The weekly sentinel. [volume] (Winston-Salem, N.C.) 1886-1887, 1886-10-14
tALl.R
JUST AFTER THE WAR.
Htn for The Ueekly Sentinel Berne
author of Mss LiAgohn.'
CHAPTER XIII.

The change from Bellies to Mrs.
Rebecca's is like going from crowd
ed conservatory into large flower
garden.
Bellies house is elegantly furnished,
~carpeted with the hsndsomest car
pets-so soft that you never hear your
own foot fall. Then there are num-
bers Of mirrors, rejecting your image,
in every direction, so that one has the
feeling of being pursued. There are
statues and paintings, and all sorts OF
fine things; but the whole house has
the appearance of being dressed up
for company, and feeling uncomfort-
ably dignifed in consequence.
Now Mrs. Rebecca has handsome
things, too, but the parlors are for her
own use so is all the elegant furni-
ture. 1t is home, bright and cheer
full, while Bellies, to me, is hand
some, yet dismal, prison. So much
for the difference in people, affecting,
as it does, even their habitations.
Bellies, under Mrs. Deane's magic
touch, would in one week lose all its
sombre aspect, I'll wager.
The doctor and his wife are the
most thoughtful, congenial couple |
ever saw, and the honeymoon isn't
over even vet, and he says lit never
shall terminate"
DIR. Fenwick calls to see me but
seems rather distant. hear from
Mrs. Rebecca that he is soon to be
married. So much for constancy.
However, | don't blame him. 1t is
better to cling to some defined happi-
ness than to chase shadow throug h
lifetime
l return to Bellies in time to cele-
brate my nineteenth birthday, by re-
ceiving with her on New Years day
| am not anxious to be present it
seems 50 recent since we buried our
Jesse that to me so much gayety is out
of place and distasteIul But Belle,
who, whenever she mentions our de-
parted one, does so with a great gusto
of feeling, which, however, / notice,
subsidies upon the slightest provoca-
ton.
Strange to say, Belle is extremely
bent upon this affair, and of my par
ticipating. As this is somewhat I'M
usual, | comply, with suspicious on
the alert. She even presents me with
a costly dress for the occasion. [ feel
so uncomfortably fine in it, I am GER
tainly in keeping with the furniture
/ wonder at Bellies whim concerning
me, until my suspicious are confirmed
late in the afternoon, by the appear
ance of Conrad Maitland
This is our first meeting since his visit
to our town, as he has just returned
from abroad, where Belle informed
NE upon my arrival, the whole family
were sojourning.
He comes towards me seeming elm
measurably pleased as he says, ''to
see me again, and will give himself
the great pleasure of doing it often,
since | am 50 near To all which |
listen silently, after making few in
4uiries concerning the family, etc.
Poor Conrad, as boy, was simple
enough, but as a man, he is truly
ridiculous, made more so by fashion
and style, as he is gotten up in the
very latest agony. He reminds me Of
a wooden figure, clothed as an adver-
tisement, for his features display no
more vivacity of expression than if
carved in wood.
Belle is perfectly overpowering in
her attentions to him, and lavish in
her invitations for him to come often.
[ wonder if she thinks l will bite
this bait? 1 see through her little
scheme /; one fortune in our family is
not sufficient; she would have two,
and sell me, as she did herself, for one.
The only visit / really enjoy is that
of my music teacher, Professor Hail.
He brings food of sunshine with
him, and somehow l feel the year will
be better for his good wishes.
next return to my school duties,
and time flies by on rapid wings. Ar
chic drops in upon us for single
night, then vanishes as suddenly and
unexpectedly as he came. There is
slight trace, but ah! how slight, of his
old self. He is a handsome man, in
spite OF the ravages of dissipated life,
which will imprint their indelible
characters wherever they wander.
1 almost regret having seen him,
since the remembrance leaves nothing
of pleasant nature He is fitful in
his moods, and not good company, as
in his boyhood days. He greatly ad-
mires Bellies husband, whom he fans
around like a sycophant. I wonder if
money isn't at the bottom Of his adj
rairation? | suspect that is what
brought him here, and this suspicion
was verified, when I overheard
brother Phillip tell Belle she must
think he was made of money let Ar
chic take care of himself. Belle
seemed sulky for few days, so her
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