Newspaper Page Text
OL. XIX.
COLUMBUS, GEORGIA, SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 1877.
the m E.vr.
in CI.EMMEB IX the ixdependext.
( ,ut the great world’s rush and din
.. ri .pjnne a guest;
inner court he entered in,
• sit at rest.
„tiie wild tide of affairs
'The'nates were closed:
I r tl,e hungry host of cares
last reposed.
n through the dim doors of the past,
til pure of blame,
l*iyi>h memories floating last—
His mother’s name.
... i 'all tliis loud world calls the best
T il give," he said,
.r„fi-cl her hand on her dear breast
f, i lean my head.
-I'rrv within the crowned day.
That would lie joy,
,. ilU | ( ] s he but bear me far away,
! (mre more her boy.”
Mini's strength is weakness, after ail—
Hr stood confessed • ....
v,.ne quite can still the heart’s wild call,
None quite are blessed.
.,. r0 ss the face that knows no fear
' n shade swept fast,
■jsifa following angel near
' That moment passed.
The sacred silence of the moon
Did softly stir;
H splendor grew within the bloom
’ uf her, of her!
nut to 'be great world's rusli and din,
IT,. gone my guest;
The battle blame, the praise men win
Are his—not rest.
Tar out amid the earth’s turmoils
\ strong man stands,
Cpheld in triumph and in tolls
By unseen hands.
But who may lift with subtle wand
The masks we wear?
[only know his mother's hand
Is on ills hair.
I only know through all life’s harms,
Through sin’s alloy.
Somehow, somewhere that mother s arms
Will reach her boy.
USES TO A TEACUP.
Dear little teacup
Oh! my rare wee cup. .
Work of Celestials! you must bo divine;
Tea no one drank in
Porcelain of Nankin
Ho lit to rank in
Richer cernmic collections than mine.
Those curious blue marks,
Not shaui but true marks,
Provo you are nearly five centuries old;
In your young beauty
Perhaps you did brew tea
For tlio King Chuty, , ,.
Robed like the sun in a mantle or gold,
Where Is his charmer?
Who would dare harm her.
She who ruled over the ruler of men!
Put in the places
Which knew her graces
She left no traces.
They have forgotten their fair denizen.
She was not brittle.
Frail perhaps a little,
Why is she missing, and you here to-day?
Say by what token
You are unbroker^
Patent, to no ken _-
is t tie <1 stinet ion, for Mb are of clay.
—Z.t'3gRe Living Age.
| Written for the Sunday Enquirer.]
THAT WIDOW.
An Original Story in Two Parts.
HY JfET.I> TKI.Ti.
CHAPTER I.
Tt was ut the close of a soft Decem
ber day that I first heard of “that
Widow.” Sitting on the front ver
andah, dreamily watching the fog
rime, rise in feathery haze, from the
bosom of the lake, and intercepting
like a filing curtain, the magical tint
of the setting sun, I spied my uncle,
Bindley Rawlins, driving home,from
the boat-landing, where he had gone
to see a friend off and get our mail.
“Any letters?” I asked, as he came
up the steps.
“A dozen or so,” he replied, fumb
ling in his coat pockets,
“Oh! what a(treat!” joyously reach
ing out my hand for them as I spoke.
He extended but one.
“This must satisfy you for to-day,
Bessie, the others are mine.”
I gulped down my disappointment
its I strained my eyes for a sight of
the post-mark, then followed Uncle
to the supper room, where mamma
and sister Lulu were awaiting us.
The writing was altogether strange
to me, and hastily breaking the seal,
I turned to the signature for enlight
enment, but was no wiser, until I had
read it through.
“Who is your letter from?” in
quired mamma.
“A stranger, subscribing herself
Agnes St. Ledger, and enclosing one
from Flora Wharton.”
“Agnes St. Ledger! A high-
sounding patronymic,truly,” laughed
Uncle. “And what does this grand
dame have to say for herself?”
/She lias written to know if upon
the strength of Flora’s introductory
recommendation, we can hoard her
for the winter.”
.Uncle Lin made a funny little
•urtinoee 'and shook his head.
“No hoarders, sister,” he said, look
ing at mamma; “I, for one, shall
certainly veto any such trouble and
iiotlier.”
Mamma smiled sympathetically
back upon him but remained silent.
“Just listen first and hear what
Flora writes,” I said.
“Dear Bessie—I am now on the
eve of leaving Philadelphia for Eu
rope, and at the request of Mrs. St
Ledger, write to introduce her to
your kind offices and beg that you’ll
persuade your mother and Mr. Raw
lins to take her as a boarder in your
family for a few months. She is a
young widow, not long returned from
abroad, and fearing to risk our North
ern winters, wishes to spend the cold
season in the mild climate of Florida,
if she can obtain pleasant accommo
dations in a private house. I hope
there will he no difficulty about your
taking her, as she is in all respects a
splendid woman, and has been known
t° our family many years. She is
Wides a lady of wealth and culture,
without children, and I can safely
promise that you’ll never regret any
courtesies that you may show her.
