Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1897-07-29
CHAPTER XVIII.

porch by Miss hit, ali hounceS, haASii
curls and smiles.
"You are welcome to Fuljoy's Isle,
Colonel Greville. Mrs. Greville, you are
welcome. 1 wish you both much JOY in
your future lives" she said, shaking
hands in turn with the bride anu
bridegroom. ''Your luggage Is already
carried up to your apartments. Would
you like to be shown thither before din
ner?' she added.
IF you please, Miss Hit. And re-
member that to you | am always little
Daney," said the bride.
Miss Hit had already sent the lady's
maid up stairs, under the charge Cf
Mandy. And now the old lady led the
way thither, and opening the door, in,
troluced the bride into her elegant
chamber.
An exclamation of pleasure broke
from Astrea's lips as she threw herself
into her easy chair before her dressing
table, and gazed around the pretty
room with its hangings Of rosc-colorei
silk and fine lace.
.Oh, how good is my dear guardian,
and how perfect is bis tGste!' she said.
.'I,less you,c child! 1t was not the cap
tain's taste. He sen down an uploi-
sterer, with a carte blanche; the man
knew his business, and you see h re-
suit. But the captain has taste, there IL
no denying that. And now, maaln.
will leave you to change your dress,
while | 60 and have the dinner served
said Miss Hit, leaving the room
Mademoisella Fifine, Mrs. Greville's
French maid, was in the adjoining
dressing room, engaged in unpackinS
trunks and boxes. and putting away
their contents in bureaus and ward
robes; but, summon ed now by her mis-
tress, she came and attended her at her
toilet.
When her toilet was complete. wen
to the delicate white gloves and the
white cobweb. of n handkerchief. she
stepped through the French windows or
her chamber out upon the piazza. 70
look once more upon the lovely home of
her childhood. The aspect was n South
ern one.
The exceeding beauty. glory and sub
Unity of the scene almost suspended In
ecstacy the breath of the beholder.
While Astrea gazed. cntranced. she
heard a light step beside her. felt a soft
hand upon her. and turned to see her
husband by her side.
Then they went down to the dining
room. where. bride and bridegroom
though they were, they did full justice
70 the luxurious feast spread before
them. How passed their evening: In
music, conversation and moonlight
walks upon the terrace. Then. weary
with their journey from the city TO the
isle, they retired to their apartments.
And not until then did the tired house
hold seek repose.
Miss Hit waddled around in her last
tour over the establishment, to see that
the windows ard doors were closed and
all the lights and fires pat out. And
then, attenced by her two maids. Man
dy ana Scp)iy. she entered her own
room on the third floor front, where she
sank painting into an easy chair
These two girls always slept in the
garnet above Miss Hits ROOM; but IL
was the custom. growing ont of her sol
itude, for the old lady to detain them a
few minutes every night in her own
chamber. for a little gossip or last or
ders, before dismissing them to tEcir
own. You may be sure that this even
ing proved no exception to the general
rule. There was much to be talked
over And as Miss Hit sat blowing IN
her chair, Mandy offered to comb her
hair and Sephy to take off her shoes
and stockings, before leaving her. And
while the maids were thus engaged.
Miss Hit spoke-of the bridal pair. Of
course. For, let Ii be remembered, that
this was the first time for three years
that the household of the isle had set
eyes on either the lady or the gentle
man
She's wonderfully improvel-Miss
Astrea-Mrs. Greyille, / should say"
said Miss Hit.
Il 'clar' l shouldn' a-known her.
num- answered Mandy.
NO, nor Marse Fulke-the Colonel. I
mean. Isn't he handsome, just?" OBJ
served Sephy.
: hope 1t will be a happy marriage"
sighed Miss Hit.
And so does /, nun; but / has my
own thoughts said Mandy.
la! why shouldn't it be happy?
just e what a handsome pair they
aree' observed Sephy.
but MISS hit nad turned an appalled,
c~ountenance upon Mandy, as il she ST.
lently demanded n reason for her cx-
pressed forebodings.
Mandy was a well formed. fall. slen-
der girl, with n good-humored black
face, laughing black eyes, and smiling
lips that displayed rows of teeth white
ana smooth as ivory. There was O
great deal of wit. intelligence and af-
lection in Mandy's nature. Aud her
truth, honesty and fidelity won the re-
gard OF the whole family. 1t was.
therefore, with much confidence that
Miss Hit listened to her explanation.
You see. Miss Hitable. mum, | ney-
err said muffin til to nobody bout what
I'm going to tell you now. You mem
Der de las ebenin as cher Marse Eulkc
was here, afore he went way so sud.
dint?"
Yes, do. And I knew at the time
there was some quarrel between him
and his uncle, though nothing was oyer
said about it afterw ard"
well, mum, II v os a quarrel. and nj,
about little Daney. Miss Astrea. T
mean, Mrs. Grevllle, as J. should saw
Iou see, mum, dat dat ebenin' / was
busy taking de candle-grease snots
IL