Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1884-05-15

stead of bringing down the game Frank
was brought down himself, having, in
the excitement of the chase, put double
load in his gun. Nothing daunted, our
sportsman continued the pursuit through
the grove. AS he emerged from the lat
ter, delightful and unexpected scene
burst upon his sight.
A beautiful garden lay stretched out
before him bathed in the soft splendor
of the rising sun; gorgeous butterflies
and industrious bees fitted from flower
! to flower, feasting on their sweets, and
| the glad birds carolled their morning
| hymns to the great God Of nature. In
| the center of the garden stood rustic
bower, almost buried beneath trailing
vines. Immediately opposite the place
| occupied by Clavering, small white cot
! tage emerged from wilderness of bloom
! ing roses and clustering honeysuckles.
The lower windows and door of the cot
tage opened upon a porch, which de-
scended by two or three steps to gravel
walk. While Clavering was admiring
the beautiful scene spread out before
him, the cottage door was opened, and
Dung lady came forth, attended by a
graceful white hound.
The whole thing appeared so much
! like the gorgeous pictues of Eastern poets,
! that Clavering almost believed that he
had been suddenly transported to an en-
chanted garden. He watched the lady
as she descended the porch and passed
with sWan-like grace toward the bower.
| AS she approached, her eyes were sud
denly raised to the spot where Clavering
stood. Startled at the unusual sight of a
stranger with a gun, she uttered an ex-
clamation of surprise and terror, and
was on the point of flying to the cottage,
when Clavering advanced to account for
his unexpected presence. With the easy
elegance of manner which had been one
of his greatest charms in society, he
addressed her:
LADY I owe you many apologies for
the fright l have Occasloned. While
pursuing beautiful bird I came upon
this place, and have been held spell
bound by all that have seen and heard.
This card will inform you that my name
is Francis Clavering, a name not un-
known in the great city from which
have lately removed, to take up my resi-
dence in this neighborhood."
With that innate politeness which ev-
cry true woman possesses, Nina Eagle
monitor this was the name of the fair
lady-invited him to take seat in the
bower; and with an unaffected simplic-
ity, perfectly raVishing to one so long
accustomed to the artificial forms offash-
ionable life, the beautiful girl sat beside
him and they conversed with each other
like intimate friends. Clavering's noble
countenance and distinguished appear
ance were sufficient to recommend him
to the favor of any lady. Gifted with an
extraordinary talent for conversation, he
possessed the rarer but much more fasci-
mating power of drawing others out las it
is called, and making them talk in a
manner pleasing to themselves and lis
teners. He soon discovered that Nina's
mind was, naturally, a remarkably fine
one, but sadly in need of proper train
ing. The cause of this, Clavering learnt
from herself:
"My father and 1 have lived here five
years, during which time have seldom
seen conversable being. My father,
who is passionate1y fond of experiment
tai chemistry, passes his days and nights
in his laboratory, surrounded by retOrts,
stills and bottles, filled with crimson,
yellow and green liquids, which he ex-
amines, smells and handles with infinite
care. He will not allow me to enter his
sanctum sanctorum, for, he says, the
curiosity which all women have inner
tied from mother Eve, would make me
handle some of apparatus and prob
ably cause an explosion. I have been
thus left to my own guidance. My read
ing has been extensive, but, I fear, I'M
profitable. Romance and poetry possess
a never-ceasing charm for me-"
AS Nina concluded, the tall but bent
of the bower. He fixed his dark, pierre
ing eyes upon Clavering with evident
surprise.
'My father-Mr. Clavering, said Nina,
with evident embarrassment.
Clavering arose and extended his
hand. Mr.. Eaglemont coldly bowed,
without touching the profered hand,
and peculiarly disagreeable expression
passed over his face.
Gam l right, Mr.. Clavering, in suppos-
ing you to be relative of Colonel Reg
inald ClaVering?"
81 am the son of Colonel Reginald
Clavering"
81 thought so from the striking like
ness which you bear to him."
"You knew my father, then?"
"He was once my most intimate FRIEND"
he answered with a bitter emphasis on
the last word.
The breakfast was now ready, and
Nina invited Mr.. Clavering to eat with
them. With thanks, he declined and
departed.
Clavering had mingled in the high So
ciety of many polished cities, and had
seen the women of many lands. He had
left London wounded and disappoint-
ed man. BY the faithlessness of one, his
trust in all women had been shattered
almost destroyed. He saw Nina Eagle
mont, and his faith was revived, his con-
fdence was restored; once more he loved,
and the object of his passion was worthy
of his noble heart.
After the first accidental meeting, al
ready described, ClaVering was frequent
and delighted visitor at Nina's bower.
1t was his sweet task to read to her his
favorite books, while she was occupied
with some elegant handiwork. He en-
couraged her to make observations on
+ what he read, and listened with pleasure
to her sensible remarks. He thus
gradually introduced Nina into the gar
T den of English literature, and taught her