% only fear is that bearish misan
thropic recluse, Lindley Rawlins,
k*Li (be sure aud show him this)
will offer some unreasonable objectr
Lns to my pet plan for the comfort
»tul pleasure of my friend, Agnes St.
Ledger. If he does bid him beware
°t a foiled woman’s direct vengeance
* *‘ en we meet again, as I shall prove
ttflpiacable. I am much cramped
Be,
for time now, hut will write more at
length when we reach Paris.
“Very truly,
“Fiajra Wharton.”
I finished reading and waited for
their comments. Uncle Lin said
nothing, hut gave a disapproving
grunt as he left the table to find his
solace, play-thing, idol; in other
words, his only child baby, Bob.
Still in the prime of life, and a fine
specimen of physical and intellectual
manhood, he had unfortunately lost
his cherished wife at the birth of this
son, three years ago, and mother
now lived with him and superintend
ed his household affairs. We once
resided in Georgia altogether and had
still a summer place in tli^ mountains
of that 8tate, but F . .da was now'
our home, usually from October until
May. Uncle had built for himself a
handsome villa on the shore of Lake
Colah, and several other gentlemen,
following his example, the borders of
the lovely sheet of water bad assumed
quite a town-like appearance.
“Well,” I said, “what have you to
say about receiving Mrs. St. Led
ger?”
Mamma did not reply immediately,
but Lulu, an impulsive girl, got in
her turn and said:
“To be sure we must take her. It
would never do to refuse since she
will come so well recommended.”
“I am afraid Lindly will never
consent. He cares for nothing now
but Bobbie and his gun,” at length
answered mamma, looking slightly
troubled.
“Oh, but you cau get around him,
I dare say, mamma,” pleaded Lulu;
“and the question ought to be de
cided to-night, for the lady begs an
early response.”
“Perhaps you could obtain board
for her at Mrs. Ellington’s; her house
is not yet filled up. But let me see
the lady’s letter,” and mamma drew
the lamp toward her and proceeded
to read it.
“Did you ever hear Flora speak of
her before, Bessie?” she said at last,
looking up.
“No ; I think not. But then Flora
says that she has lived ahi’oad for
several years, and ‘out of sight out
of mind,’ you know.”
I had been educated in Philadel
phia, at the same school with Flora
Wharton, where we had become fast
friends, and our friendship, unlike
that cf most school girl attachments,
had suffered no diminution after our
separation. We still kept up a close
correspondence and never permitted
our affection to languish or wane
through absence.
Mamma now appeared thoughtful
for a little moment, then said:
gl“I can’t see any objection to accom
modating Mrs. St. Ledger if she is a
worthy person, and that we can not
doubt since your friend writes so
highly of her. But you must consult
your uncle befoi’e anything is defi
nitely decided.”
I went out and found him engaged
in a game of romps with babie Boh,
and told him Mrs. Sr. Ledger solicited
an immediate answer. She was stop
ping in Savannah, where she would
remain until she heard from me, and
that since mamma was willing to re
ceive her the matter now rested en
tirely with him.
He stopped in his rapid race up and
down the hall, and, with Bob perched
upon his shoulder, turned and faced
me as I spoke.
“Shall I write her to come, Uncle
Lin?”
“If you want to drive me from
home, do so. There are dozens of
other places around here where she
could find comfortable quarters with
out coming here to turn things topsy
turvy, with her grand foreign airs
and graces, and expecting me, on all
occasions, to play devoted attendant.”
And he gave me such a distressed
glance of comical humor that I
laughed in spite of myself.
“I’ll engage she’ll not disturb you,
and will warn her to expect nothing
from you but the barest civility.”
^Everything is so free and easy
here now I don’t like to contemplate
the change should this fine-traveled
lady arrive.”
“Well, let Bobbie decide for you,”
I entreated.
“Don’t you want to see pretty new
lady, Bob, that will give you candy
and ever so many drums and bugles ?’ ’
I asked, coaxiugly.
He nodded his bead sagaciously,
quietly turning his wondering eyes
upon his father, as the latter said, a
little impatiently:
“Bah! that is not the question,
Bess. Listen, my son, must papa
have a woman here that will faint at
every speck of dirt upon your chubby
face, and cuff .you into the bargain, if
you once misbehave?”
“For shame, Uncle Lin! . How can
you talk such nonsence?”
Bob evidently did not comprehend
the drift of these contradictory ques
tions, but struck by the mention of
drums and sugar plums cast his vote
in my favor.
“We will consider the matter set
tled then, and I’ll write without delay
that she can come.”
“I suppose so,” he replied, but not
a bit cheerfully.
The letter was written and mailed.
