The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-08-10
ONE SUMMER AT SAPPHIRE
By Ida Ripley Barnwell.

says it is an ideal place, and the Joiners
are enthusiastic over it. Can you be
ready next week?' Next week, or to-
morrow, if you wish. Sapphire, as you
and Trixy have decided to go there, we
may consider our summer trip settled
Why not try Ruby, Diamond or Emerald
or do you just prefer Sapphires?' do
not be silly, you cannot be sarcastic,
Mrs. Cotton answered, as she and her
husband discussed their summer plans in
the handsome parlor of their Baltimore
home "Well,' continued the Hon
George Cotton, 81 have not the faintest
idea where Sapphire is, but have fol-
lowed you around so faithfully for the
past ten years that ! suppose 1 car
risk it. still 1 would like to know where
/ am going, and what 1 am to do when
/ get there" Pretty Mrs. Cotton gives
him a plying smile as she answers, enc
doubt you are a very good lawyer
George, and a successful politician, but
really you know very little of the
geography Of your own country. Sap
phire is in Western North Carolina,
there are magnificent views, fine drives,
fishing and all sorts of things. 1t is a
good place to rest, and Trixy and
think it would be the best place for you
and the children.
You are very kind to decide for me
and the little folks. II you and Trixy
want to go you know it will suit me.
Where is Trixy this morning."
'She is making calls at the hospital,
her hobby is sick children. George, /
am not satisfied about Trixy, she wor-
ries me-" worries you? What has she
been doing to fret you, little mother?
Nothing, but you know she is engaged
to Mr.. Bedding, and honestly, George,
do not believe she is one bit in love
with him." "Most women would find
it easy to love a man with over three
millions, and then he is all right, good
looking. good blood, a gentleman in fact,
what else does she want?' 81 don't
know, but it seems to me she is not en-
thusiastic over her lover, and as for
marrying him, she says she will not
think of it for at least year" she
may change her mind, women sometimes
do, you know, and Trixy would never
throw man like Bedding over for any
foolish romantic notion" mo" said
Mrs. Cotton, 81 suppose not, Mr.. Beld-
ing is everything he ought to be, thor
oughly proper person, never loses his
temper, never makes a mistake. On,
could not stand man like that.
Then you mean to say" Mrs. Cotton
smilingly replied, "that you care for me
because l am not proper person, be-
cause | do make mistakes and some
times lose my temper?" Eyes, l do"
she answered with a becoming blush.
Your very faults are dear to me, be-
canuse they are yours. 1 do not want
you perfect, because it would not be con-
genial" For answer he draws her to
him. and kisses her with a warmth that
deepens the color in her pretty cheeks,
and makes them both silent for the space
of a moment Then he says ''Never
mind, dear heart, it will all come right.
Trixy has plenty of common sense and
no doubt by the fall she will want your
taste and advice in buying her trous-
seau." II hope So" his wife answered
with a sigh. But she has told him that
he is not to come to Sapphire, and
hush, here she comes The door opens
and Helen Lois Lisle, known to her fam
lily as Trixy, enters the room. stylish
young lady is she, and yet with an in
describable naturalness about her that
enhances the beauty of her costume An
oval face, shaded by wayy chestnut hair
hazel eyes, with dropping lashes, per-
feet mouth and chin, nose trife
saucy but we'll suited to her pretty face
hands and feet that might have been
models for a sculptor, and figure that
needed no art to improve its perfection.
what are you two talking about? she
exclaimed as she entered the room, fol-
lowed by golden-haired boy, NINA
ture edition of Mr.. Cotton. sapphire,
I am sure" she continued without wait
ing for a reply. "Do say you Will CO.
George; l have set my heart on IL, ana
it is new and away from all these people
we have met for the past four summers
ooh. | like it, of course, IL 1t suits you
and Jean. / have just been looking at
this little pamphlet. The Sapphire Coun-
try IT seems to be the very place we
have been hunting Pack your trunks
and we will be there in less than ten
days" George. you are an adoraple
brother-in-law II Jean had not married
you you would never have escaped me,
said Trixy, giving him gracious pat
The Hon. George Cotton is indeed an
indulgent husband and father, and TrlXy
Lisle has found real brother and frleho
in his big heart, as well as delightful
home in his handsome house. She is ten
years younger than her sister Jean, VINO
has been almost mother to the little
sister since their father and mother were
lost on an Inflated steamer returning
from Europe.
Without any change OF purpose
the Cotton party found themselves
week later on their way to Sapphire, via
The busy quaint little town of Hender-
sonville, then over the Transylvanla
Railroad. through the smiling valleys OF
the French Broad and the Davidson,
night in the picturesque village of Bre-
ward, at the beautiful Franklin hotel,
then a short railway journey to ToXaway.
the terminus Of the railroad. The drive
from ToXaway to Fairfield Inn at Sap
phire, the majestic mountains, the
maiden hair ferns three feet high with a
diameter that put to shame the finest
specimens of our city florists, the dark
solemn forests of the tall spruce trees,
whose restful stiffness was only broken
by the rushing of crystal trout streams,
The dense thickets of laurel and rhodo-
dendron, the bewildering variety of
flowers. the moss, the lichens, all COM
bipe to make this drive a neverto-b be-
forgotten pleasure.