Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1903-05-23

NE Drlue. 90 IN ner zeal 0ne r0tner over
did the matter, Inviting many Of the vii
layers, some Of whom were friendly to
me and some were not, though all, be.
lieve, felt curious to see how the ''ple-
beian"-thus Ada termed me-would de-
mean herself as the wife of Southern
planter.
Dusky faces, with white, shining eyes,
peered round the corner Of the building
az the carriage stopped before the door,
and more than one whisper reached me.
Oats she--de new miss, dat mars'r's
liftin' 90 keerfully."
Upon the piazza stood Mrs. Lansing,
her face wreathed In smiles, while Mt her
side. In flowing white muslin, were Ada
and Lima, the former Of whom sprung
gayly down the steps, and with well.
feisned Joy threw herself into the arms
OF her guardian, who, after kissing ker
affectionately, presented her to me, say.
Ing, "Will Ada be sister to my wife?"
Anything for your sake" answered
Ada, with rather more emphasis on your
than was quite pleasing to me.
Mrs. Lansing came next, and there
was something Of hauteur In her manner
az she advanced, for much as she desired
to please her brother, she was not yet
fully prepared to meet me as an equal.
But Richard knew the avenue to her
heart, and rs he placed my hand In hers
he said, For the sake Of Jessie you will
love my bride, am sure"
This party was followed by many
more, and ere I was aware Of II, Mrs.
Richard DelaReld was quite a belle
what she said, what she did, and what
she wore being pronounced au fat by
the fashionables Of Chester. Upon all
this Ada looked jenlously. never allow.
ing an opportunity TO pass without speak.
Ing slightingly Of me, though always care
ful that Richard should not know of It.
In his presence she was vastly kind. sit.
ting at my feet. calling me "aunty," and
treating me as II I had been twenty
years her senior.
Toward the middle Of August, invita-.
lions came for us to attend large we'd
ding In Charleston. was exceedingly
anxious to 60, having heard much Of the
bride, who was distant relative VI my
husband, and though both he and Mrs.
Lansing raised every conceivable objec.
tion to my leaving home, I adroitly put
aside all their arguments. and ere Rich.
ard fully realised that he had been coax.
ed into doing something he had fully Do.
termined not to do. we were rafting
along In O dusty Charleston omnibus to.
ward one Of the largest hotels, where
rooms had been engaged for Us. The
morning after our arrival. ] went into
the public parlor, and us seated my.
self at the pinno I saw just across the
room, near an open window, a quiet,
Intelligent looking lady. apparently TWEEN.
ty.six or twenty.seven years Of age. and
near her, sporting upon the carpet, was
a beautiful little girl, with flowing curls
and soft, dark eyes. which instantly riv.
eted my attention, they were 30 like
something had seensbefore.
At the sound Of the music she came to
my side, listened attentively, and when
had finished, she laid one white, club.
by hand on my lap and the other on the
keys, saying, "Please play again; Rosa
like to hear you"
"And 30 your name IL RoaT an.
swered; "Rosa whatr
Rosa Lee Clayton. and that's my new
ma" she replied. pointing toward the
lady, whose usually pale cheek was for
an instant suffused with blush such
a. brides only wear.
knew now why had felt interested
In the child. II was the father whom
saw looking Mt me through the eyes Of
brown, and taking the little creature In
my arms, ] was about to question her
OF her sire, when an increasing glow on
the lady's cheek and a footstep In the
hall told me he was coming.
The next moment he stood before me
DIR. Clayton-his face perfectly unruf.
fed and wearing an expression Of con.
tent, at least. II not perfect happiness.
l was conscious Of a faintness stealing
over me, but by strong effort I shook
It OF, and rising to my feet, I offered
him my hand. which he pressed, saying,
This IL indeed a surprise. Rosa-I beg
your pardon, Mrs. Delafeld, I suppose p
I nodded In the affirmative, and was
about to say something more, when an.
other footstep approached. and my hus.
bands tall figure darkened the doorway.
For an instant they both turned pale,
and DR.. Clayton grasped the piano nerv.
Ously; but the shock soon passed away,
and then 40 friend meets friend after Q
brief separation. so met these two men.
who but the year before had watched
together over my pillow, praying the
one that might live. and the other that
I might die.
The fervid heat Of sumper has passed.
and the haxy light which betokens the
fall Of the leaf has come. On the north.
ern hills, they say, the November SHOWS
have already fallen, but we are still bask.
Ing In the soft sunlight Of a most glorious
autumn; and a. l write. the south wind
comes In through the open window, wills.
pering to me Of the fading flowers. whose
perfume It gathered as It Hoated along.
Just opposite me. In willow chair, with
her head buried In towering turban OF
royal purple. sits Juno. a middle-aged
woman. nodding to the breeze, which &C.
casionally brushes past her SO fast that
she lazily opens her eyes. and with her
long.heeled foot gives Jog to the rose.
wood crib wherein lies little tiny thing
which was left here five weeks ago to.
day. oh, how odd and funny 1t seemed
when Richard first laid on my arm lie.
tie bundle Of cambria and lace, and wills.
pered In my ear, "Would you like to see
our baby?"
Jessie was she baptized. Mrs. Ian
sings tears falling like rain on the face
of the unconscious child, which she fold
cd to her bosom as tenderly as II it had
indeed been her own lost Jessie come
back to her again. Upon Ada the arrival
of the stranger produced novel effect,
overwhelming her with such a load of
modesty that she kept out Of Richards
way nearly two weeks. and never once
came to see me until was sitting up In