The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1893-12-27
CHAPTER l.


beauty. Immense resources must have
been at the owners command to enable
him thus to realize the conceptions of
faultless taste. Residences are not rare
that betolien abundant wealth, but often
one can easily detect discrepancies that
are unmistakable evidence of unrefined
taste and love of splendor that has
outrun the means of uniform gratifca-
ton An imposing or snowy front is
too often united with cralnped or shah
by outbuildings. and unsightly arrange
ments in the rear are veiled by some
fancItul device too feeble to conceal the
secret
Without tho tabled ring Of invisibility
either very little imagination would
lead TO u correct idea of the interior of
such pretentious dwellings. Throw back
the heavy curtains, seldom allowed to
admit free light ana air, ond the parlors
will be found flied. not furnished, with
objects of great value and beauty, it
may be, hut III nowise hal monious with
the appropriate furniture or colors of
the apartments where they are found.
Bargains from some insolvent debtors
forced sale. perhaps, and bought as be-
ing ali we can hope to obtain, and they
will answer to ill nj. Just here" The
owner eye has never been trained to
shrink painfully from such unfortunate
combinations.
Pass from the parlors to the dining
room. IT here the various articles were
only suited aud arranged with pure taste
or for home comfort and enjoyment,
how attractive we should find It'll How
dazzling the exhibition of cut glass and
silver, how beautiful the rich snowy
damask---if displayed for guests of dis
tinction or fashionl If not, drop these
curtains, close the door and pass far
back TO wing of the house, the common
dining and sitting room-rlntidily kept
and penuriously furnished. The table is
spread for only the family. Is that bill
OF fare invitingf VIII anticipations of
it. quicken weary husbands homeward
steps II cah soft and loving smiles to
children released from the close air of
the schoolroom? Are these carelessly
dressed young ladies, idly lounging on
the dilapidated sofa, impatiently await
ing the t;trdy meal, the same, so elab-
oratelv attired and brilliant with jewelry,
for whom yon half lost your heart last
evening at the grand ball?
But this is hardly kind. II any pre-
fet fashion and show to true taste and
solid home comforts, why criticise their
choice unless by returning to the purer
atmosphere which we left for this digres-
sion tho contrast may SHOW unto you
more excellent way"
1t requires more experienced OBJ
server than the writer to give any Just
idea OF the manson to which your atten-
ton Is recalled. You see true grandeur
combined with exquisite neatness and
gracefuness--tho very ideal of home
no touch of GOODNESS OF formality and
from the highest tltrret to the lowest
office about the extensive grounds this
bewitchinG harmony and symmetry
makes the picture perfect.
Now we will enter and stand mo-
ment in the spacious hall. Look up that
winding stairway. Easy of ascent, with
many broad landing, to tho lofty dome
above all. See how the rich sunlight
comes flashing down, gliding those grand
old pictures on the wall--lingering ca
ressingly over the fairy statuette in that
alcove, cleaning through the bright
flowers and luXuriant vines, on these
brackets, into the cages near by and
waking up the birds to a wider gush of
melody-sparkling and twinkling and
scattering diamonds on the golden heads
white arms, bare feet of the little rogues
playing in that pictured brook or placing
"glory" on the brow of that sleeping
babe. $50 %
In the magnificent suit Of rooms on
the right the same refreshing union of
richest beauty and softest repose attracts
you rs you enter. The costly curtains,
closed only in the evening, are now
thrown far back. The fragrance from
ga Wilderness OF sweets" in the garden
perfumes the room, and the free, life
giving sun is shining unchecked over all.
Nothing here need shun its brightest
beams. 1t rests on the pure brow OF the
beautiful matron standing by the deep
recessed window, just touches the few
threads of silver in her luxuriant hair,
gently kisses the still fair cheek and
beauties as it passes.
How richly the heavy silk falls about
her stately figure! At this moment, how
ever, we miss the quiet dignity that one
is wont to associate with statcliness.
One hand plays restlessly with that un-
pretentious ring on the other, and as her
tinge's press the golden band do we not
know well how her heart repeats the
loving words that years ago bound it
there? Very precious is the costly dia-
mond, the '.silver wedding" ring, given
when 25 years of married life have
passed, as full Of happiness las human
desire Gun seek or comprehend" but
every ray of many hued light that flashes
from it can never speak to her with the
magic voice of this simple circlet.
How earnestly the lady gazes from the
windowi The mellow light and fragrant
air of the glorious Indian summer" the
profusion of choice flowers, the bright
antumnal hues just beginning TO enrich
the shrubbery, might we'll claim her at
tention, but her eye seeks something be-
yond. She waits and watches for the
6 expected husband, and the shadow on
her brow would indicate some antici-
pated calamity or trouble.
While thus absorbed tail, noble look
ing young man enters and rouses her
from this unwonted abstraction. She
meets him with loving greeting. and
truly, if his face be correct index to his
character, he is son for whom a mother
may thank God.
A few moments pleasant conversation
follows, but both are restless and i'll at
ease. At length the young man spoke
abruptly.
"Mother, dear, whendo you expect my
father"
Il have been watching here fer him he
last half hour, and surely he must seon
be home"
'tDo you indulge any ve-y sanguine ex-
pectations that our firm can possibly
avoid total failure:"
Al.n.. l.r4..., 4. .n,rr.,, 1, II. Al,nr,