Ten days passed, and at length
come the day that heralded the ar
rival of Agnes St. Ledger.
Uncle Lin vowed he would not
meet her at the boat. "The carriage
and horses were there—command
them,” he said. As for himself he
thought it quite likely he would
leave home for a seeason, until Mrs.
Saint Ledger’s departure. He only
hoped there would prove no incon
gruity in her name and character.
Knowing his attachment to home
and his darling boy, I did not much
regard this threat. But such shock
ing prejudice fretted me, and I retort
ed that he was unjustly sacrificing a
stranger on the altar of Flora’s short
comings. If the latter had sinned
in jestingly calling him a “bearish,
misanthrope” surely the widow was
innocent. He laughed merrily at
that and good humoredly bade me
have my own way.
It was a day of mingled sunshine
and shadow with a light haze fring
ing the distant horizon, that Lulu
and I went down to the steamer for
our expected guest. And before she
had been with us two days Lulu had
quite succumbed to her wonderful
fascinations. Older and more cau
tious, I did not let my first impres
sions of pleasure altogether obscure
my judgment. Mamma, likewise,
was equally pleased, and secretly con
gratulated herself on having so charm
ing an addition to the family circle.
Uncle Lin did, truly much to my
suprise, go away for a week. I was
so anxious for him to see Mis. St.
Ledger, and curious to know how she
would impress him, I was really vex
ed he should lose a moment in meet
ing her. I do not think the first ac
quaintance of any one could have
promised more, and when he was in
troduced to her at tea a few days be
fore Christmas, he could not help
furtively watching her, nor could I
help watching him. There was so
direct a contrariety of feature and ex
pression about her face, that it set me
to wondering. Very pale she was,
with great slumbering oriental eyes,
and lips arched and dyed with the
cherry’s own red, parting o’er teeth
the most beautiful. She talked well,in
a voice perfectly modulated, but there
was an expression of reticence and
self-control, about the mouth that ill-
comported with her quiescent, indiff
erent attitude and such grand, pas
sionate eyes. But it is useless attempt
ing to portray such a face. Not even
a Titiens could have caught all its
marvellous changes, though he would
have delighted to paint such hair as
crowned her low, broad forehead. It
was of a most peculiar and uncom
mon coppery tinge, that in some
lights, seemed to glow with a metal
lic lustre, and, I am quite sure, I nev
er saw just such another suit like it.
Her dress was usually black, exceed
ingly rich and tasteful, but with no
hint of mourning about it, and she
had certainly a great penchant for
rare old laces circling throat and
wrists, and was never seen without
these beautiful adjuncts adorning her
toilette. Indeed the prim, quaker-
like linen cuffs and collars, now so
much in vogue, would have appeared
out of plaee on the person of this
dainty woman. To-night she talked
less than usual, and her quiet, reserv
ed bearing seemed almost icy as she
briefly replied to the occasional re_
marks of Uncle Lin. I was glad
when he left the table and took the
first opportunity of whispering, “How
do you like her?”
He pinched my ear and smiled pro-
vokingly, “Don’t be so curious, Bess;
I’ve formed no opinion yet.”
“But isn’t she very beautiful ?”
“Her face is too cold.”
“Just wait until you know her bet
ter,” I began.
“How long have you known her?”
he interrupted.
“Oh, but you must really like her,
for we have all fallen in love with
her, and I’m so anxious to get an
other letter from Flora Wharton tell-
ling me where to address her that I
may thank her for sending us so
charming a person.”
“Better wait, Bessie, you may have
cause to change your opinion.”
And being a man that noticed tri
fles escaping the observation of others
he told me. that be had remarked
about her that peculiar manner that
indicated self-restraint and an effort
to hide her real self from the world.
“An actress, Bessie—nothing natu
ral about her,” he said.!
Perhaps her life has not been all
sunshine, and to suffer and make no
sign is the fate of many. It may be
hers for ought he knew to the contra
ry. But men are all alike these days
and prone to discover faults where
none exist.
“That is a serious charge, my,
dear.”
“But none the less true.”
“I thought, however, you had form
ed no opinion, but it seems that you
have thoroughly criticised her. Take
care, Mon. Uncle, that you are not
raving about this same actress in less
than a month.”
The more he saw of her the better
he thought of her, and baby Bob had
ceased to care for any one else. The
fact is, notwithstanding her ex
clusiveness, she had already become
a general favorite with both residents
and boarders of the Lake Shore, and
ere she had been with us three weeks
many of the gentlemen sought to
make a divinity of her and proceeded
to downright worship. This, howev
er, she would not permit, but she
could not prevent two or three instal
ling her in Jlie empty niches of their
hearts, aud, lost in wonder and admi
ration, surveying at a respectful dis
tance her attractive charms. lone
Carey, regarding her as a formidable
rival in her own dominions, and
trembling for the throne of her belle-
ship, jealously pronounced her a sor
ceress. But she was only a lovely ac
complished woman, who might have
reigned supreme as a young empress,
had she so desired. But nothing was
farther from her intention, for no one
could appear more retiring or exclu
sive.
