Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1891-11-14
HELEN.

IKE utI hdOei MtItitloIe hoOheu ibiS
and closely at the portrait before her and
then turned to survey herself in a long
oval mirror that hung on the opposite
wall She made pretty picture as she
stood there. the dark wainscoating and
heavily carved furniture of the old room
forming striking background for the
slender, girlish figure in the soft white
gown. The sun streaming through the
low windows FURNISHED the andirons in
the great fireplace and played with the
golden tints in her soft brown hair. Yes,
there was almost a startling resemblance
between the face in the picture and the
one reflected in the mirror.
1t was Mabel's first visit to her fathers
home, for she had been born in the gay
city of Paris. Since her birth her father
had only crossed the Atlantic on flying
trips, never bringing his daughter with
him. When Mabel was in her 18th
year he was called to China and it was
judged wisest to send Mabel to America
during the two years absence. She had
never seen any of her fathers relatives
and could not help feeling a little shy as
ney. But all shyne . vanished with the
first warm welcome. Even the servants
joined in it. Aunt Liza hurried from
the kitchen, where she was preparing one
Of those hot suppers known only TO Vir-
ginia, and mamma hobbled in "lest TO
take look at Masser Charles blessed
chile, while old Uncle Jake stood, haiti
hand, bowling and grinning with delight
at the sight OF Little Missy"
1t had been too late to see the place
that night, but next morning she began
her Investigations. @Let me find out
things for myself Aunt Pine, she said,
"and Ill ask you to explain them after
ward" She found the homestead more
quantity beautiful than the brightest
picture she had drawn Of it. The house
stood on a gentle rising that stretched
out on one side into a broad. green
meadow bordered by pine woods and
cornfields. while on the other it rolled in
a gentle slope down to the white beach,
where the waves Of the bay Tapped and
rippled beneath the few spruce trees that
dropped over the bank. The mansion
was built of little irregular bricks, the
windows low and paned with small dia-
mond panes. A broad hall traversed the
center of the house and ended i'm square
porches, one facing the bay, the other
commanding a view of the road winding
through the cornfields until lost to view
among the pines. The rest of the house
struggled off into long passages, unex-
pected wings, and great chimneys. break
ing out in the most remarkable places,
while over all climbed the creamy fra
grant mycrofilla roses, winding their
clinging tendrils around the old pillars,
shedding their fragrance through the
wide sunny halls, and peeping in ut the
dormer windows. Inside the house was
a wilderness of spindle legged tables,
heavy carved furniture, and dainty egg
shell china.
After fully examining all these charms
Mabel had at last come to the family por-
traits, before one of which she now
stood. 1t was truly a beautiful face,
the face of young girl not more than
49, The rosy lips were parted slightly in
a smile that dimpled the fair cheeks, but
in the deep violet eyes there was half
thoughtful, half sad expression that was
strangely fascinating Mabel, yielding
to its influence, stood for some time as
though transtixed and turned with a
start when shrill little voice at her ell
bow said; "Oh, miss, she says, please
fur to come to you dinner" In the
afternoon grandma went to take her nap
and grandpa nodded in his chair. Mabel
stole out to the porch where Aunt Prue
was knitting. Tell me about Aunt
Helen, she said: II saw her picture to-
day and papa said looked like her Her
aunt paused in her work and looked in
tently at tire fair girl seated on the broad
white steps and then let her eyes drift
dreamily out on the blue waters of the
bay. "You know. Mabel, that there were
four OF US. Fred was the oldest, hand
some, kind, and generous, but proud and
hothsaded; 1 came next, then your
father, who spent most Of his time with
one of my mothers brothers in France,
and, last of all, Helen, the pet and pride
of every one on the plantation from
father down to the humblest field hand.
She was the very life of the place, al
ways bubbling over with fun, always
sweet and carefree as the very roses that
dance so gaily over your head. But
sometimes there was an expression in her
eyes that could not understand, anu
even in the midst Of her fun she was far
more thoughtful than other girls OF her
age. She was very beautiful and many
suitors came to beg for her hand, but
she only smiled half sadly. sent them
away, and went on her sweet. happy
way. Fred was very proud of her and
delighted in bringing his friends home
with him from college to see his beaati-
full sister. We had gay limes in those
days. The house was always fnl of
young people. Great entertainments
were given and they danced in the halls
to the notes of fiddIes played by the ne
groes. How it all comes back 10 me-
the blazing tapers shedding their soft
light on the merry dancers; but Nell was
the fairest of all the girls; none of the
lads were as handsome as Fred: no one,
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