Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-01-20

Feelings OF delicacy prevented me from ask
ing her to allow me to remove the Chelsea to my
house before had paid the price due for 1t, and
quite blushed with shame when one day she
handed me the key Of the cabinet. and with a
meaning smile. begged / would take charge Of
It to insure the safety Of the articles 80 highly
priced.
THE course Of our affection ran very smoothly
for about three months 1 had quite recovered
my health and. ! may say was placidly happy.
If, at times while sitting with my elderly BRIDE
elect, and hearing her, 1t may be. complain of
some ailment, which she candidly attributed to
advancing years, did feel twinge of regret,
had but to turn to the four cups and saucers,
the cream.jug and the two Dishes and ;l van
ished.
But fate and Miss Grafton had other views
for me. although l little suspected them.
According to custom. one afternoon / paid
my usual visit to my future spouse, and was
surprised as l entered the house to hear the
sound C: piano. l know something of music,
so at once became aware that the instrument
was played with great skill, and much l won
dered who the performer might be. l had not
as yet discovered that my Lesbia possessed
musical talent. The maid opened the door of
the drawing-roOm, the music ceased. and
walked In and found myself face to face with
one OF the loveliest girls l had ever met Per-
haps the surprise. the contrast. when l saw
her instead Of the middle-aged lady I expected
charming. could realize only ut first a bright
Young face, with masses of light hair around it,
turned to see who entered, and well-molded
ngure, showing to great advantage as she sat
oelore the piano. Her dress was of simple
black, but we'll and becOmingly made, and. as
she rose when | entered, l could see she was
over middle height.
''WOmen always behave with less awkward
ness than men in chance meetings; 80 while
l stood still and stammered some words of
o6y vxrifh fdnfn o,I
said:
Mr.. Headley, am sure! My aunt told me
to expect you. She has gone out for a short
time, but hoped you would wait until her re-
turn
81 was only too pleased to accept the invita-
ton so frankly given, and. recovering my self
possession. in a few minutes was in full swing
of chat with my Lesbia's niece
~ found her an unaffected girl full of spirits,
and looking forward to the pleasures of stay
in town.
Il suppose you will stay some timer asked
Your presence will quite brighten Miss Croft
tons house.
. L shall stay as long as ever my aunt will
Keep me-, she replied. Isn't she dear old soul,
Mr.. Hcadley?'
Il WINGED. and began to realize that nv situa-
ton was a painful one.
.''She is SO antiquated,' she continued, and
yet so romantic in many things
II felt more foolish than ever, and. for the
81 wonder she did not tell me you were COM
ing suppose she meant to surprise me-
81 suppose so. But l assure you she has
talked to me great deal about you, Mr.. Head
icy. You appear to be great friends Quite
Il colored up to my ears, but managed to
say:
"Then conclude her report of me has been
favorable
Sc shan't betray her confidence, Mr.. Headley;
.xp-
as prefer to form my own opinions
"As felt we were getting on delicate ground
begged her to resume the music my coming
had cut short
''She played a piece of Chopn's with great
feeling and brilliancy, and then at nv request
sang couple OF ballads. Her voice was sweet
and well trained altogether she was very
nece-tO-be.
DO YOU play or sing?' she asked.
80, Neither: unfortunately. / am only an in
different critic, who understands music only
enough to praise when pleased.
lector.'
And as she spoke 1t struck me that this was
the first time l had ever been inside this room
and forgotten to look and assure myself of the
safety and wel-being of the cups, saucers,
cream lug and dishes.
"And. as the thought of the china brought
other thoughts in its train, felt that would
give great deal to know whether Miss Crofton
had told her niece everything. Fervently
hoped that she had not done so, as knew. in
tuitively, l should cut sorry figure in a young
girls eyes.
During my meditation Lesba returned. and
instead Of appearing jealous and annoyed at the
capital understanding between the fair niece
and future uncle, smiled and said:
Shall introduce you young people, or have
you dispensed with that ceremony
Your niece has the advantage of me in
knowing my name,' l replied.
'Mr. Robert Headley let me present you to
Miss Ethel Crofton. nv favorite niece said
Lesbia with the politeness of the old school.
after that unnecessary ceremony shall 20
and dress for dinner said Miss Ethel CrOfton
IL closed the door after her. and turned to
greet her aunt with the accustomed salute
Perhaps from the same reason that the china
had lost its charm to-day found that semi
maternal affection was scarcely satisfying
enough, and could not help thinking my future
bride looked very aged.
- Robert she said-it was I believe, the first
lime she had used my Christian name-T should
our engagement at present. She Is young and
glddy. and might not look upon it in the right
light
Il promised secrecy with Joy could scarce
y conceal. At any rate, Ethel knew nothing
about 1t as yet.
II dined that evening with the ladies. Miss
Crofton did the honors in dress of such anti
luated design and material that Ethel openly |
-alled her upon 1t. She herself was beauti- |
'ul In pale blue silk, and was 80 struck by her |
air, young bright face, her pleasant natural |
manner that before the evening was half spent |
had fully realized what an ass had made of |
myself.
my visits to Shepherds Bush for the next !
ew days were as frequent as the most exact
ng fiancee could have expected; but l am |
afraid that had my Lesbia been of Jealous or |
suspicious nature she would not have derived |
he pleasure from them she appeared to feel. |
sat no longer In the chair Commanding the |
pest view Of the cabinet that enshrned the |
treasures for which l contemplated sacrificing |
myself and my affections. l was ever by |
tthers side; at the piano, turning the leaves |
'f the music; reading my favorite poems to her;
lOlding her crewels. or winding wool for her. |
Considering the tender relations between Miss |
Crorton and myself, must own that my beha- |
7iOr toward her unsuspecting niece was dis |
graceful. Indeed, had Lesbia thought ft to |
pour stream Of reproach upon me and order
ne to quit her presence she would have been |
uly justified. However, she did nothing of the |
Kind. but sat in her favOritc corner knitting,
md apparently paying no attention to the fiirt- |
ltl0n. or something more serious which was |
under her very eyes.
'Soon matters reached climax could no |
onger deceive myself. was hopelessly in love
With Ethel CrOftOn, and felt bound In honor to |
INFORM her aunt, and to throw myself on the |