She would never accompany us on
any of our fishing excursions or pic
nics amongst the orange groves, but
with a book, or only Robbie for a
companion, wander off to some quiet
nook in the beautiful grounds, whilst
we formed parties for outdoor pleas
ure, and had a merry good time gen
erally.
I think some of the neighboring
girls were at first disposed to envy
her the notice she attracted, and the
proffered adoration and attentions of
their beaux, but she had so quickly
convinced them that she had no
thought of interfering with any of
their plans, and so withdrew herself
from all competition and observation,
that the feminines were soon restored
to good huipor. It was her custom
to play for an hour every evening at
twilight, if the parlor was deserted—
and it usually was at that hour. This
becoming known, both gentlemen
and ladies came over without cere
mony to hear he, but it did not last
long, for as soon as she dis
covered to what her talent was lead
ing, she no longer gratified us.
“What a queer creature she is,”
said Belle Lamon. “Now, if I could
perform like that, I would be always
wanting an audience.”
“It is too bad to loose such music,
and what a slrange whim not to play
for others, or want them to enjoy it,”
grumbled Lulu.
Mr. Hay, who was Belle’s most de
voted cavalier, sagely remarked, that
“her selections were as singular as
her performances both grand
and magnificent, and that he had
never heard a mere amateur render
so faultlessly those soul-inspiring
themes of Chopin, Beethoven and
other old masters.”
“Does she sing?” questioned
handsome Walter Lee, whom every
one pronounced a dandy, and who
was certainly very lazy.
Uncle Lin, who happened to be
of the conclave, looked' at me for in
formation.
“She does,” I replied, “but it is
like her playing, full of weird, un
canny sweetness, unlike any voice I
ever heard before. But, I must also
add,that I have heard her but twice.”
“These evening concerts we can’t
relinquish; they are such a pleasure
way down here amidst these tropic
wilds, and I would willingly walk
two miles to enjoy them,” said Wal
ter.
“Just listen to him,” screamed Lu
lu. “O, Mr. Lee, I didn’t believe
even Von Bulow or Rubenstein could
entice you to such wonderful exer
tion.”
“Perhaps they could not,” he re
plied significantly. “I was not
speaking of the piano-smashers. But
suppose we appoint a committee to
wait on this invisible lady and en
treat her to take pity on our famish
ing musical dearth, and favor us oc
casionally.”
“That would be utterly useless,” I
said. “But we can adopt the ruse of
not appearing to care, and sedulously
keeping out of the way, by strolling
in the garden or grounds, where we
can hear equally well, without intru
ding upon her, and by this means
lure her back to her evening prac
tice.”,
“Agreed,” said all but one, and he,
Uncle Lin, said nothing.
My prediction, after the adoption of
my suggestions, was verified, and
Mrs. St. Ledger resumed her music.
Mamma was so perfectly de
lighted with her that she wanted
Uncle Lin to regard her with the
same preference, and was constantly
expatiating in his presence on her
beauty and worth, until I pointed
out to her that such praises so cease
lessly chanted would only result in
defeating her wish and that she ought
to be a more wily conspirator than
thus to show her hand early in the
game.
“Well, I do really want him to
like her,” she' answered, “and noth
ing would please me better than to
see him a captive to her witcheries.
Somehow she has found her way to
my heart, and I sincerely wish she
could find her way to his.”
“Don’t let him find out you are hop
ing any such thing, or you’ll never
achieve your wish. Uncle has his
strong points, and 'one of them is to
think for himself. Besides, you do
not seem to consider the lady's feel
ings at all.”
He treated her very courteously—
that was only natural—and from his
manner I think he studied her closely
when none others suspected it. But
after that first conversation with -me
he had given no sign that his impres
sions then formed were ever changed.
One rainy day, when our gay party
did not meet, and only the home folks
were about, she came down from her
room, where she had been for several
hours alone, and sought the parlor.
Uncle Lin was there, seemingly ab
sorbed in his newspaper. She did
not perceive him until she had raised
the piano, then made a movement as
if to go away. He saw her doubt and
hastened to say, “I hope you will
not mind my presence, Mrs. St.
Ledger, but the truth is, I am fear
fully bored with my own company,
the weather, and everything else, and
was just wishing for you ”
She gave him a little shy flitting
glance.
“Wishing to have you repeat for
me,” and he emphasized the pronoun
“that quaint little air you played last
night.”
“Do you refer to ‘Lorely?’ ” and
she seated herself and struck a few
chords.
“I am not sure that it is,” he re
plied, leaning beside the instrument.
