The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1885-01-16
SELECT STORY.
THE GIRL ZOE.

sOuiC. iihlirlbIs NDllu
and spacious, on southwest corner of
Walnut street, not far cast Of Broad.
Its well-prcserved gable faces the cross
street, and high up beneath the slope
of the roof there used to be a curious,
fan-shaped easement, whose frame
could be turned inward aud hooked up
against the low attic ceiling when the
small chamber needed light or ventila-
ton. This odd window disappeared
years ago and with it the memory of a
tale that hung thereby. A modern
French roof has displaced the gable,
and in its recesses has vanished the
little attic room around which lowered
vague romance known to a past gen
Grafton. The house itself-now first
class boarding establishment-can lay
no claim to the mystery that settles
like dust around a deserted mansion.
Busy feet, permanent or transient,
hurry through the halls and echo in
the apartments once exclusively the
abode of proud and wealthy family.
Chambermaids sing as they beat up
the beds IN what were chambers of
state, while walters polish the parlor
mirrors to a whistled tune or initiate
artistic dreams in the shapes of damp
sh napkins in the soup favored dining
rooms. There is nothing except the
old-time and elaborate cornices to re-
call the original dwelers within those
walls, when they formed the home of a
merchant prince of the old school, and
even they have lost their proportions,
since the rooms have been partitioned
to make the most of the space in their
present sordid plan.
Yet this was once the handsome aud
even stately abode of much respect
ed family, whose lofty name need not
be written here. They were of Eng
lish stock and in old colonial times had
left tilted kindred behind them in the
dear old mother country. Loyal to
their adopted land during its struggle
for independence, peace brought back
to them the right to indulge in family
ties and the friendship of consanguin.
ity.
1t was ever after family custom to
send the heir (they were not prolific
race and the only son generally inner
tied his fathers undivided wealthy over
the seas to make "the tour" in COM
pany with his lordly cousins and thus
acquire the courtly grace and stately
manners which were the distinguishing
traits of these fortune gentlemen
This journey invariably succeeded the
sons collegiate course and was follow
ed on his return by gradual induc-
tion into the business life and final
assumption of its cares and duties, to-
gether with his marriage to some
suitably distinguished lady, fitted to
share and bear the honors of his lofty
station.
As it was somewhat difficult to Sc
cure wife equal to so high destiny,
it had become family custom for the
lady-mother to assist her son in his
search. 10 the case of the handsome
young collegian expected home from
his completed studies, more than fifty
years ago, fate had been smilingly
busy. The guardian of a Southern
heiress--a distant cousin, whose
charming picture the young gentleman
had once seen and admired, and who
he had met years before-had written
to beg that his lovely ward might be
received by the Walnut street family
during his own temporary absence in
Europe. A delighted assent to the
plan followed by arrangements for her
reception, all preceded the coming of
the heir, and the mother and her pet
attendant had been so busy, the maid
exercising her rare taste in decorating
the guests apartment--the lady look
ing on, and commenting on the effect
that the latter was scarce dressed in
time to receive the young favorite of
fortune concerning whom the parents
had both tacitly concluded to feel fa-
vorably on their sons account
Zoe Chat was the pretty name of the
favorite maid who had done 50 much
towards the embellishments of the
young visitors rooms) was indefatiga-
ble in her mistress behalf, and com
pleting her toilet while she rested be-
fore her mirror succeeded in making
the still handsome matron look so well
as to elicit compliment from her gra-
,ious lord, to the delight of the CRATE
ful girl, friendless orphan rescued
rom want and maybe temptation by
he stately benefactress to whom she
vas devoted in return.
Zoe was full of eager interest in the
bride of the handsome
;oung gentleman whose portrait graced
lis mothers boudoir and about whom
hat lady had even condescended from
Ter high estate to speak to her wait
ng-mald on rare occasions.
He was dark in complexion, with a
'ich glow on his cheek; he had bril-
liant lack eyes and hair, and a fine
manly form, on which the susceptible
servant loved to gaze in secret. Zoe
hought his bride should be fair, with
golden hair and a beautiful white skin.
Oddly enough those were the charac-
eristics of her own marked beauty, 1t.
nd not so much matter about the eyes,
she concluded Hers were singularly
beautiful and Of that color that seems
to change with emotion. Sometimes
they were a dark, blush-gray; again
they looked brown, and once, when
she became angry AT the waiter for
fellow servants jocose familiarity, they
flashed until they looked quite black.
Standing on the upper landing she
peeped over the balustrade to get the
first glimpse at Miss Adele's fur,wrap-
ped figure, when the sound of carrige
wheels had told of her coming. She
was the first to see the Southern beauty
and, though she murmured to herself
"What pity She's brunettel" she
did not feel at all saddened by the dis
covery,
There was great satisfaction in the
Walnut street mansion that evening.
Adele, as she was called, pleased the
father and mother even more than at
their first meeting years ago. She, in
her turn, admired the sons portrait,
said he had wonderfully improved and
was delighted to learn he was expected
soon. If certain arrogance and will