English girl; but, as all
were seated around the dinner-table
| could not but acknowledge the palm
of beauty must be awarded to he1
friend. | had never seen a more ex-
quisite face. 1t fairly haunted me; il
held in it the fire of the tropics, the ice
of the Artic, the light of the heavens
the shadow of the hight-each expires.
sion in contradiction of the other, each
tending to produce harmonious war
fare.
| did not think this all out myself
but some one, long after, in describing
Miss Revere's face, thus worded it. anC
l know then they had made clear the
enigma my old brain had so long tried
to solve. IwOuld even then have beer
envious, for Miss Chalmers sake, bu
that she seemed so fond, so devoted t
her friend, that her very gladness wa.
an unconscious rebuke to me.
1t was not long before the house wa.
filled with guests-ladies and ladies
maids, gentlemen and their Wallets. com
ing and going, filling the place with gal
ETY. and excitement. Then came the an
nouncement of a grand ball, with invi
tations to all the county. Glad enough
| was when the evening it was to take
place actually arrived, and [ could fee
that the hustle of anticipation was a
an end.
On her way down to the drawing
room, Miss Flo peeped in to see thu
tables, and thought for that once WE
might compare her to Miss Aline. She
was dressed in white, her arms anC
neck bare, but glittering with precious
stones. Some of the family jewels he
father had reset, and presented t.
her that very morning at the breakfast
table. | was not likely to forget til,
circumstance for the old feeling of hal
dislike, with which had at first regard
ed Miss Aline, swept over me as fan
cied an envious glitter sparkled in the
great black eyes, as they rested on the
white, glittering gems.
''Will do. Peter?" asked nv YOUNG
mistress, sweeping me a mock court
esy, as she had done when tiny girl
and half believe instead of answering
her | brushed away tear.
The ball was grand success, anC
the sun had risen ere the sound of the
wheels of the last carriage filled with
departing guests had died away.
There had been many made welcome
that night. but none, [ well knew re
ceiyed warmer one than young Mr.
Earle, who had returned home from
years absence in foreign countries only
twenty-four hours before.
| caught glimpse of him once. a.
he was dancing with Miss Flo. Ever
in that fleeing moment. saw how
tenderly his strong arm clasped her
how proudly his handsome eyes looked
down upon her-how flushed with hap
piness was her own fair face. half hid
den on his broad shoulder; and my
heart gave glad, exultant leap that Sc
joyous a future was assured her.
l well knew what was the unexpress
ed family wish, for young Mr.. Earle'
estates adjoined our own. They wer,
unfettered, unencumbered, and il
every way splendid patrimony.
had turned away from this feetins
glimpse among the great folks, my Ole
brain filled with its idle dreams of thu
future, when my eyes CHANGED to fall
upon one who, like myself, was en-
crossed in the animated scene beyond
us. 1t was Miss Flo's friend, but, oh
how changedl