The Sunday herald. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1866-1887, 1885-07-05
MY FRIEND EDITH.

MY FRIEND EDITH.
CHAPTER I.
have been accustomed for some time, longer
than I care to remember TO describe myself az
man Of middle age, yet people speak OF me rs All old
bachelor. sometimes In derlsion, but frequently, I
fancy, with envy.
Yes, I am bachelor the adjective consider I'M
necessary-raiher by mischance than anything else,
for never started on lite with any Intentions Of
cellbacy or when young asserted myself aggressvcly
An! all might have been very different ii-but
that has nothing to do with the story AZ oil events
My-well the physical disadvantages which time has
broHght-a tendency to embonpOnt, and more Than
partial badness although allies, are scarcely SUN
cent protection, for continually see such Bencdc's
myself striking their colorS AMI railing victa,
mellow and over or even wScrea au% Tray
out Of their teens, But am made Of stcrner stuiI
and having been expOsed-for am man OF prop.
erty-to several severe tests, aud having come OIL
unscathed from the encounter may justly conclude
that my heart Is Cupidproof, and 80 journey on l1
middle-aged meditation "fancy free" am sure !
could have made one woman happy, II had had
the chance, but never did. II Is too late now, 30
must be content with making myself ay, happy; a
saE oi o. sap for ODD ""cneors
fortunate that I have no membranes, for my
nerves are not strong the least bother interIeres
alone, am peptic enough. / have only one relative
IN the world-a nephew, my poor sisters only sol,;
Hr ah how sne use ,e
found myself the natural guardian OF bright, hand
some young fellow, but as impetuous and self-wied
as u loving mother could make him. had no de.
sire to avoid the responsibility, for an the last
man In the world TO shirk duty--and bcsides felt
great affection for him; nevertheless we managed To
Weg0t on together remarkably well for some time,
until decided must get him something to do, aud
OF what was best for him. A remarkably good open
Ing was offered me for Charle--that's the bows
namen the office OF an eminent firm OF solicitors
l made the arrangements without consulting my
nephew, thinking II would be pleasant surprise to
him; but such Is the perversiiy Of youth that he
rather enlist for soldier than perch himself on
office stool. ] was very much Disguised. for | had
been praisng the young mans zeal and aptitude to
the partners In prophetic terms. Now, Charlie hal
been dabbng IN art in an aInateursh way for some
time, and although could see he had taent.-for
am a man OF artistic dtscernment--he hau never
learned to draw correctly.
"Then what the deuce do you intend to do for a
living ?" said angrilv.
cart indeed!" cried sarcastically; "you don't
cali those COMPOUNDED daubs of you're art'
"Hardly yet" said he, getting redder, but hope
Do you expect people will he fools enough to buy
any picture you're likely to pnint7"
rather be bad artist than bad attorney. AT least
can't cheat ANYBODY"
"Not unless you fnd some one green enough TO
buy one Of your plcturcs."I answered, "and that's
not likely"
The dispute at this point becomes a little indis-
a slight attack Of govt. fancy. however. told
Charlie he might go TO the deuce for aught cared,
and he seemed to take me at my word, for he lett
the house, aud have not seen him since.
I have learned, however, that he has been earning
a prccarious livelihood by giving drawing lessons,
workhouse than be burden on his relatives
Strange he should speak OF me In tho plural? How
disrespectfu 1t sounds!
my sisters eyes looking at me rcproachfully, and
how willingly would XII the fatted calf for this
foolish prodlgal II he would give me chance.
aud ask me to forgive hlm9
CHAPTER II.
