Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-08-06

stored. L ne general aspect OF the place showed
the helpless decay of past grandeur, and yet the
drab beauty of dignified death was on it all. The
magnificent water oaks that bordered the avenue
leading from the house to the main road had not
been topped and trimmed in many year. The
rail fences rottng down and becoming
grown by riotous vines, weeds and bushes. The
cabins of what in better days had been the negro
quarter had suffered from the plague of ruin that
only few of them were now in use
At the gate the visitor turned his horse over to
colored man and went up the broad steps to the
door. His ring answered by a middle-a aged
colored woman, and he shown into cool, spa
cious drawing ROOM Mahogany furniture uphol-
stored in haircoth was placed here and there the
threadbare remains of fine old carpet. Ancient
brass candlesticks gave scant ornanentaton to the
white mantel piece a fireplace from whose
shadowy depths ferocious- headed andirons pro-
truded.
Hamburg soon apprized of the approach of
his hostess by light step in the hall and the rustic
of summer draperies. He stood up she entered.
In the low arrangement of her gown at the neck and
the high beauty of her 1uxrlriant hair she was
strikingy like the painting of her grandmother
;mOng the family portraits the walls As he
took her extended hand, the visitor found himself
;Gain under the spell she had thrown upon him
when he had met her in the gay whirl of social
Augusta.
You see l did find my way after ALL he said
to a certain embarrassment that unusual
to him.
Yes, you better than gave you credit for
being" she retortcd with a smile. Il confess |
thought all you said about coming was jest pure
and simple. As it is, | must punish myself with
the knowledge that your business drew you
far Dudley; but | you | an grateful for
the hot dusty drive of eighteen miles through the
country"
Hamburg felt himself coloring. The truth is he
laughed Il persuaded my partners to let me attend
to the matter at Dudley. 1t could have been
arranged by mail-in fact he laughed they'll
have do it that way, for did even stop there
| wired them to write to the parties-that | had
met an old college friend and gone fishing
Well, slight flush of embarrassment flowing
her patrician features, you may be good
as your word; my father is very fond of fishing
and the river is only few miles distant" She
glanced toward the door. Il hear his horse
the avenue now; he has been to the post-office"
moment later Colonel Hasbrook came in his soft
gray hat and riding-whip in hand his trousers
neatly folded in the tops of his high boots. He
was thin nervous man with irongr hair. His
health could not have been good for his skin was
almost colorless and his hands quivered.
Welcome, sir!' he exclaimed cordially as he
Clasped the hand of the visitor and shook it. Sorry
| can't receive you as did my friends before the
war Why, sir this old wreck used to ring with
music and laughter. Every room in the house
was full of young folks They came from Savannah
Charleston, and Richmond. We made EN-
have good time; but that's all gone, Mr.. Hamburg
the glory of the past in the old South has gone
out like candle can't keep that up and
pay off mortgages. | confess | can't fight present
conditions, The order is best, doubt, for
you young bloods, but it plays the deuce with us
old ones. 1t caught our backs
Il knew your father, sir He was lucky in
being born without dollar, for it was the making
of him, and his grit is showing itself in you. You
pretty welk known around here There is