Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1889-10-17

a COOU1y LEdFcl1uk carriage WAS WdlLluE
for them, and the burly, colored ooachmau
looked curiousfy, yet respectfully, at Isabel
as she caEe forward, for the news had
spread among the older colored people thai
missy Alicia's" Iong-lost daughter was
coming, and this faithful fellow had been
on the place ever since he was born, before
the war as slave, since as hired serv.
ant
A ride of few miles through lovely
scenery brought them to the natural park
OF elms, from which the place was named
Elm Park, the carriage winding through
them, past miniature lake, and bank after
bank of roses and other fewers, which,
though not in bloom, were yet green and
suggestive Of their summer beauties. The
house was a fine specimen of a Southern
home, wide verandas on all sides, support
ed by heavy pillars, around which twined
wide-spreading branches of the lovely Bal
timore Belle, Marechal Mel rose and clus-
tering clematis.
Ny dear girl, welcome, thrice welcome
to our hoIle," said Mrs. Darlington, tall,
stately lady, who came out upon the veran-
da to meet them, taking her in a warm
embrace.
'And here is Caroline, waiting 20 vel
come ber cousin" said the Major, as tall,
| graceful girl, and the image Of her mother,
came to the door of the hall, while Mrs.
Darlington gracefully welcomed Mr.. Fal-
coner and Oracle. Caroline grasped Isa-
bel's hand with cousinly warmth, and then
introduced her to Adelaide, her sister, also
tall and graceful, but with more of the Car
rington style of features.
Isabel could scarcely control her emotions
as she entered the house, though she could
not have analyzed her feelings, but Mrs.
Darlington coming in was quick to observe
and assign a reason for her agitation, and
kindly led her to small sitting room on
the hall, and, summoning portly colored
woman, she gave directions that the guests
should be taken at once to the rooms they
were to occupy.
'Dinner will be served in about an hour,
| if that will give you time to rest," said the
Major, as they were ascending the stairs.
'Plenty of time," replied Mr.. Falconer.
"a bath and five minutes nap will render
me, at least, capable Of doing full justice to
your hospitality"
my darling" said Mr.. Falconer, tender
ly. as Dinah, after stirring the fire in the
CRATE, which was, at this season Of the
year, necessary even in the sunny South,
and showing Isabel where to find clothes
press and bath rooms, at last disappeared.
He saw that she was on the verge OF
tears, and drew her to his arms. 81 am so
strangely happy" she said, as she leaned
her head upon his sheltering breast and
burst into tears Of excitement
st is wonderful experience for you,"
he said, smoothing her hair gently, as he
removed her hat, "and you have need of all
your fortitude to take you through it with
out over-taxing your nerves." She was
trembling even now like leaf.
"How selfish l am" she said, otter she
had become more calm. 81 forgot in my
own thoughts how weak you are STILL" for
he was trembling, too, in his sympathy for
her. "Forgive me, DEAR" and she in her
turn became the comforter, and forced him
to lie down upon an easy couch, while she
opened trunks, and made preparations for
the toilet.
They were large, airy rooms which had
been given them, the windows opening out
upon delightful prospect, with distant
Richmond just appearing in view.
"Oh, how funny" said Oracle, who had
been exploring the bedrooms and looking
from the windows. "There's Just ever so
many little bits of houses out this way;
does Major Darlington have tenement
houses to rent?F
"Yes, my dear" replied her father,
smiling at her naLIral mistake; shut the
tenants are his own working g-people-these
colored people you raw about the place
who, with their families, occupy these
houses"
Meanwhile a discussion was going on be-
low. ashes pure Carringlon, isn't she!''
said Caroline, as she languidIy dropped into
a chair.
"The very image OF Chester" said Mrs.
Darlington.
"Her eyes and hair will remind you of
the Major. "By the way, where Is Ches-
terl'
"He is having one of his gloomy fits to-
day." answered his wife, "and though l
told him his daughter was coming, it seemed
to make no impression upon his mind, and
he has wandered off,"
He isn't alone?" said the Major, little
anxiously.
"Oh, no. / sent Pompey after him as
usual, and he will take care Of him."
Il wonder Mrs. Pembroke is not here,''
said Adelaide, looking from the window.
81 fear meeting so many of US at once is
going to be very exciting for Cousin Isabel
noticed her hand trembled in mine when
took it."
"She is not looking as well as when saw
her." said Major Darlington. "Her hus-
bands sickness has, doubtless, been a
strain upon her nerves."
Mamma, oughtn't tDe to send Lizette
and Cato to help them dressr'
81 hardly know what they have been &C
customed to,'' replied Mrs. Darlington.
people live so differently in the North and
South"
"I think, my DEAR" laughed the Major,
"that my niece would consider dressing.
maid nuisance"
"Well, am sure If / were obliged to
comb my own hair, should soon decide to
wear it cropped close" said Adelaide,
| laughingly, giving her fine head, adorned
with heavy braids, q toss.
"Still, If you had always been accus-
toned to being your own hair.dresser," re.
marked Caroline.
"Habits are inexorable things" said
Mrs. Darlington, "and, for the present, ]
will send Lizette to inquire If Mrs. Fal.
! coner would like her assistance In dress
ing"
A neat colored girl made her appearance
/ in answer to the bell, and Mrs. Darlington
gave her her directions.
"Pears. like dem Northern ladies amt
fust quality no how" was Lizette's dis
satisfied comment as she descended the
stairs, after Isabel had kindly declined her
services at her toilet. She had never been
accustomed to such assistance, and looked
upon it as more of hindrance than help,
except in exceptional cases. "But, den, ]
specs it all in de brungin' up" she con-
cluded, philosophically.
A carriage was at the door as Lizette
reached the hall, and Major Darlington was
handing out an old lady with tender re-