Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-12-07
CHAPTER V.

Early one afternoon near the close of
September, l was out in my flower garden
wandering about among the shrubberY.
A rain had fallen in the morning, wash
ing the faces of the evergreen leaves, and
now they shOne like diamonds in the sun
light. The breeze that rustled all the
foliage about me was telling me that its
mellow touch was laid kindly upon the
heated earth and on the bOsOmS of my
autumn flowers. and l welcomed it with
happy thoughts. How blandly it cooled
my cheeks. l was dipping my nose into
the heart of sweet, Old-fashiOned rose
that was full of raindrops, when voice
startled me, and handupOn my shoulder
made me spring up suddenly.
'Minnie WellbOrnl" l knew at once
the we'll known ringing tones Of one Of my
girIfriends; it was just like her to pOunce
upon me in that way. ''Here you are"
she cried, making your nose yellow and
ugly by pOking it into flowers, and ruin
ing your white complexion in this tanning
wind. It's just like you, for everybody
saws you'll be an authOress some day, or
something as unlike us practical people.
Do come into the parlOr, for l want to
talk to YOU"
She urged me on, and 1 accompanied
her laughing. 1t did not require much
talking to entertain Jessie Douglas, so for
that reason she was not usually a disa-
greeable visitor, but just then l must own
to a little ruffled emotion being awak-
ened by her presence. Another thought
less young companion had repeated to me
some words of Jessie's that came very
wildly to mind as she walked beside me.
After meeting with me at an evening
party at which l was dressed most elab-
OTately to my taste J, and wore my beau
tiful Jewels, she expressed her sorrow for
me. 1 was the last person who ought to
wear conspicuous jewels. They were so
extremely out of keeping with my de-
lightful sImplicity-my chief charm! 1t
was very hard not to feel spitefully to-
wards her for taking away all my COM
fort In wearing Aunt Miriam's gift. To be
recOnciled also to the fact that l had no
greater ornament than simplicity was
harder still. 1t made me hate simplicity
and determined to have that no longer if
my ideas of the charm conceded with
hers. Yet it was impossible to be spite
full or cool towards Jessie-she was so
merry and good-natured. We had not
talked together many minutes before my
stiffness was all gone.
She was very demOnstratiye at times,
and. with all her apparent frivolity, quite
honest in her professions.
Minnie" she exclaimed, after a won
derful pause, and then she had both arms
about me, 81 have come to ask
a favor of you-yOu lucky little woman.
You seem to have found a magical open
sesame to the palace on the hill, which is
now invested with such interest. Really
do not know of anyone who is so favor
ed as you"
l inquired what she meant.
sAh, so guilelessl when everyone, and
you, too, must know, that you are the
special favorite of this latest lion in our
midst"
Why should l color up so ridiculously
at these simple words? Surely was hap
less in my simplicity. She caught at
once at her opportunity to convince me
that she knew my character best, and
cried out with delight:
"Just see how you blush! and you are
too good to deny the truth. This hand
some, mysterious Professor has made a
deep impression upon you. Halhal hap
l could have cried, and fear that
turned angrily away. Again came her
hearty laugh:
aYou need not get angry, dear; l won't
tease, but do want you to go with me out
to Strassmere. 1 am truly anxious to
meet those people. Your brother tells me
that Mrs. o. Madame, the mother, is an
angel. See! what l have brought for
her."
1t was truly rare collection of exotics.
She had brought them in an exquisite sill
yer basket, all wrapped up carefully I'M