The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1890-09-12
A AWOMAN OF SPIRIT.
BY LILY TYNER.


NV poor, dear husband had been
dead two years and over, ard, though
l still wore ny mourning. tempered
with the nipst becoming of heliO.
trope. had begun to feel quite rec.
onciled to my vidOWhOUd. The dear
man had been ever generous during
his life time, as well became one
more than thirty years the senior of
MS wife. and, Gying, had left me
we'll provided fer. There was my
city house and my rent roll, my var
ious securiti' ) and my cottage by the
sta. Many ybung woman bad
greater cause for discomfort. So |
reasoned and forthwith determined
to cheer up and take a more active
interest in life. was down at my
cottage for the summer. My chaper-
one was with me, tut began to long
for companions of my own age. Ii
occurred to me that might ask some
of my girl friends to come and Stay
with me. | picked out two Of nv
bridesmaids and wrote them. Not
long after / received ,WO letters and
was OveUoved at their contents.
One was from L iith Westcott, a
Boston friend. 1t read: your
most kind letter receiys,.. 1t will
ggiSa me pleasure TO 90 to- You next
week. l will let sou Know by tele-
graph. Mother wishes to be remem-
Dered. Your most loving freud" :"
etc., etc.
The other was from Charlotte-or
Charlie, as she liked to be called
Foster. 1t was to the first as pres
tissimo is to allegro. 1t said "You
dearest darling! | will fly to you
[ am dyidg to tell you of all my lat
est triumph. l will talk you to
death. 1t seems century since we
laSt met. Meet me day after to-mor-
row morning. Your own,' etc, etc.
Edith was two y ears CharlOtte's
senior, but it was not all difference
in age. However, they were both
children of fortune and my very dear
friends. And how they would
brighten up the cottage L could very
we'll imagine. for the cottage was a
little sombre, though l pride myself
on its general arrangement. The in
terror was just as l could wish it. A
wide passage through the centre; a
good-sized room on the right. with
polished floor for dancing and pi.
ano; back of this the dining-room
on the left a sItting-room, rather
luxuriously furnished. for the sea-
side back of this and connected by
a doorway draped with portiere ol
antique lace, a small library reading
room. The upper chambers were
mostly sleeping-rooms.
/ spent the afternoon seeing thai
everything was properly arranged
and next morning went down to
| meet Charlie Foster.
SIS Edith coming ?" she asked. al
most the first thing, for L had writ
ten her should ask Edith.
"Yes," answered ; 'she'll arrive
later"
ibid you know she is engaged ?"
"To be married? No; to whom
and when 90
II don't know him." said Charlie
tossing her pretty head. He is
| Mr., HaSkell-Of Boston, of course
Charlie was perfect little beauty
She stood about five feet two inche
and weighed 125 pounds. Her eye
were hazel and danced like sea waite
in the sun her hair was splendid
mass of golden chestnut. She was
precious lump of vivacity.
Four days after arrived Edit
Westcott. Edith was very tall az
slender. .exceedingl pale, with black
lashed serious gray eyes. Her hal
was black, without a thread of color
She was the quintessence of grace
moving deliberately, laughing softly
and speaking always in a low tone
We three were happy enough dun
ing the first few days, chatting t.