Gilpin observer., 1908-11-19
AUTOBIOGRAPHY
OF A Blu R EAU
BY L. p. M'cauley.
Copyright. by Ford Pub. Coz

nate workmanship. That anu unuSua;-
ly handsome there can be no doubt,
for whenever a new acquaintance is
ushered into my presence hear such
exclamations as: "Oh, how beautiful"
What an exquisite old thing!" and
they gaze with delight at the elabor-
ately carved pillars which surmount
my wonderful claw feet, and touch
with an awed tenderness the shining
glass knobs which ornament my high
ly polished front.
That l am old, is equally true! can
not tell how old-some of the earlier
events Of my life are not quite clear,
but what l chiefly recollect is the hap
py time spent with my beautiful young
mistress. How well I remember her
the day 1 first saw her! She had been
away at a finishing school, and re-
turned on glorious summer after
noon. Through the windows in her
pretty bedroom, in which stood, the
soft breeze lifted the muslin curtains,
and stirred fragrant breath among
the roses which clustered about the
room and offered sweet welcome to the
homecoming of this lovely girl. had
heard the sound of carriage wheels
upon the gravel drive, then affection
ate greetings at the door, and before
long light feet tripping up the stairs.
bewildering creature of light and
life entered the room. Throwing her
wide-brimmed hat upon the bed, she
approached the corner where l stood
and peeped. for an instant, into the
quaint mirror which hung above me.
All. never did mirror reflect a fairer
vision of girlish loveliness
face of perfect oval framed by
floating masses of soft brown curls;
and meath delicately arched brows,
pair of innocent blue eyes looked
forth.
The happy years passed all too
swiftly, and l grew to love her more
and more. Her being seemed almost
a part of mine shared her sweet
secrets. and though she did not tell
me what those delicately tinted notes
contained, I knew them almost word
for word. She would read them again
and again. sometimes kissing them. as
young girls WILL and l felt l had
sacred mission to care for those treas
ures SO tenderly priced by her. She
had lovers, many Of them, and be-
lieve l knew almost as soon as she
which one she would accept.
With what keen delight I watched
her make ready for her bridal. and
as the beautiful gowns of rich bro
cade and shimmering gauze and silk
were carefully consigned to my ca
pacious depths. and the dainty articles
of feminine lingerie, many of them
fashioned by her own fair fingers,
was happy to protect.
All too swiftly sped the blissful
months; the joyous girl was now
happy wife, and l still shared her Sc
crets. Into her lovely face, once SO
gay and gladsome. had crept a
thoughtful, gentle expression. and her
slender hands were often busy now
shaping tiny. wonderful garments, and
as she bent over her work, there was
an expression in the blue eyes that
was almost divine. How sweet she
looked, as, with an air of shy mystery.
she would lead her husband to my
side and show him how the store of
little garments was increasing. How
the two would talk and plan together
for the future of this Wonderful Be-
ing, who was coming to make gladder
and fuller their wedding happiness.
But such bliss was denied this loving
pair. Her tender breast ne'er knew
the touch of baby fingers, nor her brow
the crown of motherhood. for she slept
beneath the early violets. .
Life was very different for me aft.
er she died. The room where she and
l dwelt so happily was closed for
long time, and the key was but sell
dom turned in the lock of "Letty's
chest" l was regarded as thing too
sacred to be approached carelessly.
Years passed, and troupe of young
meces made the old house ring with
life again. To them Aunt Lefty" was
only a name, for she, the eldest in a
large family, had passed from earth
many years before their advent, and
the old chest of drawers and the moss
grown tomb in the old-fashioned gar
den were objects closely allied, and
awe inspiring. AS the years went on
some Of the older girls were allowed.
as special reward Of merit, to take
peep into my sacred depths, and
their eyes would open wide with won
der as faded robe Of quaint design.
the wedding gown perchance, was
shaken from its folds Of yellowed tis
sue paper before their delighted gaze
The custodian Of these hallowed treas
ures was devoted sister, and at her
death she bequeathed me to a niece,
one of the wondering band of young
sisters. and a namesake of the lovely
woman who died long ere this Lefty
lived. And now, in her CHEEKY room,
live again. The face reflected In my
| .saixr1,r,c dox,ths g 10 not fair