“But Ido wish you would let me
come in sometimes and listen, for
when I am out and hear you I find
myself longing to be nearer, but dare
not approach without your permis
sion.”
“You are very good to care for my
music, and if it gives you pleasure
you are welcome to come in whenev
er you like.”
“It does give me pleasure, great
pleasure. It is so unique, so different
from all other. There is more true
melody, more soul in one of your
pieces than in a dozen modern ope
ras.”
She hardly relished this compli
ment, but, assured of his sincerity,
said simply: “It is a great comfort
to me, and is associated with much
that is bright and beautiful in the
past. Besides, it rests me and brings
peace.”
“Peace of mind ? Your music is
then to you what David’s was to
Saul.” And he regarded her curious
ly-
She replied only by a little shrug
of the shoulders, and then sang
Lorely,’ and as the song advauced
he saw her whole expression change.
No one could now call that face cold.
It seemed glorified, and her voice
voice thrilled him as none other had
ever done. For some moments after
she had concluded he did not speak,
but appeared in a deep revery.
He had no fears of felling in love
with her, for he had loved passionate
ly his dead wife and fancied that
feeling could never be supplanted by
another. But the very peculiarities
and air of shrinking indifference to
his tardy advances to a better ac
quaintanceship on the part of the
widow, now interested him in spite
of himself.
Two days after the weather cleared
up and the sun shone out bright and
warm, as May Bell Lamon came over
to tell us we were all to go across the
Lake to a grand affair at Col. Libby’s
the next day.
“You’ve heard about it, haven't
you, Bessie?” she asked, perfectly en
thused over the pleasure in store for
us.
“Oh, yes, I have just received a
note from Ethel Sibley enclosing in
vitations for us all.”
“Well, the programme is to start
early, spend the day, and return a
little before nightfall. Mr. Rawlins
will go I hope. It would be delicious
to carry him alopg with us, and we
must secure Mrs. St. Ledger’s com
pany, too.”
“I think it likely we can persuade
Uncle Liu to go, but it would be
worse'than useless to mention it to
Mrs. St. Ledger. Indeed, I have not
done so, knowing her dislike to such
parties.”
“Where is she? Let me see her
and try the powers of my persuasion
upon her obdurate heart.”
“She is in her room, I believe. But
I tell you, Bell, your entreaties will
be fruitless.”
“That remains to be tried,” and
the giddy girl ran off to find the
widow.
I followed more sedately, and was
greatly astonished to hear her consent
to go.
The morrow found the large crowd
ready to embark. We had secured
half a dozen skiffs, and the gentle
men were to row us to our destina
tion. Bobbie, eluding the vigilance
of his nurse, crept down after us to
the beach, pleading to be taken.
“Pshaw! who wants a baby on
such an excursion as this,” exclaim
ed Lulu. “Go back, Bobbie, go
back, and wait until you grow a lit
tle more.”
Uncle Lin bad always refused to
take him on the water in a small
boat, for the little imp was the per
sonification of perpetual motion, and
it was more than probable that he
would go to the bottom ere we had
gotten half way across. But he had
now a powerful ally in the widow,
who volunteered to look after his
safety, and it all ended in his being
gathered up and deposited in the boat
containing Cora Ellington, Mrs. St.
Ledger, Walter Lee, Uncle and my
self.
We reached the opposite side,which
was only about two miles across, in
good time, and everything promised
well for our anticipated pleasure.
The trip over had been delightful,
aud we found the Sibleys and others
on the shore to greet us. We landed
and dispersed—some eating fruits and
drinking tea, others arranging games
on the lawn, and still others in pairs
flirting neath the orange trees.
Mrs. St. Ledger, grasping baby
Bob’s hand, separated herself, after a
little while, from the rest, and glid
ing off to a rustic seat, began for his
entertainment a marvellous story of
fairyland. Walter Lee, desperately
in love, hovered near, and at last in
dolently approaching, said:
“I know you are wishing me in
Halifax, but it’s a sin for this per
verse youngster to engross all of your
company. Won’t you take pity on
me and let me sit here at your feet ?
I’ll promise to be very good and quiet
and not interrupt.”
Chary of words, she merely nodded
her assent, pointing at the same time
to a seat near, and smilingly contin
ued her story.
Walter sat and stared up at her,
listening in a lover’s trance to her
low, sweet voice. His eyes were
speaking that which his lips feared
to utter, and under his breath he was
softly 'sighing—“St. Agnes! St. Ag
nes ! How well her name suits her.”
But he wanted to talk to her and
have her talk to him, and was
growing decidedly impatient at her
devoting all her attention to Bob and
none to himself, and began consign
ing the favored infent to some not
very agreeable places, when the little
fellow, showing signs of weariness
curled himself up in the arms of St.
Agness and soon slept. Secretly re
joicing at this proceeding, Mr. Lee,
enquired “what she would do with
him ?”
