Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1891-07-03

an a. tack did they make that Dy night
fall great and fattering improvement
manifested itself throughout the estab-
hshment.
After an early breakfast, Merriwether
drove off to the station to meet his ex-
pected visitors.
found that my friends recollections
of his cousin were in no wise overdraWn.
She was a captivating ;ittle woman.
vivacious and clever, and pretty even
yet.
A great and overwhelming psnG OF
contrition beset me on my introduction
to the daughter, when recalled the i'm
preston had conceived of a gushing,
sentimental young creature. who was to
fall to my especial care.
Annabel Powers was petite and grace
full, with laughing eyes and roguish
dimples, and possessed a disposition at
blending the gentle dignity of woman
hood with the exquisite freshness OF
youth.
Both mother and daughter had ira
veled much, had read with discrimina-
ton and judgment, and, spending most
winters in a Northern metropolis, had
profited largely IN the advantages of
opera, lecture and art, so that we, who
were less favored in these matters, found
their conversation as instructive as it was
entertaining.
On the day after their arrival, while my
friend and his elder kinswoman talked
over the pleasant past, the daughter and
| took a long canter down the shady
country lanes.
She proved better horsewoman than
I expected. Her father, though not
Kentuckian, was devout worshiper of
the horse, and she had learned to ride at
an early age that she might accompany
him in his constitutional" through the
park at home.
The week drew rapidly to an end-all
too rapidly for me, who awoke one morn
ing with the painful thought besieging
my brain that this was the last day our
fair visitors would be with us. They
were to leave on the following morn
ing.
- l have already prolonged my visit
day or two longer than I expected to
do, replied Mrs. Powers to MerriWether's
protest that the visit should not end so
soon. Il fear that when return home
and give the glowing account of Bache-
lor Hall it so richly deserves, and of
Aunt Chloe's unstinted hospitality, Mr..
Powers will not rest satisfied until he has
experienced practical illustration on the
grass-widower plan"
Merriwether had arranged to spend the
day on the cliffs of the Kentucky River,
as the ladies expressed a wish to see some
of the romantic scenery for which the
locality was noted.
In the fresh morning horse and bug
gy and two saddled horses were brought
to the front porch by the general utility
boy, who was to follow in the SPRING
wagon with Aunt Chloe and the lunch.
l was considerably astonished. even
friend Merriwether assisted his lovely
coolly and deliberately vaulted into the
other, advising my companion to keep
watchful eye on me and see that did
not deposit vehicle and occupants into
some of the ravines along the way.
The mother was not less agreeable
than usual, but for once [ failed to be
entertained by her conversational talent,
and felt certain sense of relief when the
clltts were reached.
Whether from this slight incident or
the fact of the near departure of the
guests, some important element in the
days pleasure seemed wanting.
The fair Annabel herself appeared
rather quiet and constrained, I thought,
and even Merriwether had undergone a
change.
Could it be that his fair companion
had been disappointed in her cavalier of
the morning? Presumptive though the
thought was. it afforded me a keen sense
of delight, and I refused to relinquish
There was certainly nothing in the
weather nor in the surroundings to OPP
press me, for the sky was divinely blue,
and the cliffs a lovely and vast mosaic
Of tender green foliage and bright cliff
lowers.
The covetousness of the ladies for cliff
Dora was gratifed until Mrs. Powers at
last besought us to cease our irresistible
offerings, lest her fate should be as I'M
timely and tragic as that of the hapless
Helen of ancient history.
Suppose we reverse the order of
things Somewhat" said Merriwether, as
we prepared to return. So I will drive
Helen back in the buggy, and you
younger people can return together.
am little too corpulent for extended
horseback exercise" he added, apollo
yetically.
Annabel Powers gave him a little
grateful glance that went to my heart
with the swiftness of an electric current,
and sent the glad blood tingling through