The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-08-15

And now TO have to make over this amiahle
being into domestic tyrant-it was most dis
tasteful. We both felt out of spirits when we
reached our boarding ho1se. Ten years ago,
Miss Sally Asburys house stood on the main
street. IN prime and spacious garden. which
looked like nothing much the howery
demonstration of a geometrical problem, with
its broad paths of shining white sand defining
the triangles. and squares, and circ'es of gera
NUNS, gilly-fowers and pansies. The honse
itself was a fine old succeed mansion, with
Grecian portico Inside the rooms were big
enough for a ball and each room had royal
fire place where the ''lightwood' of the region
made a mighty cracke and blaze Age had
softened gaudy carpets and wall paper to
harmonious dlnglnesS. II was an altogether
DELIGHTFUL house, and Miss Sally-so everyone
called her In the kindly Southern fashion-was
delightful landlady. She comedy gentle
woman. about forty-what matter which
side of the line! Her SOFT thick hair gray,
bat her fresh complexion, bright eyes and fine
carriage made the people turn TO look at her IN
the street. Miss Sally wore black but there
was nothing pensive about our friend. She loved
joke and told good story and frankly enjoyed
pretty clothes and compliments. Best OF all 10
US Miss Sally was q famous housekeeper or the
old Southern school Candor compels me to
state that the frying-pa played Leading part
in the Asbury kitchen, and we certainly had
more hot bread than really good for our
health; but the dishes were delightful to the
palate, whatever they may have done to our di
gestons. Miss Sally mother lived with her.
pretty, faded little woman, always wrapped in
shawl and shiveTing. but having some dregs OF
cheerfulness left. There were ten boarders, be-
sides. OF these all were Northerners save the
Ravenels Possibly that was why the Ravenels
interested us: though | think it more be-
cause, for some reason, Mrs. Ravenel always
kept her room. The Ravenel rooms were at
the end of our hall. DR.. Ravenel. the child, and
Tempe, Mrs Ravenel's maid came and went.
Each morning after breakfast Miss Sally might
be seen going in with a nosegay in one hand and
a silk busting cloth in the other. Half an hour
later she would reappear. retaining the duster
but having left the nosegay. The Ravenel doors
never stood aiar and beyond the smothered
murmur of voices. occasional Whit of
camphor, we had no hint of existence behind
them. L say never never until this very day.
Passing through the hall | saw door open. 1t
was the door through which Miss Sally used to
enter had what the photographers called a
three-quarters view Of an old Southern bed room
An involuntary journey of the eye brought me
| back the limp sweep of worn lace curtains, the
| dull CLEAN of the mahogany bed posts. and the
! twisted legs of a writing desk. the faded roses
| on the chintZ covered chairs, and dimmed rich
ness of the velvet carpet.
1T must have been my ladv'S chamber, y
| said | to Grace, ''but where was sne?"
In point of fact she was then on the way to
| the cemetery, which we, being faster walkers
reached first have related how we saw her.
We took a long walk before returned.
| When we entered the garden DR.. Ravtnel and
|
| the azalea bushes.
| Miss Sally introduced Mrs Ravenel to US.
| saying: Cousin Ro is much better; she's
been taking a walk. ! expect now we've got her
| back We'll keep her with US"
Mrs. Ravenel gave me a quick look which |
| fancied held something Ike appeal in its
! recognition. Il saw you in the cemetery, Miss
| Lawrence" she said land your friend. went
! there; Doctor was scared. | haven't been able
| to leave my room till oday, and he was afraid
hut-hut | cOn0nt
| longer It's my little boys grave, you under
stand" The eyes which she lifted to mine were
| swimming in tears.
| felt very sorry for her. but it was decidedly
| awkward. 1t was a relief to perceive the
| Doctor llmping over to u.s.
| MY dear" he said don't you think you had
better retire? You look fatigued. You see, Miss
| Fredrica. | keep watch on Mistress Ravenel in
double capacity, both as husband and physi-
clan"
Very we'll, Doctor" said Mrs Ravene
meekly "You know best"
She made me little, old fashioned salute
before she walked away on her husbands arm.
How pretty she isl" said to Miss Sally, who
was looking after them. shade on her cheerful
face.
''Well, YES ma'am, I think so, of course" she
answered, with pleased smile. but We are lust
like sister you understand" Then she added
Cousin Ro is very delicate: we have to be care
full of her"
Safe in our own room, Miss Sally gone, we
discussed the Ravenels. l quite frankly said
that thought them queer couple. What is
the matter with herr" said l. why do they
make such a row about her leaving her room?
Why is she so afraid of her husbands 1t is my
opinion that our fne-mannered doctor is a
tyrant."
"Wait WHILE" said Grace She prides her
self upon her judicial way of viewing things.
She inherits it. just she inherlts her tall
figure, and straight nose, and beautiful brown
eyebrows But you have an opnionY" said |.
mot yet" said she.
After this we saw a good deal of Mrs Ravenel
She appeared at dinner and at tea-which was a
sort of supper, with all manner of hot dishes.
The Doctor was very courteous to her. Grace,
who would not hear d word against him. main
tanned that his manner toward her was perfect
but | perceived one thing directly--he was
watching his wife. Scores of times | caught him
stealing chances at her: Grace might call them
chances Of affection They were nothing of the
kind: he was watching her Poor woman, she
was never alone. Miss Sally or Madame Absury
or Tempe were always at her elbow. RIOS
such an invalid, she needs some one always
with her." Mrs Asbury would say. with a sigh.
She seems such sweet woman ventured
| to remark once, but so sad"
Eyes, ma'an," said Mrs Asbury, ''she is sad.
| And WONDER poor Ro's had heaps and heaps
| of troubled"
Her little boys death was great sorrow, l
| supposed"
THE worst of all. Yes maam. You know
! he was drowned. 1t happened during the war
| Doctor was at the front and had been wounded
| Sally and | went to nurse him, and We got him
well enough to move. and We're bringing him
| home. Oh, Miss Lawrence, the first sight his
eyes fell on We drove through the gates of the
| old Plantation was the men bringing the little
dripping body to the house. The poor child had
been ont with his ma and strayed away and fell
into the we'll Such awful scene! Ro took
on awfuly, screaming so you could hear her ont
doors, but Doctor he hardly spoke. But it broke
| his heart all the same, and when the other
troubles came and they lost everything, he
hardly seemed to notice. OF course. all Docto s
| South Carolina property went (he's from South
! Carolina, you know. and then, Ros
property, too. She was great heress,
but they had TO sell everything to pay
the mortgages when the war was over They
clUag to the old mansion for long while; but,
at last, that had to go, too The few thousands
they got over the mortgage Is all they have.
| Doctor gave up his profession after his marriage
| because it took him away from home too much