“Call a servant, please,” she re
plied, “and I will send him into the
house, that he may be put comforta
bly to bed for his noon nap.”
Uncle Lin, passing by, was not in
sensible to the striking tableaux. The
beautiful picture of the widow, en
folding his sleeping boy, affected him
more than he liked to own.
“Let me relieve you, Mrs. St. Led
ger,” he said, stopping and taking
the child, who had one little arm
firmly elasped around her neck, he
bore him off toward the house, pilot
ed by the servant, who had now come
up.
“What a blessing sleep is,” said
Walter sententiously, not knowing
what else to say just then.
“And how terrible to be deprived
of it,” she replied. Are you a good
sleeper, Mr. Lee
“I believe so, when my conscience
doesn’t happen to hint of past mis-
At tire mention of conscience, she
raised her eyes from the (flower she
was plucking in pieces and; said:
“I hope you are not troubled with
anything so old-fesbioited as con
science. I buried mine years ago.”
“Yes, I comprehend: And you
have never done anything since to
resurrect it. I can believe you fault
less.”
He spoke warmly. But she looked
so fair, and cold and apathetic.
“Believe no such thing, But hark,
some one is calling me.”
Several persons now came up beg
ging that she would go in and play
for them. Bob was fortunately out
of the way, and she must for once
carry her amiable complacency so far
as not to refuse.
Uncle Lin, who had again joined
her, stood by and as usual said noth
ing. He evidently liked to be with
her. She was a problem for him to
solve, but it was only when away
from the glamour of her magnetizing
presence that he could coolly scruten-
ize or attempt an analysis of what ap
peared so inexplicable about her. He
could not prevent the coming at
times of a vague, settled conscious
ness that all was not fair and open
with this fascinating widow—some
thing hidden. But what? He could
not lay hold of a single act, word or
expression to beats, out his mental ac
cusations, but for all that he felt
them.
Another surprise was iu store for
me. Without a single word of denial
she now arose, and signifying her
willingness to please them, walked
away.
There was no consistency about the
woman. Why should she always be
fore so persistently refuse all our in
vitations to accompany us on parties
of pleasure, and yet come to-day; and
why decline’playing for us at home,
and now so readily comply ?
Walter Lee stood a little behind the
rest, and I saw him pick up the sprig
of blooms that she had been han
dling, and place them in his vest
pocket. Poor fellow, he was in a bad
way, and so were several other fel
lows, for that, Walter; but luckily
for them the widow was no coquette,
and treated them all alike—much as
a queen would her devoted subjects.
I have said that Mrs. St. Ledger was
rather peculiar, but to-day she devel
oped such new phases of character,
that we all regarded her with aston
ishment.
The first piece she executed was a
slow, stately composition, full of fu
neral suggestions, that lone Carey
declared made her flesh creep to hear,
her face all the while en rapporte with
the mournfully solemn chords. Then
before we had recovered from the
doleful depression of the dirge, she
struck off into a brilliant gallop that
set half a dozen couples whirling
around the room. Uncle Lin and I
observed attentively this change from
one extreme to the other, and saw her
whole face lighten, the slumbering
eyes awoke and laughed and spark
led, the ruby lips discarded their re
straining reticence, and wreathed
themselves in dimpling smiles, and
she seemed wholly transformed, her
fingers flew over the keys, and the
merry dancers spun around like so
many dervishes.
Uncle~saw the amazement written
on my features and whispered:
“She puzzles me more than ever.
Her eccentricities are positively re
freshing.”
And then he fixed his earnest eyes
on her glowing face, and I realized
that she was to him all the more in
teresting and perhaps fascinating
from the new role she was now act
ing.
I marveled how long this mirthful
freak would last—that it would prove
but transitory I could well believe.
She played for an hour or more I
ihink, and then we all went out to
lunch beneath the soft tropic sky.
Uncle Lin walked beside her, and
I heard him say:
‘Excuse me, but you have set me
to wondering.”
“How so ? I am sure I did not in
tend it, and hope the offense is not
unpardonable.”
“By no means. It is a new and
delicious sensation, for I thought I
had quite reached the stage where
nothing could surprise me, but to-day
you have convinced me that I am
still capable of surprises.”
‘To what do you allude ?”
‘To that radical and bewildering
change in yourself.”
“It is now my turn for astonish
ment.” And she raised her magnifi
cent eyes for a moment to his.
The flush of excitement still dyed
her cheeks, and her usually serene
features were glowing with spirited
animation.
“You seem now quite metamor
phosed from the grave, exclusive per
sonage whom I have hitherto known.
I have fancied you at times mourn
ing over buried hopes or else doing
pennance for your sins against some
poor mortals like myself.”
