The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1891-09-12
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HER HUSBAND.

II is now over four years since l. Eliza.
beth Graves, first met Dora Hamilton. 1t
was at Nice, on a brilliant day in Febru-
AIRY. | had just recovered from a sharp
attack of typhoid fever and had been sent
TO the Riviera by my physician to com
plete my convalescence. One of his pre-
scriptions was a drive every day when the
weather was fine, and it was strictly fol-
lowed. enjoyed beyond measure my ex-
cursons in the environs of the city the
glorious sunshine the vivid azure of sea
and sky, the rich vegetation-in fact, all
those elements that cause Nice to resemble
a set scene in some magnificent theatrical
spectacle. But | was far from strong
and could endure but little fatigue, and
one afternoon my drive was prolonged far
beyond the point that was either healthful
or prudent. My driver lost his way, and
after circulating about through various
unknown roads for long time, he finally
brought me out on the heights of Cimez
about half an hour after sunset. | was
chilled and exhausted. and seeing the
lights shining in the windows of a superb
villa uncovered in palms and orange trees
near which we were passing, | called to
the coachman to stop. and sent my maid
IN TO ask the lOdgekeeper for glass of
wine. This was brought by a kind
hearted, motherly looking old woman.
who seeing my pallor and my half faint
ing condition, insisted upon my alighting
and coming in to rest. Twas so spent and
weary that it was impossible for me to re-
fuse. was scarcely installed, however,
when handsome equipage dashed
through the gates. there was a brief par
ley between the lodgekeeper and the new
arrivals. and lady entered the little
room where was seated, all eager kind
ness and hospitality, who introduced her
self as Mrs Hamilton. the tenant of the
villa
must come at once to the house, she
said impulsively had been ill? Then
! must wait and rest. and take some re-
freshmen. And her brother, DR.. Somers,
was physician. and would know exactly
what TO do for me. My own carriage
could come back for me later-that is, if
1t would not be best for me to stay all
night. So half coaxing, half compelling,
she hurried me into her landau, and
found myself in few minutes safely en-
scOnced III an arm chair in the elegant
drawing room of the Villa Vittoria $50
called because the crown princess of Rus
STA had once spent week there), with
wine and biscuits and tea set out on a
little table beside me, and a bright fire
blazing Oh the hearth
DR.. Somers. tall, grave looking gen
tleman, came in, felt my pulse, and de-
clared that | was in need only of a few
hours of thorough repose. And then l
took a good look at the lady who had so
suddenly and unexpectedly become my
hostess.
| think she was one of the loveliest
women | have ever seen in all my life
She was not positively beautiful, but she
was exquisitely graceful. with tall,
slender figure that reminded me, in its
litheness and swaying movements, of the
stem of Gala lily. Her features were
delicate and finely cut, her eyes most
lovely, being large and transparent, of
soft yet lustrous gray. Her complexion
had the pearly whiteness and varying
blush rose tints of a person in fragile
health; and indeed her whole aspect gave
the impression of one that had suffered
much and patiently endured 1t is i'm
possible for me to give by description any
idea of the fascination of her manner, or
the peculiar sweetness of her low, musical
voice, that seemed to hold caress in each
of its melodious tones. She wore an ele-
giant costume in gray crepe de Chine, and
bonnet trimmed with clusters of pale
tinted violets; and the refinement and
delicacy of her aspect appeared to be con-
tinued in her attire.
| had never heard of Mrs. Hamilton,
and Nice is not precisely the place where
it is safe to form haphazard acquaintance,
but it was impossible for me to resist the
winning charm of that fair ladys voice
and manner introduced myself as well
as | was able. though she declared that nc
consultation of my identity was necessary,
and after she had laid aside her bonnet
she came beck and sat down beside me-
and began to talk with the naive frank
ness of a child.
I'VE have come to Nice for the winter
my husband and l, she said, "for Edgar
is delicate Gnd cannot endure the cold Of