The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1882-03-31
LADY ADELA.

Edgar Shafto was an idle, spoilt young man,
who had often been called by the bad names
of ''firt' and ''adventurer." In the first of
these characters he was 90 inconstant as to be
hardly dangerous, except to people who had
never heard of him before. He could not be
devoted, even to an heiress. Yet he was am
bilious, often wished to be rich, and had fan
cies of distinguishing himself in different
ways; but as nothing could be gained without
exertion of some kind, this lazy minded mar.
his days. Sometimes he talked about going
in for science, and told his aunt, the only per-
son who believed in him, that II he chose he
could do great things, and make all sorts of
discoveries.
''Well, my dear. why don't youi" said Miss
EhaftO, encOuragingly.
at is such an awful bore" replied Edgar.
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,
q certain Lady Adela, girl whose relations
time to house she had in this quiet part Of
the world. Miss Shafto had an old friend who
was related 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 10 South Hazel, to his
aunt's nice red house In the billy village
street. He had written the day before to say
he was coming, but was too clever to wait for
an answer. Old women, with Their conscien-
tious anxiety, had spoilt his plans once or
twice before, he thought. II he could only
manage to like Lady Adela, why should not
she like hint He was clever, handsome, of
good family. What reasonable objection
could there bet Edgar Shafto was not at al
troubled with modesty, and was beginning to
think that this shilly-shallying life had gone
nm lOprr QnOnUh
1t was early in September when he came
down to South Hazel, on alovely, warm after
noon. 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 focks 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
It was autumn, made Edgar feel quite charm
ing rs he strolled up the hill. He had heard
that his aunt was 1t Hazel House; what could
be better than to follow her there, and to get
rid at once of the slight impotence and curl
osity IN his mind.
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 and beaming,
with the smile of a young woman; Mrs. So X
Vile, small and gentle, her hair In round white
curls; Lady Adela, with basket in her hand,
gathering flowers, and much hindered by the
caresses Of two large dogs.
Edgar Shafto lost bis heart Immediately. He
had often done it before, but this time he was
almost surprised and alarmed 1t himself. for
he could hardly take his eyes away from Lady
Adelia, and certainly not his thoughts. She
was a lovely little person; not short, but
slightiy and finely made, holding herself with
the light, graceful uprightness that comes
naturally to, perhaps, ono woman In fifty thous-
and; G0neeborough's Duchess being IN ex-
ample Of it. Her hair was dark, her eyes were
very large and blue, her pretty, delicate fss-
describe her In q few words. abe was . sweet,
fearless, high-bred lite beauty. She wore .
gray Jacket and . shady hat, trimmed with
large white daisies, and was ready to smile with
. sort Of angelic frankness on the young man
- he came up to her, AMIDST the exclamatiens
of the old ladies.
That delightful garden; its paths went wind
tng about among all sorts Of flowers; mallows
and salvias and anem0ns, pansies in varied
crowds, hedges OF sweet peas, still bright In
color, and mignOnette, which filed the air
with sweetness. While his aunt, quite alive
20 the situation, and Bervously afraid that Mrs.
eackville might suspect her, was explaining
what On unexpected pleasure Edsar'c arrival
was. he walked on with Lady Adela and her
dogs, through those bright and fragrant ways.
He was very agreeable; pleasant TO look 1t,
With brown eyes, good features, and swee',
though somewhat melancholy smile; pleasant
70 ,aik to, for he quite hid his feelings and
argued with Lady Adela In IN amia6!e, dispas-
sionate way about her 00wers. There was
some fun in disagreeing with her; she was SO
positive, and seemed to delight In hghtinE
small battles for her favoritee. 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
% look up smiling and to take his opinion. ]