The St. Louis Republic., 1905-08-06

stored. The general aspect Of the place showed
the helpless decay Of past grandeur. and yet the
drab beauty Of digniicd death il all. The
magnificent water oaks that bordered the avenue
leading from the house to the m;,in road had not
tccn topped and trimmed in many year. The
rail fences rotting down and becoming
grown by riotous vines. weeds and bushes. The
cabins Of what in better days had lecn the negro
quarter had suffered from the plague Of ruin that
only few Of them in use.
At the gate the visitor turned his horse over to a
colored man and went up the broad steps to the
door. HIS ring answered by a middle-agcd
colorcd woman and he Was shown into 4 cool spa
ciols drawing room Mahogany furniture uIhol-
stered in hairclo,h placed here and there the
thrcadi,are remains Of a fine old carpet. Ancient
brass Candlcsticks gave scant ornamcntaton to the
white n,antelliere fireplace from whose
shaiowy depths fcrocio,,s- headed andirons pro-
tr,,icd.
Haniury apprized Of the approach Of
his hostess bv light step in the hall and the rustic
"f drlIcrics. lie stood up she entered.
In the low arrangement of her gown the neck and
the high beauty of her uXuriant hair she
strikingiy like the painting Of her grandmother
among the family portraits on the walls !As he
took her extended hand. the visitor found himself
again under the spell she had thrown upon him
when ne had met her in the gay whirl Of social
augusta
You see I did find my way after ALL he said
To cover certain embarrassment that unusual
:" him.
Yes. you are better than gave you crcdi. for
Icing' she rctortcd, with 4 smile. II confess I
thought all you said about coming a Jest pure
and simple. As it is. I must punish myself with
the knowledge that your business drew YOU
far Dudley: hut assure YOU | grateful for
the hot. dusty drive of eighteen miles through the
country
H,ni,ury felt himself colorng. The truth is :" he
laughed Il persuaded my partners to let attend
to the matter at Dudley. IL could have been
arranged by mail-in fact" he laughed. they'll
have do il that way for did stop there
I wired them I" write q the I,artiss-that ! had
met old college friend and gone fishing.
Well a slight flush Of embarrassment flowing
her patriCian features You may be good
your word: my father is very fond Of fishing.
and the river is only 4 few miles distant. She
glanced toward the door 81 hear his horse
the now: he has been To- the lsst-ofice" "
y moment later Colonel H.sbro"k in his soft
gray hat and riding " hip in hand. his
neatly folded in the tops "f his high boots He
a thin nervous man with ir"n-gray hair. His
health could have been good for his skin
:,Il,'St coloress and his hands q,,ivcrcsi.
..WeI,or,t SIR" he exclaimed cordially. he
,i4slc the hand of the visitor and shook il. Sorry
can, receive you did my friends before The
Whv sir. this old wreck used {" ring with
Music and laughter. Every in :he house
full n Young folks. They from Savannah
Charleston. and Richmond We made EN-
have a good time: but that's al gone Nr Hamburg
the glory "f the past in the old South has gone
like candle. \ can't keep that up ard
i,av Of mortgages l confess | can't fg', present
CONDITIONS The order Is best. doubt. for
YOU Young hlo"is. h,,; i; riavs the deuce with
old ones. 1t caught our La, k.
II knew yo';r father, sir. He lucky in
hcing born without a dollar. for j; the making,
q; him. and his gri. is showing itself in you. You
are ;-cttv wcil-knnwn around here. There Is
hardly little crossroads merchant ;ha: does
h-Tl.!c YOUR goods and ship yor, his cotton Now
II have Pete show YOU III, :n yo-- room. Come
down, whenever YOU fee! like IL youli ind Evelyn
or NE on the lawn
After supper that evening Miss HaSiru"k brought
box .! cigars her father and lef, the two men