The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1897-09-23

SO, but instantly it fixed itself in my mind
that my tenants stood before me.
l was Just bit nervous and half regret
ted laying aside my pipe, but gathered
myself together, and in five minutes time
we were walking together through the
house and talking pleasantly about its ar
rangcment, conveniences and such like.
and then made a tour of the grounds
When we returned to the yeranda, ten.
dered the rocker to the young woman,
while the gentlemen-one, as l learned,
her father, the other her brother-and
myself sat on the steps. There would be
no train to the city for an hour, and we
had ample time to discuss the object OF
their visit and incidentally such personal
affairs as are won't to develop under such
circumstances.
1t was thus that learned that the old
gentleman was Virginian upon whom
the results of the war had fallen rather
disastrously, and whose troubles from this
source had been augmented by the death
of his WIFE, His son was Q member OF one
of the professions and amply equipped
mentally and financially to provide for the
family, while the daughter, reared in true
Virginia fashion, was to be housekeeper
ia SOhOIoA 90 u oholOS. W. oGiSSNA
upon terms. and it was arranged that Colo
mel Kirby was to assume possession ON
the following Monday. accompanied the
party to the station, gave them a cordial
goodby q confess it was a reluctant good
by gave the young woInan), the train
sped away toward the smoke wreathed
spires of the city and left me to my rocker,
my pipe and my reflections.
Dat, -.
cession of vans invaded Cloversyde, and
while the sturdy help was busily engaged
in the work of transferring the contents
to the house the colonel and his daughter
reached the place by train. An exchange
of few compliments pertinent to such an
occasion ensued, when ahdicated and Left
the quiet country cottage to resume life in
town. At the end of month I made my
debut as landlord. There was notice
able improvement in the appearance of the
place. The grounds looked clean, and
flower beds at odd places and bordering the
walk gave evidence of womanly attention.
The house wore homelike, hospita Bile air,
and just where I had left it sat the old
rocker These things I noticed at that
first call, a brief one. Subsequent visits
gave opportunity for more extended OBJ
servations, which only emphasized my first
impression that model housekeeper was
directing matters in certain habitation
in Cloversyde. Gradually became con-
scious that change had taken place in
myself.
Town life was fast losing its attractive
ness. My thoughts turned with an indie
Enable longing to woods browning the
uplands through whose leafy branches the
southern breezes played, to rivulets spring
ing from groves, playing along the slopes
awhile, prattling into groves again and
dancing away in the shaded distance And
I philosophical too. No man is bachelor
from choice Either his lonely condition
is case Of 1t might have been, or he has
not yet looked into eyes that have an
swered his heart. Love is magnetism.
The eyes have it. When the ordained eyes
meet, then and there the bachelor ceases
to exist and one more township Is added
to paradise. I made this discovery when
my eyes met those of Rhody Kirby, and
though have looked into these same dear
eyes thousands of times, and though they
have been my inspiration, my very life,
yet to save me from perdition cannot
describe them. know the regal rose, the
modest violet, the loyal sunf1ower, but to
a''emp5 description OF elther would De
Gask eh1ireiy oeyond me. ana SO Win
hhoays eyes. 1 only know tney are tne
mosS peauollui bhis slde the SHINING stars
Sna1 she hefseil hiis up the gracious moio
OF mooesey, ana tnaG am desperately
But I anticipate little.
developed an extraordinary interest IN
my properly ID Cioyersyoe' SO that IL was
noo unusuai ior me 70 drlve out there eV-
Dry mse -. NY pleteaS was onao one place
neeaeu iooAlns aiser' 1he fences ana pullo-
tngs recurring aeai OF aetene,on 20 save
onen run iaiiing iheo uecay. Miss hhouy
was my companion over the grounds.
tnaAihg Suggestions mere ana 1here ana
4iiihg ine WIN rear ohaG shoulo one
usy orop ueau at her ieee nom an attack
u hearo paipltaSlon' out all unlngs must
nave an emu, ana resolved 10 taiK serl
ousiy WIZ nnooy When ne2e put ioo1 on
'ne pace. Ii was the nrs6 Gay OF June
anu early morning Inc nuodlng roses
were paIned IN oeW' tne Diros uWltted
Guneiully IN ehe 1rees' the ar was sort and
q Ir-rYl r. c<ler