The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1891-12-25

;5&Sys :. evening q his his !!
days in we'll
earned and elegant leisure. Situated
on the high banks Of the Humber, some
miles below the junction of the Ouse
and Trent rivers, the noble mansion
commands q view of rich Wales and
verdant meadows in two counties
those of York and Lincoln-between
which the Humber itself is the dividing
line. Linweod estate, comprising some
twelve hundred acres of fertile fields
and charming woodlands, lies upon the
Lincolnshire side Of the river, even here
greatly affected by the tides, which,
rolling in from the North sea, rise to q
height of twenty-five feet for spring
tide and thirteen feet for neap, at the
old city of Hull not many miles below.
The fortunate owner of this nagnifi-
cent property Is a typical English gen.
tleman proud of and welded to the
traditions of his family, his class and
his country, and strict observer Of So
ciety's conventionalisms; but, withal, q
man Of sterling worth and integrity,
and possessing, beneath the crust of his
somewhat cold and polished exterior, a
kind and generous heart. At the time of
which / write, Col. Howard's family
consisted of his wife, an only son, late
ly come of age, two, daughters, of ten
and twelve years, respectively, and
their governess, Miss Graydon, whose
father, Lieut.. Graydon, then retired
on half-pay, occupied one of the pretty
cottages, number of which Col. How
ard had erected ON various parts Of his
estate. =.
Fair Agnes Graydon! sweet, mother
less, noble girl! wish that could do
justice to the picture she presented
when first saw her; but far more gift
cd pens than mine might essay the task
in vain, for she was, in truth, that inde-
scribable creation--a well-nigh perfect
woman-beautiful as good and good as
beautiful
although but eighteen years Of age,
her faultless form, rather above than
below medium height, was fully devel-
oped in all the contour of its graceful
lines--a lovely casixet enshrining still
more lovely soull Her classic and
proudly-borne head, crowned by a
wealth of glossy chestnut hair, through
which there cleaned at times . faint
suspicion Of gold. was matched by q
face OF purest arecian outline. lighted
up by eyes Of wondrous tenderness and
power, which seemed a reflex of all
womanly virtues, but the color Of
which. beneath their long. sweeping
lashes. no man might tell. as. from dark
gray 10 deepest brown, they appeared
TO change with the varying emotions Of
each passing hour.
BY singular good fortune the Howards
had secured the services Of this glorious
creafuFe. whose scholarly attainments
and iadylike accomplishments were in
strict keeping with her personal charms.
to conduct the education Of their dnugh-
ters, Ethel and Pauline; and most faith
fully she fulfilled the trust. for, under
her earnest and systematic methods not
only did the girls make astonishing prog
ress IN their studies. but were con-
iirmed and strengthened IN every high
and holy impulse By her proeeRls and
example, which ever tended more deeply
10 impress the teachings Of their invalid
mother, FROM under whose immediate
care they were now, necessarily. much
FemeEesl Everywhere the presence Of
Agnes GFaydaa brought life and Joy;
the darkling shadows % a0rrnw and sick
ness seemed - fade away before her
heavenly slallo. snd despair transformed
itself to hops under the ln1aonee Of her
sweet. low vosee. attuned 10 sympathy
with all human suffering. Beloved By
her pupils, deeply respected hy their
parents and almost iiolised By the great
staiI Of servants. no wonder that life
should seen 70 heT well worth ths liv-
ing, the while she eonenlentiously
walked In the strnight and pleasant
path of duty and BY her own honest toll
llghtcned tho hmFdena and nhesFad iha
declining years Of her widowed father,
whose only child she waa aud who,
without her aid. could hardly have en-
isted upon his slender income. Mr..
Graydoa and fragh Howard. the
colonei's aon and hciF, waFs great
frienda. and the young mea preferred
the companlonahip of the old sosllieF ~
that Of almost any one u his naore
youthful acqualnianccA
Horses, boats. auna and rods were
aiUava AZ The veterans services, and
although he ezeFcieef = , lae Discretion
In availing himself u thsaa PFiTlleges,
they were yea q ineatimable salae "a
the eyes of ona whose poverty wonid
otherwise have rendered an lndnlgeneo
In feld snDrls fmpoaaible.
col. Howarf, aomeHhat IpoonFen'
ienced By an cid Wonnd nnf teadeFiy
devoted 10 his inTalid wife, saldom no~
rode 10 houndA BAT his place VS. enly
hllad ~ FFank. who waa one % tne
most dashinR Me@beFm of Ne hnnas and
recognized ieadaE whrge ell uerl
bold nnd daring hor1emau
Very often. when thsrs waa : sroa'
meet. Aisa 0z47don Ard tHelEorFear