Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-03-27
GaIes ano Sketfkts.
fHE OTHER ASHCRSfS.
Alex. Ashes Fortunate BIander.

holding 1t well up 10 eaten the sOIDeWnaI
uncertain light of lamp. studied the adj
dress with zeal sharpened by sudden ap
prehension.
..Confound Uncle Nat he muttered.
Il wish he would learn to put tails to his
Sc. 1914. no; 1914. no: that quirl GER
tainly must mean 3. Well. this Is real
ly too bad. 1t never occurred to me till
this moment that there could be a mistake,
but certainly it is 3, and not b. A nice
business it would be to make blunder in
-heiress- hunting. Pshaw, But it's to
please Uncle Nat. He's been good to me
in his way, the old fellow has, and can't
well refuse 50 light favor as that should
eall on tbese-what's their names p
Ashursts, even if he does 90 on to air
what he calls his '.long- natured hopes
that call may lead to something more in
teresting. 1t won't though. ! never saw
a girl with money yet that wasn't alto
gether detestable 1914, 1914 - which is
1t? Never mind this is Thirteenth street;
so much is certain. Now let's see, the
house must be on this side. Perhaps the
name is on the door. By Jove. ] never
thought of that.
Sure enough, the name was on the door
-"Ashurst"-revealed plainly enough by
an opportune street lamp directly opposite;
and Alex. Ashe rang the bell, muttering
to himself: "A good hit that. It's lucky
! didn't go off in search off 1914. Still.
wish Uncle Nat would mend the tails of
his 5's.''
A narrow entry presented itself to his
view when the door opened. for the house
was small and the misfortune Of a small
house is that each newcomer instructive
ly makes his measurements. and deduces
from what he sees the probable extent
and compass of what he does not see.
THE ladies' were at home" and a white
capped maid took his card into the parlor
and returning presently, ushered him
in. "What a pleasant room w was his
first thought as he entered. Not "hand-
some parlor" in the least. He was used
to those parlors where every mirror,
bronze, curtain, and piece of furniture
was the exact complement of similar arti-
cles on the other side the party-wall on
either hand; where sofas and chairs wore
fine clothes on occasions, and common
days, and nothing seemed intended for
use, comfort. or the indulgence of unau-
thorized or impromptu pleasures. This
was a room of different type. not hand
some at all in the conventional sense, but
full OF individuality and charm. Thick
rug-like hangings OF the cheap Abrazzi
tapestry of Italy draped doors and win
dows the walls. of soft harmonious
tint, were hung thickly with pictures and
drawings, among which wandered, appar-
emily at will, the shoots Of magnificent
ivy. A bright fire of camel coal shone
in the low CRATE; there were books every
where; the piano stood open, and strewn
with music sheets Il writing table, heaped
with papers, in one corner, and an easel
and paints in another. showed that busy
people used the room. and worked there
when so inclined-a thing not often per-
mitted in parlors kept for show; and on
the chimney piece stood bowl of fresh
violets. which difrused spring like odor
about the place.
Two young ladies. evidently sisters,
rose from seats beside the fire and came
forward To receive the guest. The elder.
who had his card between her fingers,
had a sweet and sensible countenance. a
remarkably pretty figure, and a manner
full of gracious dignity and composure.
She was of that type of women whom
other women wonder that all men don't
fall in love with; but they don't. The
younger was a totally different style-fair,
round. brilliant, smiling, possessed OF n
tHouSdilu SIutts, WHICH Icub W
her manner ineNhaustible variety and
charm, but withal with the sunny candor
OF child shining in her clear blue eyes.
Amy Ashurst was altogether an enchant-
ing creature, and Alex Ashe, struck and
dazzled, muttered to himself. with sudden
excitement: "By Jove Uncle Nat has
hit it for once. Here is girl with money
who beats hollow all the girls without
any that | ever met. am everlastiDgly
indebted to him" And while these
thu, lights whirled through his mind. Miss
Ashurst was enunciating her soft little
sentences of welcome.
I'VE are glad to see you, Mr.. Ashe
and mamma will be very glad when she
comes home. | am only sorry that she
should happen TO be out this evening ut
Mrs. Berouin's circle, but they always
break up early. She had letter FROM
your aunt. think it was. in the autumn. in
which she said that there was talk of your
coming here toward spring; but she
named no time, and mamma did not know
when to look for you
My uncle. probably. He is not mar
ried. l had no idea. however, that he
had written to Mrs. Ashurst so long be-
iorehand. though he babe me call upon
her without fail
Your uncle,' repeated Miss Ashurst,
doubtiully. Il thought recollected: but
of course | might be easily mistaken.
Pray sit down Mr. Ashe. Oh not on that
chair; that is only comfortable for ladies'.
Try that big square one. What n buster
ing night it isl"
Il thought so till came in, but no one
would suspect it from the atmosphere of
your room.
II am SO glad that you think SO" put
in the beautiful Amy, whose voice was as
sweet as her face. Florence and are
always pleased when any one praises our
rooms. because they are mammals doing.
and we think that she has the most perfect
taste in the world"
Nothing could be pleasanter, l am
sure. 1t is thoroughly individual, aud
vet has such p look of home, and that is
not an easy look to produce in city house
it seems to me-"
mo. il isn't; but mamma is real Won
der-working; she always gives that look"
cried Amy, eagerly, dimpling and flush
ing. and looking twice as handsome Tor
the pretty glow OF pleasure.
We hear occasionally of love at first
sight, and we smile at the notion as ro-