Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1899-03-23

RANG THE BELL WITH A STEADY
HAND.
his hand he held n tiny old-faShioned
salver. and il was apparent that big
custom was to receive upon it the
cards. without admitting the persouA
of such stray visitors as should seeh
to invade the retirement in which bis
mistress dwelt, for, scarce waiting for
my question as 10 whether she would
receive me. he held it forth, and, still
barring my entrance with his small
person, said: Mrs. Eldredge desires
to be excused"
'Will you tell her." | returned, de-
posting my card in the small receipt.
acle, that | am come in response to
her advertisement, and say that as I
have come from a distance | hope she
will see me, unless the position be al
ready filed"
My explanation caused him to take
n different view of my intrusion, for
now the door was thrown Hospitality
open, and, as l obeyed his request 70
enter, l found myself in a delightfully."-
quaint old hall, with high raftered
ceiling, and far reaches of impenetra-
bic gloom which bespoke spacious
depths and offered a wide field for the
imagination.
With ancient ceremony the aged but
Ter threw open the door of a small re-
ception room, standing aside for me to
pass in, but, fascinated by the romantic
aspect of the wide hall, and invited to
linger in its shadows by the CHEEKY
blaze of huge hickory log that burnt
In the cavernous fireplace, / smilingiy
| negatived his suggestion, and begged
to be allowed to wait where | was.
He was absent but a few moments.
Scarcely had l become penetrated by
the welcome warmth of the fire than
he reappeared and desired me to fol-
low him. He led the way up a broad
and winding staircase, whose ascent
was broken by two or three broad
landings, each a small room in itself,
| and thence across a large upper hall
fitted as a picture gallery, the vast di
mensions of which We're broken by
magnificently carved balustrade,
brought, as l afterwards learnt, from
one of the Doria palaces, which en-
| closed a great we'll that reached from
| entrance-hall to roof, where an enor-
nous skylight of stained-glass shed
modified glow upon the space be-
meath.
Daylight having quite faded silver
sconces suspended against the walls
gave partial and fitful illumination 20
the place. the candles shirking their
actual duty, however, to coquet among
the brighter surroundings of the gilded
frames that lined the mighty stretches
of wall. Rugs innumerable covered
the polished oaken floor, and, had it
been possible for the noiseless foot
steps of my companion to become less
audible | should have thought that he
took heed to so stifle It as our progress
increased We paused at last before
a closed door, upon which he tapped
so reverently that / was reminded Of
priest approaching a holy shrine.
A low-toned, exquisitely modulated
voice gave us permission to enter. The
old servant opened the door, announced
me, and Immediately withdrew, leay-
ing me in the presence of Il woman,
the charm of whose personality, the
magnificence of whose matured beauty,
| rendered me wholly oblivious of her
environment
What was the emotion that seized
upon me as my eyes fell upon Madam?
Was il reverence, awe, timidly, alright
at my own audacity in Offering myself
as companion to such as she? Was 1t
the spell exercised upon inferior ma
lures by extraordinary strength OF
character united to almost perfect
physical form? Was 1t fear? Was IL
alarm? Or was twas it not, rather
the birth-agony of love unique in Its
nature, passionate in its intensity, soul
ennobling in its development, which,
though | have known warm family af-
fection. though / have felt strong at
tachment to two or three close friends,
though | have since become the proud
and happy wife Of man who holds
nv very soul in his keeping, has stood
apart and aloof, on a pinnacle OF Its
own. elevated apd sanctified beyond all
the other emotions of my life!
The most positive memory l retain
Of that first meeting is the impression
produced upon my mind by Madam.
So profound was that impression that
in seeking to recall her likeness now.
since her visible presence has passed
from before my eyes, / invariably pict-
ure her as / then saw her, notwlth-
Standing the fact that in after-days l
formed a so much better acquaintance
with her features and expression.
NV mind, barking back into the past,
coniures up the grandeur of a solitary
figure. waiting, in patient, silent digni-
ty. like a noble statue, among the ruins
of shattered world. Sculptured as by
an artists hand directed by a poets
brain. the rare contour of her face
was classic in it's mould, and superbly
intellectual in its wondrous beauty.
Mind. soul and heart, the trinity OF
mans personality. shone through the
lovely mask that disclosed rather than
concealed her spiritual being.
She was sitting, as ] entered In obedi-
ence TO her bidding, in high-backed
chair of carved ebony, with her feet,
arched like those of Spanish primo
ass. resting on little footstool. About
her Law folds of rich black drapery, uu-
relieved by any touch of color or CLEAN
of precious metal. One ornament, II
80 il might be called, and one only,
she wore, and that was the sole Jewel
( ever saw her assume. 1t was ring
Of gold overIaid with black enamel, and
set with a single diamond of great size
md doubtless, of great intrinsic value.
1t was her engagement ring, which,
upon the death of her husband, she had
had encrusted with enamel, and TINS
was held secure by a tiny guard SO
small rs to well-pigh escape observa-
s;-N ''' - ~unbol Of her marriage.