Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1897-11-25
they embarked upon the steamboat
Southern Queen for New Orleans.
CHAPTER LxI.

1t was a glorious afternoon I'm early
autumn. Mrs. Grevillc and her fam
lily had returned to the old plantation
house, and were now out upon the
front piazza to enjoy the cool and
balmy air of evening. Inc gaze upon
the golden r%efulgence of the setting
sun and the silvery radiance of the
rising moon. The softness of the hour
and the beauty GH the scene inclined
them all to "A luxurious ~pensiyeness.
Lois and Welby arose and walked
side by side. slowly up and down the
lawn in front of the piazza, talking IN
a low tone, and doubtless discussing
their future prospects. Mrs. Greville
reclined in an easy chair, and Ettie
Burns sat upon Il cushion at her feet.
Mrs. Greville's white and jewelled
fingers were straying idly among the
shining black rlnglets of Elites little
head, as ii lay laZily upon her lap.
Astrea sat apart at one end of the
PIAZZA, absorbed in reyerie. Astrca
vas now, perhaps, more beautiful
than she had ever been in her life be-
fore. Her complexion was blooming
with health. her eyes bcaming with
hope. her hair clustering in short.
bright curls around her brow, which
was fair as snow. She wore u dress
of fresh. ~rose-colored barege. trimmed
with fine lace, and a necklace OF
pearls encircled her throat. She was
occupied with thoughts too happy and
sacred to be shared with any one.
Therefore, she sat apart in silence.
Sho was daily expecting the arrival OF
her husband, her guardian, and last,
but not least" the mother with whose
existence she had been so recently
made acquainted. She had been thus
expecting them for several days: but
expectation had not as yet had time 10
cause anxiety. She was even now an
ticipating their arrival on this very
evening.
Her happy reverie was at length in
terrupted by Venus, who. since she
had been raised to the dignity of lady
raid. had diligently performed the du-
ties of her office. Venus now came
out Respondent in n silver-gray silk
dress, n white muslin apron trimmed
with embroidery, and a lace cap, with
cEerry-colored satin ribbons dying n
yard and a half behind her. She held
i'll her hand a fan of marabout feath-
ers, which, with In air of much i'm
portance, she offered TO her mistress.
But just ct this moment Il sound of
carriage wheels drew every ones at
tention from Venus and her graces.
Mrs. Greville pushed Ettie's little
black head almost abruptly from her
lap, as she arose to look out.
Lois and Welby paused in their walk
and talk, and gaZed up the avenue.
Astrea started from her seat and
fixed her eyes with ~devouring interest
r1nnn tho anproanbinO on rria oQ
1t was a very capacious carriage,
drawn by two strong horses, and hav-
ing much luggage piled up behind ard
on top of it. AS it drew near they
saw that it contained a lady, an old
gentleman and n young one. There
could be no m~istaking the party.
'They have come! They have come
exclaimed Astrea, in the clear, ringing
tones of joy, nearly upsetting Venus
and her StreamerS, N she Sprang past
and flew out to meet her friends.
In another moment the carriage had
drawn up, Colonel Greville had alight-
ed, and Astrea was folded in the arms
of her husband. Great joy, like great
sorrow, has but one yent-tears! As
trea burst into q food of tears, and
sobbed conyulsively upon his bosom.
And while Colonel Greville held her
there. murmuring i~narticulate words
of love and comfort: and while Cap
tain Fuljoy and Madame de Glacie i'm
patiently awaited their own turn to be
kissed and cried over, Mrs. Grevilie
advanced with an open hand and smil-
ing face to receive her guests.
Captain Fuljoy shook hands with his
old acquaintance, coinplimented her on
her youth and beauty, and then begged
leave to present his friend, Madame
de Glacie.
Mrs. Greville greeted the foreign
lady with great cordiality, took her af-
~fectionately by the hand and led her
up to the piazza.
Then Elite Burns sprang forward,
exclaiming:
"And now I won't wait q minute
longer for anybody. Here l am, Cap
tain Fuljoy. here is your own little
Elite again! You know l couldn't live
without you, and that is the reason
you have GOMEZ"
The old sailor, smiling broadly, lift
ed Elite i'm his arms and kissed her,
saying:
IF it had not been for you. Astrea
might never have been foundI'
mo; l am worth ten attorneys, am
1 n1tT
Meanwhile, Colonel Greviile, having
breath ed many tender words into the
ears of his wife and dried her tears,
Tow whispered:
My sweet Astrea, here is your
mother waiting so patiently to en-
bra &c you! Turn to her, dearestr'
And Astrea, with n vivid blush.
withdrew herself from the arms of her
husband. and sank into the out
stretched nes of her mother, exclaim-
ing:
Mother, dearest mother, it is deep
joy to meet you! Oh, do not think that
your child is unloylng or undutifui,
becauseAbecause-'
because she first saw only her nus
band! | do not, my darling. remem
Der your father, Astrea. And now, my
child, here is another one who is long
ing to greet you--one who has filled a
parents place In your life, and to
whom half your tilial love and duty is
due" said the lady, gently lifting her
daughters head, and directing her at
tention to Captain Fuljoy.
"Ah, my dear guardian! my dear