Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1895-05-22

mer stiffness.
I had met her brother month be-
fore Ill London. We had been school
fellows once upon q time, and when,
after years of separation, we en-
countered and recognized each other,
he gave me an invitation to como and
SEQ him.
Having accepted his invitation and
apprised him Of the day IN | hour of
my arrival, certainly expected to
find some sort OF conveyance await
ing me at the small rustic station.
Such was not the case, so, with the
solitary porter's assistance, engaged
fly to convey me to my destination.
When we stopped before pretty,
low-storied house, whose white walls
were nearly covered with ivy and
other creeping plants, neat maid
servant opened the door. The ex.
preston of astonishmcnt which the
sight of my luggage for O brief instant
called forth was quickly suppressed as
she babe the driver deposit it in the
hall and usherel mo into tho dining.
room.
had not been there many minutes
when the master of the house entered,
"My dear fellow" ho began almost
before he had opened the door, 81
don't know how to express my regret.
I have been so busy lately-1 am
writing series of articles for the
Weekly Gazettc-that put your let
ter aside and forgot to tell my people
you were coming"
"Pray, don't apologize, if am In
the way" began.
ssNo, no; not at oil" b" he hastily in.
terrupted; "only am sorry you had
to come from the station by yourself.
Would you like littlo rcfreshment
now, or will you wait till dinner time?
Wo dine in helf an hour.
"I Ishould prefer waiting" I replied.
"Then come up to my room at once.
Your own shell be got ready while you
are at dinner"
Thus speaking, my host led me to
his chamber, an apartment of ample
dimensions, but crammed with books,
pamphlets and periodicals.
me to mako use OF whatever
might require, he begged me to ez-
cuse him, as he had still few para.
graphs to add to Oh article he wished
despatched by that nights post.
eff am not back by tho timo you
have finished your toilet you aro pretty
certain to find my sister in the draw
ing room," he added as he left me.
made the best Of myself that was
possible under the circumstances, and
, as 1 brushed my hair was even nble to
smile OF Robert Elliot's short memory
and the surprise which my coming
must have been to his sister.
He did not return, so ventured
downstairs unaccompanicd. An open
door showing on interior Of softly
tinted harmony of books and pictures
and flowers, with lace drapery huttcr-
ing in the gentle breeze, and o delicate
tone of blue pervading the furniture,
guided mo to the 'drawing-room.
1t was empty, however, but as ]
gazed around ut the many signs OF
taste and refinement scattered about,
nv preconceivcd notion of Miss Eli,
OF, as O middle-agcd spinstcr in spec
tacles and wiry ringlets, who ruled
her brother aud his household with
impartial severity, and who attircd
herself in sad.cclored garments, began
to waver and grow dim.
There was q youthful appearance
about this room somehow, O homelike
carelessness of arrangement, which to.
pether with the open workcasc, fitted
up with very fragile-looking tokens oi
industry, o gold thimble set in rim
of precious stones, gilded scissors, and
very fairy's web of dainty cmbroid,
ery, relieved my mind of the fear lest
might be domiciled with one o. my
special horrors strong-mindcd,
straight-backed female, delighting in
Dorcas meetings. coarse calico and
flannel petticoats.
The smooth. green lawns, the sur
rounding beds dazzling i'll pomp oi
purple and gold, scarlet and blue,
tempted me through the open window,
and the quaintness of the floral ar
engagements lured me onward from
path to path.
And SO, walking slowly along,
turned o corner and came faco to face
with my :'Queon OF Beauty, my 'sStal
of Light" Her clasped hands resting
on the moss-grown stone, her eye:
dreamy and downcast, the rich BLOOD
mantling in her checks, and the palt
cream hue of her dress suiting admlr
ably the magnificent brunette color
ing of skin and hair.
Screened from view by clump o
cvergrcens, I stared on spellbound.
had seen many handsome women. BE
ing nh artist, 1 was acquainted will
every ttylo of beauty, tho classica!
the piquunt, the stately and tho placid
but never before hud I behold so per
feet fucc, SO perfect figure.
Of what was she thinking? 0
whom was she dreaming? Wus sh'
wrapt sin maiden meditation fnncy
free?" As I watched her almos
prayed that tho passionate nature
which must of q surety DO combined
with such tropical southern type o
beauty, might still be slumberins una
wakened, and that I might be th'
happy prince who should summon j
to life; that mine might be the kis
that should call it forth that
There was noise OF swift footstep
crushing the gravel Of q neighborint
path, and ere I had time to move from
my place of espial IL gentleman came
hurying forward, glad, joyous ex
preston on his face.
At the sound of his hasty approach
the white jeweled fingers were un
clasped, the fair face aroused from it
abstraction, the duslSy, luminous eye
were lifted, and with calm smile