Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-11-09
CHAPTER VIII.

CHAPTER VIII.
The next two days were full of hustle
and preparation at Laurel Hill. Pauline
visited Irene's room and admired the dress
spoken Of very much. She informed that
curious lady that she intended to use her
bridal dress as il would bear a second
wearing, she supposed. That afternoon
Reginald, too, began to make queries CEN
corning her dress.
.'Well, Reginald, you all seem to be
anxious aOout my appearance tonight.
" hat do you suggest that l shall Wear!'
'-Ire8e's been quiZzing her, | suspect
thought he; and u little triumphantly he
felt that for once the proud belle should
be Oul shOne 10y his little country girl. He
only said, however:
Il am particularly anxious that you
look YOUR lovcliest tonight, tor this reason:
I hope you VIII wear the dress L bought
for you in New \ ork.'
He selected "a key from bis bunch and
opened the trunk he had insisted upon
adding 70 their modest number while in
New York.
This Is The package. 1t needs unfold
iug. I have no doubt. open IL and see
how You like the dress"
sac tore the cords asUnder, uuiOlded
and spread out the most beautiful dress
that ever had been fashioned, surely. 1t
was a rich white SILK, embroidered with
wreatbs Of moss rosebUds, with cascades
Of fine suit lace at the side, on the sleeves
and filling the square neck. She caught
her breath, and then exclaimed in her
sweet voice.
$50, Reginald, how kind, how thought
ful you are suppose IL shouldn't lit: How
did YOU get itS'
"DO YOU remember when we went TO
Dem0rests': L told the lady to study your
face and figure, and 10 90 the very best
she could in the way OF handsome recep-
ton dress. You know she had your
measure, as she made your other dress, so
expect it viii fit.'
Il wonder YOU did not order the roses
blue" said Pauline, laughing.
Il did mention it, but the lady wouldn't
hear 90 IL. She said so many pretty things
about your complexion and good color Of
course she had her way. and made me
give up the blue TOsebUds.'
Reginald caught the sound Of 4 little
sigh and a glimmeT Of troubled look on
ms wife's face, and at once asked what it
was that she did not approve.
II like it all dear Reginald. cts very
lovely; but L am sorry that did not have
ANY thing pretty enough to suit ycu-be-
side. the others viii fad it out and make
remarks. I'd rather wear some otner
dress" she almost tearfully added.
My pet" said Reginald, tendeTly,
''yOu viii never look so sweet, so near
like an angel as you Gid in your pretty
white dress; but my views are not in ac-
cOrdance with the fashionable world. per-
haps. and as mother is determined that
the reception shall be a grand affair, /
thought something stately suitable tor the
occasion. 1 hope, dear, you will not OBJ
jet TO my presents, and as to the others
let them understand it is none OF their
business. Come, Pauline, say the dress is
pretty, and that you viii wear it for my
sake.''
She could not resist his tender plead
ings, and soon was happy as child over
a new toy.
The parlOrs were thrown together. The
whole house and the spacious ground bril-
liantly illuminated. The dining-rOOm,
under Mrs. Mayfield's direction, groaned
with its burdens of delicacies. Irene,
too, had lent a helping hand to the hand
some decorations. Pauline sent Susan to
Irene saying she needed no help. Regi-
maid not come in yet, and, as she had
quite finished dressing. Pauline deter
mined to hunt up Douglass. Sam con-
Quoted her to his room, and she received a
rather tardy come in from a peeYish
voice; but nevertheless went in and up to
his couch.
Douglass was looking paler than she
had seen him. He was very listlessly ly-
ing upon one arm, and held bOOkin the
other. Genius was undeniably marked
upon that fair, broad brow. One seemed
to feel no ordinary soul looked out from
the deep blue eyes. but the mouth was
drawn as if in pam; it had, too, some
what scOrntul twist IN its expression.
Douglass started up at the unexpected
fair vision of loneliness before him.
=. stay, illusion! If thou hast any
sound. or use of voice. speak to men
hr- sic unfnn how 1oN-oIr ornf
You should have been a queen!"
"A queen, indeedv' she laughingly re-
piled. Il feel much more like a child
strutting around in its mammals long
dress. L shall try not to let anyone else
observe my true feelings, however. l do
not wish to disgrace my dress. How have
you been to-day? They tell me you don't
like company when sick, so guess Unjust
beg pardon for my intrusion"
80, / can't bear for people to come here
plying me and talking me to death when
nv head aches. l will send for you some
time and see if you can chatter as inces-
sanity as Irene. Mind you don't pity me,
in words at least. You see L have the
faults Of Byron, with some of his virtues.
/ cannot become recOnclled to being a
cripple-tO the thought that / cannot be as
other men are. Look at Reginald erect,
healthy, full of energy. He has, too, made
himself an honorable name among his
fellows, while I0-he looked down con-
temptiously upon himself, and then went
on in a sad tOne-''If l could exchange
places with Sam l would do so gladly. To
walk, run, work in the sunshine, seems to
me would be the greatest happiness.
Here 1 am helpless; no good to myself or
to anyone else"
He turned glOOmily away.
NOW. Douglass, you say YOU do not
like to be pitled. While you are all the
while deplOring your condition. How
much nObler it would be to forget bodily
weakness. Try to overcome your morbid
feelings Other crippled men have en-
jOyed life, and made something grand of it,
too. Take two instances only. In the
past think OF Pope, who was so little he
needed high chair at the table; so weak
that he had 10 be tied up in bandages in
order to stand up; so subject to cold he
was constantly wrapped in flannels and
furs, 10 say nothing of wearing three pairs
of stockings at once. In this day every
one knows what Alex Stephens has done
and has suffered"
Pauline" he answered, little peev-
ishly, but not displeased, ''yOu are worse
than Irene. You lecture on the first in
terview. What could be worse than COM
paringmy poor body to that old interro-
CATION point of a Pope? l do not look as
badly as he did. am sure"
"Nor take life as philOsOphically either.
Now tell me honestly how sick are yOuW
''Oh, I'm just sick enough to be tied to
this room like baby.v
Don't you think you could make a more
elaborate toilet if il were necessary"
Il might. perhaps, but where's the ne
cessity ?"
Douglass, I cannot go down to those
brilliant rooms tonight where all Will be
gayety. knowing you are away up here
alone, but 10 hear the echo OF laughter
and music. You do not wish me- TO be sad
on my reception night, do yOu:'
her voice.
'sNO. sister mine. | hope l shall never
cause YOU a sad moment. Do you know
never go down when there is company