Wichita eagle., 1888-05-06

evenings were usually enlivened by the
presence of numerous young gentlemen
from the city, and tableaux, charades and
music had by turns engaged our attention.
But on this particular evening of which
write I was the victim Of that foe to beauty
and good temper, influenza, so | had per-
suaded my young friends to go to party, to
which we had been invited, without me.
Every thing had been done for my comfort,
and l was cozily ensconsed in large easy
chair, III front of the library fire. Ny host
had been reading to his wife and me, and l
think must have been doing, for when he
stopped l suddenly jumped up and ex-
claimed in the prim style Of my child
hood: ayes, ma'an." Mrs. Ralston run to
me, and said: W hat are you talking about,
Jean"
81 thought that lady spoke to me, said,
rubbing my eyes and joining IN the laugh at
my expense, as I pointed to the portrait of a
handsome lady, hanging over the mantle. l
had often noticed it. The face was hand
some, not beautiful, the eyes were black and
piercing, the mouth and chin showed de-
cision, while the splendidly-shaped head
and high forehead denoted intellect of no
mean order. Her abundant hair was dressed
high, and profusely powdered. She wore
scarlet satin robe with an immense train,
open over white satin petticoat. The waist
was filed in with lace, the sleeves were
short with large puffs, while long, white
silk mits covered her hands and arms.
The figure was tall and we'll developed,
the position was dignifed and graceful.
You felt that here was woman born to
command, and with ability to do it wisely,
too.
"Oh,n said Mr. Ralston, tiny stately an
cestTess summoned you, did shes She is
regular aristocrat, isn't Sheep
"Yes,"I replied, enthusiastically; "she
looks like born Queen. Please tell me
about herr
"Well," he said, 81 will tell you the story
as have heard my grandfather tell it. His
father was a circuit judge in Western
Pennsylvania, and at the time of which l
speak was about thirty-nve years old, and
very handsome, of course. His duties led
him to travel through his district, and at
that day he journeyed on horseback On
one of these jaunts he found himself in
lonely spot in the mountains, and as both
he and his horse were tired end hungry, he
was glad to see in the distance a small
farmhouse. Putting spurs to his horse, he
soon reached the fence opposite the door.
IhO SOUIiu Va LIS apptOdti uItH VIC idiHify
to the door; SO he politely accosted the
mother and asked if he could get some re-
freshment for himself and horse. She
agreed, and 4 tall, 1.-the girl Of about fifteen
darted out and, resting her hands lightly on
the fence, vaulted over it, and, as he had
dismounted, she, with an alertness which
amazed him, leaped into the saddle, and
saying: II will take your horse to the
stable and feed him, SIR" rode off.
He conversed with the woman, and found
her a shrewd, sensible person, though I'M
cultured. That they were poor, he could see
for himself.
The father, he learned, was not strong,
but did his best to support his family, and,
as the woman proudly SAID, "they had
neither starved or begged, and she reck-
oned they never would" She enjoyed the
opportunity of talking to the handsome
stranger, and so he learned most of her his