Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1897-06-09

that her own beauty was waning, she
resolved to gives new charm to her
house, new interest to her life, by
adopting child. :
The first, the most essential, requis.
ite in her eyes was beauty; the next
intellect, and with these she also re-
quired child who was absolutely
friendless-one who would have no
unpleasant relations claiming ac'
quaintance at some future date, how
ever remote. 1t was not easy to meet
all these con litions, but the child was
found at last; she was very fair, with
bloom like peach blossom upon
each delicate cheek; she had fair, soft
hair that curled naturally, blue eyes
full of sweetness and delicate features;
her feet and hands were OF aristocratic
proportions, and her figure slender
and graceful. A street walf, she knew
of no home beyond the asylum where
Mrs. Grantley found her, and had no
relative of whom she had ever heard.
There was no difficulty about the mat
ter, and Mrs. Grantley adopted the
child, calling her Amy Grantley, and
delighting to exhibit her in the dain-
tiest of costumes to her admiring
friends.
When Amy was twelve years old,
having proved herself On apt scholar
with good nursery governess, Mrs.
Grantley decided to so to Europe.
She left her adopted child in good
school, and corresponded with her
regularly, seeing with delight that the
child's mlnd and heart expanded and
showed cultivation and sweet, maiden
ly beauty as her education advanced.
For seven years Amy remained at
school, a conscientious student, de-
lighting in music, and showing always
gentle, lovable disposition.
In her heart there was one shrine
wheYe, next her God, was one object
of absolute worship-Mrs. Grantley.
She had never been deceived regard
ing her own position, knowing that to
her adopted mother she owed every
pleasure and every advantage she en-
ioyed. Every action OF her life wa:
influenced by her gratitude. Loving
study for it's own sake, she threw fresh
energy into every accomplishment tt
please her friend, her kind adopted
mother che made music an absorbing
pursuit, because Mrs. Grantley loved
music, aud her teachers assured he'
her strong, pure voice must give pleas
ure to any true lover OF singing.
Year after year the strong hope 0
her life was that Mrs. Grantley woul'
coon return, and she might in som
way repay what she owed her. Tn
day the summons came to her to NEE
Mrs. Grantley in what was to be he
future home, the child was almost Ii
with excitement.
Educated by lady who considere
it duty to check any vanity in he
pupils, Amy had never given muc
thought to her personal appearance
When scarlet fever robbed her OF he
curls and left straight mass OF pale
faxen hair in their place, she though
only Of tho temporary badness as a
Inconvenience, and the care of th
straight hair less troublesome than th
curIs. She did not heed the fact ths
the same fever deprived her OF her el
ouisite complexion, end left salloV
co,orless one in its place.
Fer second teeth were uneven, an
not very white, though sound an
use .ul. She was graceful in hgur'
essv in movement. refined in soit
and tone, a laly in every Impulse an
action, bat Mr.. Grant!ey's first e!
cla,.natioD was;