Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1899-03-15

up the 5'airs sne WVuiu disappear anu
daIk would he the house till the little
lady appeared in the bright sunshine
the next morning.
"One day there was stir aud an ex-
elemental preparations for your
grandmother first ball. Silks and
laces were everywhere, and the flowers
that filed the window yonder heard all
her hopes and dreams as she bent
above them in her daily care.
"As evening drew on the leigh bells
were heard coming acl oss the country
to the door, there vas crowd OF ser
wants in the hall, e.eh one peering
eagerly over another's shoulder to SEQ
the little mistress in her white silk,
which rustled as she moved and set Oft
SO well her shining eyes.
"Ah, nee, that was the beginning OF
it all, for it was not the same little girl
who looked into my face next day, and
1 listened with all my strength as sbt
whispered fresh hopes and fears to the
sympathetic flowers.
"Many gentlemen now came to call,
and most frequently an older and a
gfaver che, who said little, but seemed
to bde his time. There was a younge
one on whom my little mistress seem
ed to smile, and who whispered al
sorth of pretty nothings in her ear; o
handsome lad, but somehow I liked
not the shifting of his eyes.
"Many is the night I leps my ole
frame breaking with anxiety. Some
times 1 would try to put in word to
the little one as she sat where you are
only she never seem ed to hear me. A
smile was on her lips and her Heart v al
far away.
9Th inss went on thut way for some
time, till one day I heard her fathers
voice raised in O steiner tone than he
Ia d ever used 10 the little mistress
The heavy library door was opened
h astily by her, and as she pushed pas
me up the stairs I saw how Adshedand
h, t her cheeks were burning.
Then came q time wi en- she sat and
brooded in the window. The young mar
ca me no more, and the elder man was
kinder than ever, but all 10 no purpose
the young girl did net seem to know
that he was near. Aitsrward The
seem, d TO turn to me for symprthy and
would watch my face 80 anxiously
did Lot quite like it, for often it would
end in no taking her scarf aud silly
slipping cut, and it world be near al
hour before she would return with q
strange light jntboss eyes I knew sc
well, and many's the time it all ended
with j. hit of tears.
~ know listened 10 the murmur
idR Of The flowers, and flowers are moi
safe confdants, though women folks
think shey are. They sustle and tel
each OTHER all they know. One has but
to listen End the secret is out, carried
far and wi Q by the birds, their lovers
at was drsary, bitter night, and
the little enc knelt before the FIRE with
her slender hands, that trembled &C
they stir cd the lace abost the wrists
ousstretshed before the blaze. Sht
/ seemed to see face in the red ashes
Now, she murmursd, ii that doe'
not fade for one whole minute I shall
take il ~ q good omen and SO. heart
the words and tremb.ed. Oh, how
| was torn in two! The one pride OF my
| life had been to isll the truth 10 every
one. and here was my mistress making
| that O burden for she frst time. II wal
a struggle, aud somehow habit won
The minutes passed. and l announced
| 1t in q choked old voice, but she die
not aeem 70 know that; only sigh O.
pleasure and tear Of regret mingled
and with pathetic gesture she threw
her hands in she dir, rs If throwing al
care 10 the winds and accepting fate
ThSn she came and stood before me, al
she had done 30 often as Tiny one
and looIe up At me.
"'At half past 10, cid friend, dom
fail 10 tell me. I shall be listening
with all my heart. You need not strike
vevy ,'udly. shall hsar-l shall b
surN to hsa,v And she had gone
slo.ly up the stairs. Time felt
weight upon me as I tollsd the min
utes ous. l am only the servant O
t,ns. inn; to'speak the words no tell