Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1893-08-08
DARKNESS

LIGHTOUTOF DARKNESS
By Nm. HENRY WARD BEEoHER
lcopyrisht isR By Cooley Publishins Com
CHAPTERL
Near one Of our largest cities. easy Of
access to tho business thoroughfsres, .
stately mansion has stood for many
years, overlooking Q scene OF unusual
beauty. Immense resources must have
been at the owners command to enable
him thus to realize the conceptions Of Q
faultless taste. Residences are not rare
that betoken abundant wealth. but often
one can easily detect discrepancies that
are unmistakable evidence Of unrefned
taste and . love Of splendor that has
outrun the means Of uniform gratihca-
ton. An imposing or snowy front 10
too often united with cramped or shab-
by outbuildings, and unightly arrange
ments In the rear are veiied by some
fanciful device too feeble to conceal the
secret.
Without the tabled ring Of invidbility
either very little imagination would
lead to correct idea Of the interior OF
such pretentious dwellings. Throw back
the heavy curtains, seldom allowed to
admit free light and air, and the parlors
will be found filled. not furnished, with
objects Of great value and beauty, It
may be, but In nowise harmonious with
the appropriate furniture or colors OF
the apartments where they are found.
Bargains from some insolvent debtors
forced sale, perhaps, and bought a. be-
ing "all we can hope to obtain, and they
will answer to ill mp Just here" The
owners eye has never been trained to
shrink painfully from such unfortunate
combinations.
Pass from the parlors to the dining
room. II here the various articles were
only suited and arranged with pure taste
or for home comfort and enjoyment,
how attractive we should find Ill How
dazzling the exhibition Of cut glass and
silver, how beautiful the rich snowy
damask-if displayed for guests Of dis
tinction or fashioni II not, drop these
curtains, close the door and pass far
back to q wing Of the house, the common
dining and sitting room-untidily kept
and penuriously furnished. The table Is
spread for only the family. Is that bill
Of fare invitingi VIII anticipations OF
It quicken q weary husbands honeward
steps or call soft and loving smiles to
children released from the close air OF
the schoolroomi Are these carelessly
dressed young ladies, idly lounging on
the dilapidated sofa, impatiently await
ing the tardy meal. the same, 90 elab-
orately attired and brilliant with jewelry,
for whom you half lost your heart last
evening ut the grand ballf
But this Is hardly kind. II any pre-
fer 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 sdigres-
sion the contrast may "show unto you .
more excellent way"
II requires o moro experienced OBJ
server than the writer to give any just
idea of the mansion to which your atten-
ton Is recalled. You see true grandeur
combined with exquisite neatness and
gracefulness-the very ideal OF home
no touch Of coldness or formality, and
from the highest turret 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 q broad landing. to the lofty dome
above all. Sec 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 tho bright
flowers and luxuriant vines, on these
brackets, into the cages near by and
waking up the birtls to q 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
q "glory" on the brow Of that sleeping
babe.
In the magnificent suit Of rooms on
the right the same refreshing union OF
richest beauty and softest repose attracts
you as you enter. The costly curtains,
closed only in the evening. are now
thrown far back. The fragrance from
"a 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. II rests on tho pure brow OF the
beautiful natron 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 1t passes.
How richly the heavy silk falls about
her stately fgurei At this moment, how
ever, we miss the quiet dignity that one
Il wont to associate with stateliness.
One hand plays restlessly with that un.
pretentious ring on the other. and as her
fingers press the golden band do we not
know well how her heart repeats the
loving words that years ago bound 1t
therel Very precious is the costly dis-
mond, the ''silver wedding" ring. given
when Is years Of married life have
passed, as full Of happiness "as human
desire can 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
window! The mellow light and fragrant
air Of the glorious "Indian summer, the
profusion of choice flowers, the bright
sutumnal huss Just beginning to enrich
the shrubbery, might well claim her at
tention, but her eye seeks something be-
yond. She waits and watches for tho
expected husband, and the shadow on
her brow would indicate some antici'
pated calamity or trouble.
While thus absorbed tall, noble look
ing young man enters and rouses her
from this unwontcd abstraction. She
meets him with o loving greeting, and
truly, II his face be correct index to his
character, he Is o son for whom mother
nay thank God.
A few moments pleasant conversation
follows, but both are restless and III ss