She laughed a little, soft gargling
laugh, and turned towards him her
brilliant face. “It may be you are in
some sort right, Mr. Rawlins, but I
assure you my transgressions against
your sex are not heavy, and I shall
begin to think your estimate of me
pretty low, as you intimated a few
evenings since that I had an evil
spirit to be exorcised by music. You
see I have not forgotten your smart
allusions to David and Saul.”
We now had reached the tables 9et
under the spreading branches of the
live oaks that cast their exquisite va
riations of light and shadow o’er the
tender green of the grassy lawn, and
I still caught myself watching Mrs.
St. Ledger. She stood a little apart
from the rest with Uncle Lin—a
brimming glass of wine in her shape
ly hand, which she had wreathed
about with a spray of jessamine.
“Foryou,’’she said, presenting it
to him, and then she sang a snatch
of a joyous little drinking song:
“Aye, fill the cup again—fill to overflowing,
Hearts with it glowing laugh at all pain.”
Mr. Lee was also closely observing
her, as indeed, to tell the truth, were
many others.
“She seems bewitched to-day,” I
said.
“Rather say bewitching,” he re
sponded. “I had almost despaired of
ever seeing the icicle thaw, she ap
peared always so cold and distant,but
no one could be more social and cap
tivating than she now seems. Can
you explain the change?”
“Not I, for I am equally surprised
and puzzled with yourself.”
The day passed pleasantly enough
and the widow still continued the
gayest of the gay. But whfen we
were on our return home she relapsed
into her usual shell of reserve and
said but little.
Some of the party spoke of being
afraid, as there was a stiff breeze from
the east tumbling the lake into con
siderable waves, and occasionally the
ladies gave voice to their alarm in lit
tle cries of terror as the water sprin
kled them. All but St. Agnes—she
preserved the most impurturbabie
silence, trailing her hand in the wa
ter, or else engaged in soothing Bob
bie, who was unusually fidgety and
fretful.
“All cowards except Mi’s. St. Led
ger,” exclaimed Uncle Lin, resting
for a moment on his oars and looking
back at Cora and myself who were
babbling noisily of apprehended dan
ger.
“Are you not afraid, Mrs. St. Led
ger—just a little ?” I asked.
“Indeed I am, for the heavens in
dicate a stonn, in my judgment, and
if the whole truth was known I am
really a greater coward than any of
you ladies,” she replied.
As she spoke she turned to view
the clouds that were banking up in
the west, obscuring the sun, now
near its setting. Bob, taking advan
tage of her inattention to himself en
deavored to change his position, and
fell, with a terrific scream overboard.
Before he had scarcely realized what
had happened, Mrs. St. Ledger had
sprung after him, and in a moment
we saw her several yards away, sup
porting the struggling child on one
arm, while with the other she tried
to keep herself afloat.
Uncle Lin was in the water the in
stant his startled senses took in the
catastrophe, and Walter Lee manag
ed the boat admirably, trying to draw
near the party floundering in the
waves.
“Save the child, Mr. Rawlins,”
cried the heroic widow. “I can take
care of myself,” and relieved of her
kicking, half-drowned burden, she
swam easily to the boat, and with
our aid was soon lying exhausted in
my arms. Uncle Lin and the cause
of all this fright and danger, were
soon rescued too, and then every one
began extolling the presence of mind
and bravery of St. Agnes. The occu
pants of the other boats saw the
whole affair and hastened to come up
that they might add their praises and
congratulations to ours on this exhi
bition of heroism. But she appeared
totally indifferent to it all, and with
a modest flutter of the white lids
shading her superb eyes and drepeca-
ting shrug of the shoulders, begged
us “not to make such a fuss about
nothing.”
“Saint and heroine,” breathed
Walter, leaning over her.
She smiled wearily and the pearly
lids hid the saintly eyes.
Uncle Lin deposited the still fright
ened child in the lap of Cora, who
securely wrapping him in a shawl
held on to him much as if she ex
pected he would essay another
plunge. And as my handsome, dig
nified uncle shook the dripping wa
ter from his clothing, and prepared to
resume his oars, he for a moment
whispered his thanks in the ear of
the savior of his child. I saw him
make a motion as if to take her
hand, but restraining himself, eyes
and lips were left to express his grati
tude. There had been no answering
glance to the tender breathing of
Walter, but as uncle spoke, I observ
ed the pink flush rising o’er her
white cheeks, and the weary eyes
unfold, brighten and gleam, as I had
first seen them that day. And, no
ticing all this, I saw even more—that
she had uncautiously betrayed to my
prying gaze her secret. She liked
Uncle Lin—that was patent enough.
But somehow the knowledge did not
please me. The day before had I dis
covered it, I should have sincerely re.
joieed, but now, (after the table and
parlor scenes (at Col. Sibley’s, I felt
anything but glad, and might as well
confess it. I somehow doubted and
distrusted the widow.
We reached home without farther
accident, and after landing the whole
party gathered around Mrs. St. Ledg
er, to express their wonder and admi
ration at her daring.
