The Forrest City times., 1897-09-17
. Bdsil's First Wife. <
 BY ANNA SHIELDS. k rFFTTTTTFETTTTET<

w Nlfglnla that he was married and asked if he might bring his wife to my house, his home from infancy, or if he had better provide another one for her, l answered at once:
 Come here and try it. If you are happy, stay; if not, it will be time enough to seek new home after test ing the old one"
 But the letter gave me sore pain. Basil was my charge from the time his parents died and left him, . baby, inheriting a large fortune, to my care His mother was my twin sister, and was a childless widow when she died, SO if will be readily understood l gave the boy true mothers love. We live at Stony Hill, my husbands legacy to me, spot abounding in natures beau ties, in spite of its harsh name, and we did not want for society, being only two miles from fiourishing city.
 It was natural Basil should marry; he was 22, had studied a profession, though he devoted his time to painting in an amateur fashion that promised no great results; was wealthy, hand some and a thorough gentleman by birth and education.
 But l had hoped he would marry one of the ladies l knew; some one, per haps, l loved already. His letter was full of praise of his wife-but who was she? He had found her when on a sketching trip through Virginia, in wild part of the country. Her mother was lying dead, and two old negroes were filling the air with howls apd walls.
 1 did not care that the girl was poor Basil was rich, and would have, in addi- ton 10 his fathers fortune, all l had to leave. He had no need to seek wealthy bride. But l was afraid he had married for beauty only. Not one word could l find, in most careful perusal, in praise of the brides intel feet, accomplishments or worth. Only her beauty was the theme of her hus- bands praise.
 When l saw her l scarcely wondered that the face of Basil's wife had ex- cited such enthusiasm. They came nome in June, at early morning, and drove from the station to the house, where, just after sunrise, ! went out upon the porch to meet them.
 From the carriage there sprang little figure dressed in all the colors of the rainbow, bedecked with jewels utterly out of place upon traveller. ns were the gay silk dress and feather trimmed hat.
 But the face under the hat! How can describe it? A perfect oval, with features of classic regularity, but with out any of the coldness that usually accompanies classic beauty. For the dark complexion, pure, clear olive, was crimson-tinted on lips and cheeks, the eyes. large, brilliant eyes, were yet soft and velvety, and the black hair was glossy and luxuriant.
 Every moment the expression was changing in those glorious eyes, the sensitive mouth. Child-hke pleasure in the new home, gentle difference to my years and position, were sue ceeded by petulance and restless vt yacity.
 She was a will-o'- '-the-wisp, butter fy. wasp. I loved her in two minutes, and my love never lessened. But even Then | knew Basil had made fatal mistake.
 Do, aunt Martha, take some super vision of her wardrobe" he said to me. .Sbe was married in a calico dress and sun-bonnet, and her feet were bare of course l gave her money, and she bought what she pleased. l don't un- derstand women's dress. but hers set my teeth on edge
 And just as he spoke she flashed in. She never seemed to me to walk, nov ipg with a peculiar, darting movement