Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1882-10-05
MABEL RAE.

MABEL RAE.
Under the shadow of great iig-tree
a young girl sat in adeep reverie, Such
a tender light was in her eyes, such a
sweet smile of full satisfaction on her
face, that stranger would certainly
have said: "She is thinking of her
lover" But no lover had Mabel Rae.
Her pleasure sprang from a far less
dangerous source--from the handful
Of tuberoses in her lap. Their spirit
ual, dreamy beauty and rare. rich per-
flIme always held her as in spell of
measureless content. and the lovely
waNen flowers, pale, pure and white rs
moOnshinc, haunted her heart and inn
agination, and received from her a per-
petual love and worship.
There she sat until the heat and
stiffness of the tropic noon drove her
to the house, grand old home, hid
among giant live oaks. gray with the
solemn waving Southern moss. She
went to the large dim parlor, intend
ing 10 put her favorites among the
damp moss Of the hanging baskets,
but the dreamy languor of the room
Oyercame every desire but that of
sleep. and she lay down on the nearest
couch, holding her flowers in her
hands.
Half an hour later Mr.. Rae opened
the door, and ushered in a gentle
man who had accompanied him from
New Orleans.
">it down. Allan" he said, 81 will
soon arouse the house. You see it is
the hour for siesta, and | believe all
take it at the same time when | am
away"
For a few minutes the young man
believed himself alone. A subtle pow
erful perfume was his first sensation.
Then, as his eyes became accustomed
to the dim light Of the carefully closed
jalousies, he saw a picture that he
never more forgot, most lovely girl,
in the first bloom Of maidenhood. fast
asleep on the silken cushions piled on
low diyan. Her white robes made
kind Of glory in the darkened corner,
one hand had fallen down, and the
flowers gemmed the carpet at her side;
the other lay across her breast, as if
embracing the tuberoses which it had
scattered there.
Never in all his native mountains.
never in any dream of love or fancy.
had Allan Monteith seen woman
half so fair. He stood gazing on
Mabel as If he had "seen a vision.''
There lay his destiny asleep; he knew
it. and opened his whole soul TO well
come Loves young dream" But
when Mr.. Rae, followed by negro
valet, returned, and Mabel languidly
opened her great pensive eyes, and
stretched out her arms for her fathers
embrace, Allan almost thought he
should faint from excess of emotion.
and it was with difficulty he controlled
himself to receive the introduction
and the apologies necessary.
Allan Monteith was a young Scotch
man, the only son Of gentleman with
whom in early life Mr.. Rae had formed
most ardent friendship. He was
rich, and by nature and birth equally
notable; nor was he destitute of the
traditional business capacity Of his
house, as some late transactions in
cotton and sugar in NewEorleans had
proved to Mr.. Rae. And partly be-
cause he liked the young man, and
partly as a matter Of interest. he had
invited him to his home among the
woods and lagoons of the ever green
bayou. Mabel, in this transaction,
had scarcely bqan properly considered;
but TO her father she was yet child.
True, he recognized her beauty, and
was very proud of 1t, and she pos
sessed an exquisite voice and great
skill In music, and the passing idea Of
showing his pearl Of price to the for