New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-02-12
LADY ADELA.

l..
Edgar Shafto was an idle. spolt young man, who
had often been called by the PAD names OF nrt
he was so nconstant to be hardly dangerous, eX-
cent 10 people who had never heard OF MN before
He c,,1d not be devoted, even 10 an helTess. Yet
he was ambitious. often wished 10 be Ilch, and had
fancles of distinguishing himself IN different ways !:
but as nothing could be gained without eXertlon OF
some kind this laZy-minded man seemed likely 10
remain a poor nonenJity all ms days. Sometimes
he talked abOut going In for science ana toiu ms
aunt. the only person who believed III MN. that IL
he choose he could do great Things, ana InaAe jill
sorts OF discoveries ~ -, ,
We'll. INV dear, why don't your said Miss Shafto
III is snrh an awful bore replied Edgar.
lie generally met his aunt III London, and for
years hau not thought 1T worth while to pay her
visit in the county; but one summer her letters
were tull of a new neighbOr OF hers certain Lady
Adela a girl whose relations were all dead, ana
who had come down for time to house she had III
tins quiet part of the world Miss ShaiIo had an
old friend who was related TO Lady Adelas mother,
and this old friend was now living with the helItSs,
who was much too young and pretty 10 take care
All these hopeful circumstances brought Mr..
Edgar down one day TO South Hazel, to hs aunt 5
written the day before TO say he was coming but
was too cieyer To wait Ior an answer. GA women
with their conscientious anNleties, lad spolit his
plaus once or twice before, he thought. IL be could
only manage to like Lady Adela why should not
she like Inn He was, clever hlndsome' OF good
family. What reasonable objection could there be
Edgar ShaftO moi at all troubled with modesty,
and was beginning think that this shilly shally
ing life had gone on long enough.
il was early in September when he came down to
South Hazel, on lovely warm afternoon. The
harvest wagons were creeping slowly home, up and
down the hills; here and there tree turning
yellow the cottage gardens were full OF flowers, and
up above great docks of feecy clouds were weaving
themselves into long lOw arches across the blue
hmpd sky Ofher clouds were mounting slowly
in heavier masses. away to the south. All these
pIeltv sights with the faint smell OF woOd-srnoke
In the alI. lust to remind one that II was autumn
adj Edgar
the hill lie had heard that his aunt was at Hazel
Uouse: what could he better than to follow her
there, and TO yet md at once OF the sllsht lmpa-
thence and curiosity IN his ullnd
He found the ladies in one OF the old walled
gardens which opened into each other at the back
OF the house. They were standing by bed Of
pansies; his aunt, tall, fat ana beaming, with the
smile OF a young woman; Mrs. Sackvllle, small and
gentle, her hair IN round white curls: Lady Adela
with basket in her hand, gathering flowers, and
much hindered by 81 e caresses of two large dogs.
Edgar ShaftO lost his heart immediately. lie
had often done it before but this time he was
almost surprised and alarmed at himself, for he
cOulu hardly take his eyes away from Lady Adela
ana certainly not ms thqnght?. sne was a iov ,,
little person not short, but slight and hnely made
holding herself with the light, graceful uprightness
that comes naturally To. perhaps, one woman IN
fifty thousand; GalnsbOrUughS Duchess being an
example of IT. Her hair was dark, her eyes were
yely large and blue, her pretty delicate features
were full of spirit and expression. TO describe her
in few words, she was a sweet, fearless, nigh bred
little beauty. She wore gray jacket and shady
hat trimmed with large white daisies ana was
IL
the young he came up to her, amidst the
EXPLANATIONS of the old ladies.
That delightful garden; Its paths went winding
about among all sorts OF flowers; mallOwS and
salylas and anemones, pansles IN varied crowds,
hedges OF sweet peas still bright III color, and
mIgnOnette which filled the air with sweetness.
W nile his aunt, quite alive 20 the situation and nerv
Ously afraid that Mrs. Sackvllle might suspect her,
was explaining what an unexpected pleasure
Edgars arrival was, lie walked on with Lady Adela
and her dogs, through these bright and fragrant
WAYS. He very agreeable; pleasant to look at.
with brown eyes, good features, and sweet though
melancholy smile pleasant tC talk to, for he quite
hid his feelings. and argued %lth Lady Adela III an
amiable dispdssiOnate way about her flowers.
There was some fun in disagreeing with her; she
was so positive and seemed TO delight in fighting
small battles for her favOrites Yet she had no
cOncet, and when she found ont that Edgar knew
more than she did, and could give her whole list
OF scientific names, she was ready to look up smll-
ing. and 10 take his OPINION They were getting on
beautifully when Miss Shalto found 1t was time to
60 bone.
Edgar. who had already promised to lend Lady
Adela book on carnations, could depart with an
air of pleasant uncOncern. When he was alone
with his aunt, the artlul young went into no
raptures, but began cOOlly talking OF his own
affairs. Miss Shaito naturally impatient woman.
VINO wished to be- the soul of prudence but could
not always manage it. soon burst out into Ques-
tons. 'Did he admire Lady AdeaP
She seems a nice little thing, said Edgar In
nocent: fond OF p ANTS and animals.
But so pretty Don't you think so exclaimed
Mis-, ShaftO. in amazement.
Yes; nretty little face, said the provoking
Edgar What makes her live down here p
She has not been very strong, and this place
agrees with her particularly well. i know Mrs.
Sackyile is very anxious about her.
She looks well enough.
Well Edgar said Miss Shafto after pause, 4
am glad you sensible. think her lovely,
and that what made Inc nervous when you
arrived. | afraid you mi ght fall IN love with
her 10 tell you the truth, and that would be such
misfortune
Edgar laughed slightly. Il am getting too old
for that sort OF thing he said
That j. nonsense OF course. But Mrs. SackyIlle
and her friends mean her TO make great marriage
very rightly and naturally. too-and If my dear,
pennlless nephew-Oh 1t would seem too dishonor-
ale, somehow! Mrs. Sackville would never be-
heye that had not asked you down on purpose.
is the lucky man fixed upon p
We'll, We all think, You know. Nothing positive
yet Mrs Sackyile limited the other day at Lord
Elton and, of course, there could be nothing more
suitable; IN fact he is the only man in the county
worthy of ner'
That little brute said Edgar forgetting himself
why, what do you know about hmP i
Nothing he said rather shortly. If knew him
IN he scamp and a rufian, what would be the use
OF telling yOuf You and Mrs SackvIlc would think
alike, no doubt. Lord Elton What can his little
faults sgoIfyP
80 Du-'E talk in that disagreeable way said Miss
sbatt0 laugbjn1 Yes, should think alike and |
Lady Adela wvdld agree with us. She is very |
ssnSible girl with no absurd romance about her. |
ono viii never throw herself away l