The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1885-10-30

Ing does not bore you; you are TOO true
friend; it eases my heart, for it is al
how good she isl Why, John, the soul
OF good woman is clear and transp8r-
ent, like a Seep, clear lake: and in it
one sees such beautiful things. When
my Frances speaks to little child there
comes into her voice a beautiful tender
ness-a ring of such clear sweet music,
that say to myself it is more like the
voice OF an angel than of woman; it
Is Just the same when she speaks to
anyone in sorrow or sickness. The
strange thing to me is this-that though
she IS so good herself. so pure and inno-
cent, she has such profound compass
sion for the fallen and the miserable.
At Vale Royal, only few months ago,
there was one of those unfortunate
cases a servant girl,-a very pretty
and nice girl, too, she was,-was turned
out of her miStress's house in the cold
OF winters night; her boxes and
wages were put into the street, and she
was told to go to the Workhouse. She
almost went mad with shame and de-
spair. Frances would 90 TO the rescue,
and honestly believe that through my
wife's charity and goodness that unhap-
py girl will be restored to her place in
the world, or that at least she will not
go, as she otherwise would have done,
to the bad. thought that most beau
tiful trait in her character
so it was | replied, liking my dear
old friend all the better for his great
love for his wife.
"She is always the same he con-
tinued, full of charity and tenderness
for the poor. You could not think how
much they love her. All round Vale
Royal she is wOrshipped. 1 am very
fortunate man. John"
You are indeed | replied.
IL
II always had my ideal. I have
known many. None ever reached my
standard but Frances, and she is my
ideal come to life-the reality found,
fair, sweet and true, a blonde, Queenly
woman. | should think that very few
men meet and marry their ideal as |
have met and married mine. All, there
is the avenue that leads to the old
manor-hOuse, Who could have thought
that | should ever be master OF man
oT-hOuse. John? Neither that nor the
handsome income belonging to il would
be of any use without Frances. 1t is
Frances who makes the world to me-"
The avenue was superb one. 1t CON
sisted of tall chestnut trees standing
four deep. ] have seen nothing finer.
Just now the flowers were all in bloom,
the bees and butterflies had all been
drawn there by their olor: the birds
were flitting in and out making grand
discoveries Ill tie great bOuGhs; the
ground WAS carpet of flowers. White
daisies and golden EutterrUpS mixed
with wild hyacinlhS ana graceful blue
bells. We drove for some few minutes
over this carpet, and then the old grey
mauOT-GOuse stool before us. the pTrt-
test picture ever seen on a summers
day. The whole front Of the house WAS
covered with flowers, and the ivy grew
green and thick. it climbed 10 the very
top of the towers.
Famous ivy, said Lance. People
come to DuttOu to look At the ivy"
Il do not wonder at il, | said.
! WAS somewhat surprised at the style
of the house | had not expected any
thing 50 grand 50 beautiful.
We shall have time for cigar and
a stroll before dinner" said Lance, a.
he threw the reins to the groom; but
you must see Frances first, JOhn-yOu
must see her
But one Of the servants told us that
Mrs. Fleming was in the drawing-rOom,
engaged with Lady Ledbitter. Iance's
face fell.
You do not seem to care for Lady
Ledbitter," | said to him.
In truth | do not; she is a county
magnate, and a local horror | call her.
She leads all the ladies of the county;
they are frightened to death at her;
they frOwn when she fTOwns, smile
when she smiles. | begged of Frances
not to fall under her sway, but l have
begged in vain, no doubt. If she has
been there for half an hour Frances will
have given in
He turned on me suddenly, so sud
denly, indeed, that he almost startled
me.
do you know, he said, those kind
of women. fair and calm, whose
thoughts seem to be always turned in
.
one talks to her she listens with her
eyes down, and seems as though she
had left another world of thought Just
for your sake. Her manner ALWAYS
piques one to go on talking for the sake
of making her smile. / can just imag-
inc how she looks now, while Lady Led
bitter talks to her. Well. come to your
own room, John, and we viii stroll
round the grounds till her ladyship has
retreated.'
What beautiful old house it was,
one could tell 50 easily that a lady OF
taste and refinement presided over it.
The fine old oak was not covered, but
contrasting with it were thick crimson
rugs, hangings of crimson velvet, and it
was relieved by any amount of flowers;
beautiful pictures were hung with eX-
quisite taste, white statues stood out in
grand relief against the dark walls.
~ our wife is woman of taste, that
is quite evident, Lance, said.
My own rOOm,-a spacious chamber
called the Blue Chamber large, old
fashioned room with three windows,
each window seat as large as a small
room; the hangings were of blue and
white; there were a few jardiniers with
costly, odorOus flowers; easy chairs a
comfortable couch. Little stands had
been placed with easy chairs in the win
dow seats; the room looked as though
bluebells had been strewn with liberal
hand on white ground.
How beautiful | cried; Il shall
never want to leave this room again,
Lance"
Il wish you would stay here and new
er leave us; am happy enough in hav-
ing Frances, if | had you as well, my
happiness would be complete. You
have all you want, John; l will send
your portmanteau.N
When Lance had gone looked round
my room and fell in love with it. 1t
had the charm of old fashion, of ele-
gance, OF space, of height, and from
the windows there was a magnificent
view OF the park and the gardens.
Lance must indeed be happy man, )"
l thought to myself.
He came to me when l was dressed,
and we went out for = stroll through the
gardens.
I'VE shall hear the dinner bel" said
Lance. I'VE will not go too far"
We saw the stately equipage of Lady
Ledbitter driven down the avenue.
Thank Heaven" said Lance. Now
Frances is free. She Will have gone to
her room. That good Lady Ledbitter
has robbed us of pleasant hour"
/ was surprised and delighted at the
magniicence of the ground. | had
never dreamed that Dutton manor
house was so extensive or so beautiful.
t.rIrl,o c.-aaA nr-tict L ilias Ia cnrnni ir,n