“Oh, my friends,” she said, look
ing so pretty and frank, all drabbled
as she was, “please do not mention it
again. I did nothing, absolutely
nothing, that each one of you would
not have done, similarly placed. Ba
by Bob was in my charge, and I felt
keenly the responsibility.”
Lulu ran up, and embracing her
fondly, cried excitedly:
‘O, you brave darling! I did not
know before that you could swim.
But what a risk for your precious
life.”
“The risk for me was not much,and
under other circumstances, with
somoth water, I should rather have
enjoyed it.”
“Don’t detain her, Lulu,” I said.
“Come, Mrs. St. Ledger, and get off
those wet garments, and let mamma
care for you.”
Uncle Lin, with Bob, had already
arrived at the house and dispatched a
servant for a physician.
[conclusion next week.]
Saline Aperient.
What is it? It is a delightful and
sparkling effervescent purgative, acting
without pain or sickness, is sold at half
price, ana is far superior to nauseating
pills. No lady, no student, no traveler,
no professional man, should be without
it. It acts finely upon the bowels,gives
the bile a chance to escape and is a
splendid diuretic. One dose will con
vince any one of its great value.
no21 d&w2w
DRY CODD8.
At aud Below N. T. Cost!
Grat Sacrifice! Great SacriBee!!
In order to change our business, on and after this date we olftr
entire stock of
BOOTS, SHOES HATS.
at and below cost. We are determined to make a change, and da
ring the next 90 days
GREAT BA-IRiQ-A-IlTS!
will be offered everybody. We would prefer to sell the entire
stock in ONE SALE, and to responsible partieswe will sell a
great bargain, and rent them the OLDEST and BEST STAND ftr
DRY GOODS in the city.
We consider onr stock one of the best in the market—complete
in every respect.
^"COWIE ALL, where you can buy Goods as low
as you wish them.
JNO. MeGOUGH & CO.
N. B.—fi^DRESS GOODS lower than ever heart of before.
NEW
THIRD SHIPMENT
including our celebrated
DOLLAR
WILL OPEN MONDAY MORNING,
A FULL LINE
Gents’
In Operas and __ ,
toj-
New Bibs in white, light blue and pink;
Silk Corsets, Laces—the most exquisite line Crepe Lltse
Rufflings ever brought to this market.
Our stock of Kid Gloves is thorough In every respect.
An elegant line Black Alpacas from 25o. to $1.00 per yard.
Merino Underwear and Blankets a speoialty.
continue to offer Inducements in 'BLACK!
SILKS. Our Blaok Silk at $1.25 Is superior to any-
thing ever brought here.
Blanchard & Hill.
oed&wtf
Mammoth
OF FIRST
DRY GOODS!
AT BOTTOM PRICES,
• Comprising Largest Line of
DOMESTICS, CLOAKS,
BOOTS and SHOES,
SHAWLS, DRESS GOODS,
FLANNELS,
Gents’ and Boys’ HATS,
Ladies’ and Misses’ HATS and Yankee Notions
In the City, at WHOLESALE AND DETAIL.
T WILL begin on MONDAY, NOVEMBER 5th, to offer extraordinary
X inducements to the trading public. Give me a call and be convinced that
I sell at “hard pan prices.” __ - -
M. JOSKPB.
30 Bred
IV READY k the Fill CAMPffl!
M y NEW BUILDING HAS JUST BEEN COMPLETED, and I am now
entire building, with one of the largest sb^Ks.^uth. andJ>reporcxl to
anring tbs
oner eve*y
inducement of any jobbing House. Buyers should not fell to see my stock and prtoea.
I WILL NOT BE UNDBHSOLB.
DOMESTIC DEPARTMENT.—5,000 pieces of PRINTS, 5,000 pieces of
• CHECKS, 500 pieces BLEACH DOMESTICS, 200 pieces TICKING.
25 bales OSNABURGS, 25 bales 4-4 SHEETINGS; 25 bales T«
SHEETINGS.
WOOLEN DEPARTMENT.—500 pieces of JEANS, 300 pieces of CA88I-
MERES, 500 pieces of LININGS, 300 pieces of FLANNELS.
DRESS GOODS DEPARTMENT.—All the latest in Foreign and Domestta
manufacture.
WHITE GOODS DEPARTMENT.—IRISH LINENS, TABLE LINENS;
LAWNS, TOWELS, NAPKINS, COLLARS, CUFFS, Ac.
NOTION DEPARTMENT.—Largest and most complete ever offered, with ev
erything petaining to the line.
BOOT AND SHOE DEPARTMENT.—500 cases from Commonest to Best Hand-
HAYDEPARTMENT.—3,000 dozen FUR and WOOL HATS, direct front
Factory.
Wholesale House, 152 Broad Street, j .
154 « «
JA-IMIIES A. LEWIS.
Retail
d&w3m