Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1889-09-27
CHATTER NV.

st. Lawrence was not long in availing
himself of Mrs. Dalton'S permission
to call. lie appeared at Ivy Cottage
early i'll the following week, Il we'll
filed slIetch-boOk under his arm.
1t was Il warm evening; the bay-win-
dow of the pretty drawing-rOOm stood
open. and the scent of lilac, hawthorn,
and other spring blossoms came waited
in with the breeze. Lena sat at the
window, with a mOrsel of laCe-wOrk in
her hand; she looked lovely in her spot
less white dress, and was perfectly con-
scious that she did so. Bertha, on the
contrary, was pale, and appeared tired.
She had seated herself i'll the shadow of
the curtain, in order to rest her eyes.
The day was hot for the early season;
she had been ut Miss BeaumOnt's school,
where she had many pupils, some of
whom were SO totally wanting in both
ear and taste for music that she felt the
lessons only waste of time on both
sides-and this added greatly 20 her IA
tigue. Mrs. Dalton reclined in a lOung-
ing-chair, a novel in her hand.
They all for different reasons united
in Welcoming st. Lawrence. Mrs. Dal-
ton was always glad of Change-Of
anything that saved her the trouble of
amusing herself. Lena was ready to
seize the opportunity of deepening the
impression she had already made; and
Bertha was pleased with the prospect
of turning over the Sketch-bOOk.
St Lawrence delighted in female So
Ciety-the more SO. perhaps, as cirCum-
stances had offered him few opportuni-
ties of indulging his taste in that direc-
ton. This elegant little home, Mrs.
DaltOn'S pleasant, cordial manner, and
the beauty and grace of at least one of
its inmates charmed him. He COngrat-
ulated himself on obtaining an intro
duction to family with whom he might
occasionally pass an hour So agreeably.
If Lena'S beauty had struck him at
first sight. he seemed only to be aware
of its perfection now that he saw her
Mt home -plaitS of golden hair crown
ing her lovely head, soft white drapery
floating about her graceful form-and
to Lena he devoted himself for the first
part of the evening. During the hour
or two in which the Sketch-hook was
displayed, he felt chilled and diSappoint-
ed Lena protested a love for art. and
declared that of all things she delight
ed in sketching from nature; but st.
Lawrence soon found that she had no
knowledge of the subject. and began
strongly to suspect that she had no real
feeling. lie was not the man To admire
n shallow or ignorant observation be-
cause it fell from beautiful lips; and,
almost involuntarily, his eyes sought
Bertha'S cOuntenance, as she turned
over the booH.
He could not but notice how the jad-
ed look vanished from her face, how
her color rose. her eyes frightened, and
the thought passed through his mind
that Douglas was right; that this girl
was lovely with n far more SpirthUel
beauty than her elder sister.
After the sketches had been turned
over and the book closed, they sat by
the open window talking through the
long twilight. st. Lawrence had tray
eled through many lands, and was an
accurate observer of men and things.
Topic after topic presented itSelf-Ber-
tn. 5 intelligent questions and bright
observations, sometimes tancifUl. some
serious keeping the conversation
alive. Mrs. Dalton. unless she could
ran on III her own way upon some topic
OF momentary interest, was too indo-
lent to talk, even if she had been en-
dowed with any conversational powers.
Lena had no idea of any necessity for
eNerting herself. or she would probably
have made some effort on the present
occasion. 1t was enough for her to look
and Smlle-and she did smile on the
young painter, making no
doubt but that she was raising him to
the seventh heaven by her condescen-
sion.
They were sitting by the bay-window,
looking into the garden: the sun was
setting to the right. casting long Shad-
owS from the trees across the lawn;
bands of gray clouds interSected the
amber sky, taking a tinge of rose on
their edges-a tint of pale. pure green
interviewed between the gold below and
the blue above.
What lovely sunset What glori-
Gus colorsi" Bertha exclaimed, as she
sat opposite her sister, fronting the
sun.
I think few people are sufficiently
impressed by the beauty of color" re-
marked ST. Lawrence. Il believe in
nine cases out of ten those who profess
to admire jewels and flowers world turn
with Indifference from the splendoY Of
the sky, or with perhaps 4 more casual
observation, chiefly relating To its prom
lse of iiae weather But only look what
jewel radiance is displayed before us