Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-03-07
GaIes AND Sketfbes.
LADY ADELA.

man, who had often been called by the bad
names of "lirt'' and "adventurer.' In
the first of these characters he was so in
constant as to be hardly dangerous. except
to persons who had never heard Of him be-
fore. He could not be devoted, even to an
heiress. Yet he was ambitious, often
wished TO be rich, and had fancies OF dis
tinguishing himself in different ways; but
as nothing could be gained without exer-
ton Of some kind. this lazy minded man
seemed likely to remain poor nonentity
all his days. Sometimes he talked about
going in for science, and told his aunt, the
only person who believed in him, that if
he chose he could do great things and
make all sorts of discoveries
''Well. my dear, why don't you ~ said
Miss Shaffo. encouragingly.
ut is such an awful bore" replied Ed
gar.
He generally met his aunt in London,
and for years had not thought it worth
while to pay her visit in the country but
one summer her letters were full Of a new
neighbor Of hers. certain Lady Adela. a
girl whose relations were all dead, and
who had come down for time to house
she had in this quiet part Of the world
Miss Shafto had an old friend who was re-
lated to Lady Adela's mother. and this old
friend was now living with the heiress,
who was much too young and pretty to
take care of herself.
All these hopeful circumstances brought
Mr.. Edgar down one day TO South Hazel.
TO his aunts nice red house in the hilly
village street. He had written the day be-
fore to say he was coming, but was too
clever to wait for an answer. Old women.
with their conscientious anxieties, had
spoilt his plans once or twice before he
thought. II he could only manage to like
Lady Adela. why should not she like him
lie was clever. handsome, of good family.
What reasonable obiectioncould there be
Edgar Shafto was not at all troubled with
modestv. and was beginning to think that
this shilly-shallying life had gone on long
enough.
1t was early in September when he came
down to South Hazel, on a lovely, warm
afternoon. The harvest wagons were
creeping slowly home. up and down the
hills; here and there tree was turning
yellow; the cottage gardens were full of
flowers, and up above great flocks of fleecy
clouds were weaving themselves into long
low arches across the blue, limpid sky.
Other clouds were mounting slowly in
heavier masses away to the south. All
these pretty sights. with the faint smell of
wood-smoke in the air. just to remind one
that it was autumn. made Edgar feel quite
charming as he strolled up the hill. He
had heard that his aunt was at Hazel
House; what could be better than to fol-
low her there, and to get rid at once of
the slight Impotence and curiosity in his
mind.
He found the ladies in one of the old
walled gardens. which opened into each
other mt the back of the house. They
were standing by bed of pansies his
aunt, tall. fat and beaming with the smile
of a young woman; Mrs. Sackville. small
and gentle, her hair in round white curls
Lady Adela. with her basket in hand,
gathering flowers, and much hindcred by
the caresses of two large dogs.
Edgar Shaito lost his heart Immediately
He had often done it before. but this time
he was almost surprised and alarmed at
himself, for he could hardly take his eyes
away from Lady Adela, and certainly not
his thoughts. She was lovely little per-
son; not short. but slight and finely made,
holding herself with the light. graceful
uprightness that comes naturally to. per-
haps, one woman in fifty thousand; Gains
borough's Duchess being an example of
1t. Her hair was dark. her eyes were very
large and blue. her pretty delicate features
were full of spirit and expression. To
describe her in few words, she was
sweet fearless, high-bred little beauty.
She wore gray jacket and shade hat.
trimmed with large white daisies and was
ready to smile with a sort of angelic frank
ness on the Young man as he came up to
her. amidst the EXPLANATIONS of the old la
dies
That delightful garden its paths went
winding about among all sorts of flowers :;
mallows and salvias and anemones. pan
sizes in varied crowds. hedges of sweet
peas. still bright in color. and mgnonette,
which filed the air with sweetness. While
his aunt, quite alive to the situation.
and nervously afraid that Mrs Sack
vile might suspect her. was showing what
an unexpected pleasure Edgar's arrival
was. he walked on with Lady Adela and
her dogs. through those bright aud fra
grant ways. He was very agreeable ::
PLEASANT To look ut. with brown ewes good
features. and sweet though melancholy
smile pleasant to talk to. for he quite hid
his feelings. and argued with Lady Adela
in an amiable. dispassionate way about
her flowers. There was some fun in dis
agreeing with her; she was SO positive.
and seemed to delight in fighting such
battles for her iavorites. Yet she had no
conceit. and when she found out that
Edgar knew more than she did and could
give her whole list of scientific names.
she was ready to look up smiling. and to
take his opinion. They were getting on
beautifully when Miss Shafto found ii was
time to 60 home.
Edgar. who had already promised to
lend Lady Adela book on carnations.
could depart with All air of pleasant I'M
concern. When he was alone with his
aunt, the artful young man went into no
raptures. but began coolly talking of his
own affairs. Miss Shafto. a naturally i'm
patient woman. who wished 10 he the soul
of prudence. but could not always manage
it. soon burst out into questions. Did he
admire Lady Adela?"
''She seems a nice little thing" said
Edgar. Innocent; fond OF plants and
animals"
''But SO pretty. Don't you think sop
exclaimed Miss Shafto, in amazement
"Yes: a pretty little face" said the pro-
voking Edgar. What makes her live
II