The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1886-04-08

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A LIFE OF LUXURY.
A little French gilt timepiece ticking
one Of Murray hilrs fine residences
struck the half-hour beyond o'clock on
q recent morning, and while its deep
cathedral note yet echoed upon tho air
there was sudden movement among
the lace hangings of brass bedstead
standing in q recess of the same apart
lnent, md a woman's face locked forth.
Tho room was full of pretty things,
warm with tho blaze Of hickory fire,
and brilliant with the dazzling winter
sunshine, which, filtering through the
draperics of the broad windows, lay in
patches Of light on floor and furnish
ings, but there was nothing one-half SO
pretty, so warm, or so brilliant, no pict-
ure SO sunny or dazzling within the four
walls, as that made by this same face,
tho face Of s. young and lovely woman.
which. flushed from tho pillows downy
cares. tho eyes dewy with sleep. and
tho rumpled chestnut hair framing the
whole in sweet confusion looked out to
sec what had awakened its owner.
''Oh, it's you, you" chattering little
clock" as her eye fell upon tho telltalo
hands. then. before she sank back into
her nest, she leaned out to touch an
electric button within easy reach. A
moment and soft knock prefaced the
entrance of L neat-looking ruiddle-agcd
woman in cap and apron.
Good morning, Barker came from
tho pillows. MY bath, please" and
Iarker opened second door and dis
appeared. In three minutes she was
back standing at the bedside with u
bath gu,.n of thick, soft flannel and q
pair OF low shoes, warm and wOolly.
The young woman got up, suffered the
flannel garment to bo thrown over her
lace and cambrc night dross, thrust two
whito feet into the waddcd shoes, and
crossed to the bathroom.
Barker only waited to take from
various dr3Hycrs and presses an outfit Of
feminind} }apparcl. finished with an em-
broidel&t muslin combing gown whose
ribbons were OF tho same pale-pink hue
as tinted the silkon stockings, before
she vanished Il second time, and the
room was left to the clock and the fire,
with occasional mutiled splashinSs from
the naiad in her tub.
But not for long. The hall door un-
closed again to admit IL tall old ncgress,
black N Ercbus, her head bound in IL
brilliant bandana. She shutlied to the
door OF the bathroom and knocked.
''Ez you ready, honcy?"
"ln moment, mammy,' sounded
from within; then:
You may come now," and once
snore tho fire. and clock had it all their
own way in the outer apartment.
Next Barker reappcarcd bearing q
silver tray, on which was cup of bonil-
Ion with somo wafcr-likc crackers. She
had scarcely placed her tray upon q
St&nd and wheeled u luxurious turkish
chair before the cracking fire when the
inner door was flung wide open and,
fresh from her plunge and glowing with
came ont, her flannel gown wrapped
warmly about her and her beautiful
hair still closely snooded in its oilskin
cap.
She sank with supple grace into her
waiting chair. the stand with its light
refreshment. quickly lifted to her side
then. as the fire cleaned too ardcntly
on the soft, clear skin, Barker inter,
posed glass screen, which tempered
the hamo's fervor, while it took nothing
from lt6 CU08Tlul llRnl.
While the bouillon was slipped and the
crackers munched nanny brought q
low hassock. upon which 1hc drew hel
young mistress feet, and with gentle
caressing touch put aside the wadded
shoes and incased each slender ankle
and arched instep in its silken covering
using silver shoe-horn Of exquisit,
workmanship TO spring the little satir
slipper to its place.
Then mademoiselle stood up while th'
black hands went deity on with tn,
task they loved so well.
"You's Jest like cz if you was a BABY
yet honey" tho old woman said, pat
ting the lovely shoulders which ros,
smooth and dimpled above the cobwol
'chemlsei and, Deed, wish you was,
as she slipped the clinging pettiooat o
knitted SIX oyer her charges head.
Aadenloiselle laughed, and the dress
Ing went on till. the last ribbon OF IL,
muslin gown tied. nanny was forcef
reluctantly enough to resi- gn her i nCrs
ling to another'S care.
For Barker had not been idle durin,
the robing process. The bouillon tran
Apd stand were gone; low dressing
table whose beveled mirror was the per
feotion Of reflective excellence had beer
turned, to catch the proper light al
armloS6 chair placed before it, and now
thanked by her implements of Office
rows Of Bllver-mounted brushes ant
combs, steel pins, pomadcs, and per
fumed water-the priestess of the hair
dressIng ceremonial awaited her victim
Madonoiselle seated herself, Barker
slipped off tho oilskin cap, loosenet
sotne pins, letting the veil Of ohestnu
hair fall In wavy richness quite to th,
floor, and began her work. AS the tire
woman laboRed her mistress let her oyes
stray idly before her, and her Rlanc,
fan UPON q little crystal vase upon th,