II was the delightful June weather that tempted
me to take cottage on the river. am, moreover.
fond of canoeing, and the owner OF a canoe OF
greater width anu stability than such craft usually
possess. ltmay be that do look an odd figure az |
s ss n vii, large straw hat but the Senea, my
health and temper derive from this eXhtlarating
amusement more than compensate for the pebelai!
raillery meet with. 1t was to avoid boats manned
by incompetent aud hoarse-yotced crews OF vulgar
cockneys that one beautiful afternoon padded my
up s Sansy oss ~
craft. In the meadows on either side could hear
the sweep OF the scythe and smell the new-mown
cells Of ones memory for the winter az bee stores
honey. i padded myself about for q long time III
peaceful enjoyment he e., swallows or ks
santed through the fiickering leaves After while
turning my canoe let myself drift down with the
stream, guiding myself at intervals with vigorous
stroke 81 my paddle Black care had 10 place be
side me that day, and was deep In Midslininer'f
day dream when al at once violent shock, followed
nv little scream, recalled me 10 myself and checked
my absent career. was jerked unc0mfortaby for
ward and my hat shaken over my eyes. TO my dis
rounded the curve where the current ran swiftly
who, with her canoe motonless IN thick growth OF
weeds was reading halt concealed by me Dougns o.
canoe driven clOser 10 the bank by the collision
grounded. and my own shared the same fate among
oh, my poor book I" exclaimed she, before hnt
sufficiently recovered from my confusion to qpOlo
e'"i beg you thousand parions," 1 stammercd
pouring little stream Of water over her dress from
my paddle IN my agitation, shut didn't see you"
Perhaps you'll be kind enough to pick out IN,
book"
She turned toward me and saw her face was NJ
exceedingly pretty one, with expressive gray eyes
soft brown hair, delicate features, and cheek
flushed with the confusion my awkwardnesA la.
Il caused. She seemed much more Inclined to laugl
| than TO be angry, and have no doubt my fac'
showed curious mixture OF shame and astonisil
ment.
attempt To dry its sodden pages, handed 1t to thu
| owner.
az Its poor author"
She glanced at it with comcal little expression
"You are much kinder than deserve" said
still feeling red and foolish; "the only way cal
make amends IL by helping yon or"
80 commenced a violent struggle with mypaddlc
aoRs s wns but I'm Unable 70 bulge an ins
My companion In misfortune, fully appreclatnl
the absnrdliy OF the spectacle, burst into ut o
! laughter, which she sirOve In vain to check.
81 am glad," sail j, an paused Tor want o
breath, " that afford you some amusement"
% %on aay ~ na' ya" nsp S
lnously; VI am quite aware owe you some com
Al Ills point there was a rustling in the bushes;
| big black dog appeared, and, descending TO tn
| waters edge, began TO bark joyously.
"iiere's Hector" said she, "thcn Bertie's not ia
| i inwardly hoped Berthe might not be youni
man inclined to give himself airs.
l Az she spoke the owner OF the dog stepped from
| behind the bushes. He wasa pce-looklng hoy o
about twelve, whom guessed s 70 he her brother ON
Then perceivng the nature of our dilemma he be
gan to laugh. r..
! "Don't stand laughing there, you foolish boy,
40 he gave us each vigorous push, and off W
went down the stream together, chatting alcably
until few yards further we reached private land
Of Old red brick. < man rolling the lawn came I
help Edith 10 disembark-a wrinkled old fellow VIII
seemed TO watch me with suspicion
1 returned her Kind little bow by raising my ha
with dmcaltyior oil solicitations from canoe az
she disappeared behind the laurel bushes on her wa
to the house. had the misfortune 10 run into tn
young lady, said to the man.
| $50 HeeA,n said he.
"who lives thereg' inquired with nod towar
| the house.
| "Mrs. Lyall.n
"lhc young lady ID Mas Lyail, lhen?"
| "Yes.n
We looked at one another fora moment wante
to ask some more questions, but evidently the grin
visaged gardener did not intend TO crafty my cur
oslty.
| your way"
| "very good,n said /; "I'yc no wish to trespass.
SO padded home thinking about my. new az
quantance
My boaiInan, In answer to my inquiries, told m
| that Airs. Lyal was u widow AMI that che had NV
children.
| nThe Young lady's slunner,n he observed en-