The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-04-30
MISS GRANDSON.

She came To us in the full glory of au.
tumn's richest coloring, when October
was written on every hill and vale in the
red and yellow tints Of fallen leaves, and
the decpened richness of the Indian sum
mer and atmosphere bathing oil in golden
splendor.
Brother Ralph and | stood on the yer
anda 10 welcome her, and as she came up
tho broad white steps, the mellow autumn
sunlight flashing back from her golden
hair and seeming to hide itself In the dark
depths Of her wondrous brown eyes, she
became associated in my mind with the
rich. dusky beauty. the still glowing
splcndor Of that Incompatible month
October; so | always thought Of her, and
so ] think Of her today
took her small glOvcd hand in mine a
momont with a few pleasant words Of vel
come, then Ralph did the same.
And. ere he reached it, which was not
quite rs soon as ne should have done, |
noticed an unusual flush mount to his
handsome, fair face. and | feared that he
was ia btiEtl VI i'-AiiE ITO 80
outset TO our fair eoyerncss.
Yes, this rare creature was to be our
govefness. Not mine nor Halph's, for we
were long past our school days, but we
had two troublesome young sisters, to
take charge OF whom Miss Grandson had
Travelled a long way. Hers was a singu-
lar beauty. tho like OF which ] had never
seen before. Her complexion. one would
think. should Dee fair 70 match the bright
DAZZLING gold on her hair, but 1t was not;
instead 10 suited her deep brown eyes,
and was what | can only describe as a
creamy olive. with "a spot Of richest Grim
son on either check
She Vas tall and graceful, with an air
that WAS half commanding and "a look. "a
something about Lcr. as ! have said be
fore. which reminded Inc of all the deep
passion Of intensity oi October warmth
veilcd under her %stillcst haze.
Such was Flora Grandson when She
came to as, and it is not surprising that
Ralph's eyes fingered on her lovely face
until he was compelled TO turn them
away for shames sake. Time passed very
pleasantly We lived in the country. or
rather. Just outside of a stirring town,
and we could therefore combine the pleas
urcs Of both city and country life.
How Miss Grandson enjoyed her out
door ramblcs with tho children in the
brilliantly tinted autumn woods Ralph
frequently accompanied them. much to
her ANNOYANCE, it seemed to INC, who
watched with jealous eyes every move
mcnt that indicated his growing interest
in the charming stranger.
We know nothing Of her saw that she
was from a southern city, and was thrown
upon her owl resource for support. But
her beauty spoke Tor Itself. and I felt con-
WINGED the moment that Ralph first set
his eyes upon her that sooner or later she
would break his heart ! wonder why the
thought never truck me that she, a poor
g%overness. would De- glad to win him fora
husband. But it never did
There was not the least sign Of coquetry
about her. nor did she seem to care at all
for his attentions. She accepted them
quietly. s|miliugly. when she could not
evade them, vet ! always felt she would
rather he did not offer them. liked her
for that. though ! couldn't get over the
idea that she would bee his fate.
One day, very late in November, the
sun shone mdiantly and almost a summer
warmth pervaded the atmosphere
Tempted by the beauty Of the scene
donned my hat and cloak and went for a
stroll in tho ~leatess woods. / had not
gone far whom the sound Of Ralph's voice
struck my ear. 1t was strained and des
pairing, and he was saying, oh! how ear
nestly:
For Gods sake. Flora, give me a little
hope
Have | not told You there is none;' !
heard her answer. almost desperately; II
desire that You will never mention this
subject again. Mr. Pcrciyal
Not caring to play the eavesdropper, /
walked away and joined the children, who
were playing some distance further on
Miss Grandson and Ralph had not seen
me But my blood was boiling at the
thought of Ralph suffering through her
When | saw him again the poor boy
looked as white and miserable as any
ghost The next day he LETT as for an ia
definite time. pleading some business ,N
cusc. but | knew well what had driven
him away. loved him dearly. and could
hardly bear the loneliness OF the house
after he was gone
At last %exasperated by her calm,
Q~ueenly loveliness. when my own heart
was aching so, ] vented my sorrow and
displeasure upon Miss Grandson She
was sitting by tho window reading. and
she just raised her eyes to give me one
long, steady look, slightly mingled with
surprise, and then dropped them to her
book again without a word ] then told
her what | had overheard. and repeated
ang1ilv that il was her fault that Ralph
had gone away.
Il am sorry. " she said quietly, that
you heard what you did. No one would
ever have known of your brothers dis
appointment from me. But surely. Miss
Percivai. you cannot say that | have ever
encouraged his unfortunate love either by
word or look.
was forced f. ckuovledp that she