Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-04-27

where the sunset burned like a name
She stood unconscious of nv gaze, and
noted all the classical beauty OF outline
all the proud beauty and grace, and all tn
gcntleness Of character which was reflect
ell in the countenance.
Hers had been a sad life The daughte
Of brilliant but dissipated father, she hat
early in life been brought face to face wit
that sternest fact-genteel poyerty-an,
its accompanying humiliation. She hat
one idol IN those days-her pretty. deli
cate mother-and her she had seen buried
While vet almost child in wears. she ha,
been forced to join the vast number 0
this worlds workers. with the additions
burden of young sister.
Her father, Judge Langsdale, actins
more wisely than he knew, had educated
her thoroughly; devOting the proceeds 0
his profession not otherwise wasted upOi
MS appetites to procuring for this talent
ed and beautiful daughter the best in
strucuOn in music and painting. Then
having given her the surest means of in
dependence, he very kindly got himsel
Killed in drunken carOusal, and thus re-
moved from her young heart its wearies
burden.
After her fathers death she laugh
music, and in her leisure moments haC
painted those pictures which brought hel
some small degree of fame, and. best o
all. won for her the friendship of old Mrs
Conway.
After a few years she gratified thC
old lady's within and became her travelina
companion and almost daughter; and
finally. she married the son and heir
young Robert Conway.
/ knew she had not given Robert tho
best love OF her heart. But she felt foI
him very sincere affection, and she hon,
oil
acter. and admired the many good traits
with which he was blessed. To marry
him WAS to be Independent, cared for, pro.
tected; hut, above all. it was to be able
to shield her sister Ruth's life from much
that had darkened her own days. | could
not blame her. l could only look upon
her and pity her with unspeakable pity.
as | traced the faint lines between the
delicately arched brOws, reading i'm them
all the dissatisfaction which | felt sare
she kept locked within her brave heart.
81 remember and thank yOu,' she said
again, speaking with hesitation while the
color deepened in her cheeks. Robert
has gone North upon a brave and noble
mission. When he returns he will bring
with him some one whose life it must be
my duty to shield from the worlds I'M
kindness. l cannot hope Osave this soul
from sorrow; but, if you will help me, |
think l can teach it that we may over
come the most unpromising circum-
stances of life.''
''WhO is this person. LOis?"
"a little girl-ten wears old"
''Good GOdl And Robert dares-v
''NO. no." she cried, laying her hand on
my arm. Gam l to hear from your lips,
first of all, the suspicious which 1 knew
would arise in the hearts of others? Do
not jump at conclusions, beg YOU. But.
above all, do not wrong my husband. |
cannot tell you anything about this child.
except that Robert says she has been
given into his keeping by some far re-
moved cousin. l have too much respect
for my husband, and too much confidence
in his integrity, to doubt his words He
saws the child's history is a secret he is
sacredly pledged to keep. 1t is a great
mystery; and mystery is always annoy
ing"
lit is very unfortunate" | murmured,
helplessly, as she ceased. "What are YOU
going to tell them?''
"That a series of accidents has brought
the child to my care and protection. and
that hope they will help me make the
Castle happy home for her. | would
not, for my right hand, insult my hus-
bands purity OF life by attempting TO eX-
plain away their suspicions.0
The delicate lips settled themselves into
a strange sternness, while over her face
there crept the hauteur which gave her so
queenly grace.
You are very brave woman, my
dear" | said.
mo, mop she began, but Ruth coming
up from the lawn interrupted her.
"Such a glorious game as it was! she
cried. And Berthe was SO hOpelessly
routed"
Mr.. Hayward really played tinely,''
Miss Douglas said, as the group came up.
heated, and talking in chorus. Gle only
grew careless at the last
Because heard McRhea repeating poe
try" BERTHE broke in.
"Reallyw Lois exclaimed, laughing.
THAT is an all-sufficient excuse. Don't
you agree with me, Grace?"
Pretty Grace Walton blushed rosy red ;
but, too we'll trained to be at a loss, an
swered merrilY:
Col. McRhea certainly doesn't look
aesthetic"
"And he isn't" Miss Douglas declared,
with something less than her usual ca I'm
ness. ut is too bad that Olin's little talk
should have brought such punishment
upon him. He was merely repeating
some Of his verses for me, because he
knows 1 always feel clad to hear them,
Yes" Charley Dudley said. '1And
heard him promise t0rcpeatan0thcr scrap
at some more convenient season. This is
Just the hour for music and poetry. Let
me bring out the chairs, and we viii sit
just here where we can watch the sunset
while Mrs. Conway and Col. McRhea
charm us into dream that the golden age
of the arts has returned"
Il cannot promise anything worth lis
tening to-" McRhea protested, "but if my
fair cousin will, she can charm us into
any dream however improbable"
''She will, know" | answered, "fOr /
don't think ever knew anyone so unself-
ish with their music as Lois is"
She looked toward me with a grateful
smile; but its brightness could not relieve
the, pain of my heart when | saw the
trembling lips, and the pallOr stealing
over her face.
l felt sure there had been something
in that Highland summer not quite for
gotten.
Without a word she left us, going into
the library through one of the open win
dows.
After a few low chords Jean IngeIow's
pathetic sOng-"When Sparrows Build7-
came to us In n voice clear and sweet and
Was there new passion and pathOs in
the voice? Or did my old bachelor fears
While she was singing, the moon rose
slowly and shOLe directly upon McRhea's
face-a pale, stern face, with the mouth
set, and the blues eyes blazing
with suppressed fire.
He was leaning against one of the large
pillars, with his back to all the crowd save
me.
AS looked upon him there came to me
a revelations; and out of the moonlight
there arose a vision; the quiet waters of a
lOch, an open boat, a crimson
sky, and, out of the sky, a voice crying:
sob, ROse-leaf! ROse-leaf! what wind
will carry you away TO the SOuth?''
GLOW very beautiful" Miss Douglas
said, when we had somewhat recovered
from the sadness into which the last notes
cousin"
eyes," interrupted Ruth, eagerly.
''WiI you not let us have the lines, Col.
McRheag'
''If you really care for them," he said,
turning towards the faces looking eX-
pectantly up to him. "But l forewarn
you you will be disappointed. | cannot
repeat the lines which | promised Lesley"
in a tone which brought the color into her
face, ''but, if you wish. will repeat for
you q little fragment that came into my
head when, on just such July night, |
stood in the moonlight and listened to
the song my cousin has just sung for u.s."
How very romantic y Ruth murmured,
taking the band of her sister who just
then came into the window, and stood