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THE SUNNY SOUTH, ATLANTA/GA., SATURDAY MORNING, NOVEMBER 29, 1890.
HAWTHORN;
A STORY OF TWO DECADES IN MANY STATES.
Bv Bismuth Miller.
tot the 8CSNT SOUTH. '
CHAPTER I.
It wu a pretty Tillage—that of Haw
thorn, situate la Central Georgia, and so
named alter the founder of a colony of
lte early settlers, who were Virginians.
On a "bright, particular” morning-
more than twenty years a gone—the hap
py villagers were astir betimes because
Of the expected reappearance in their
midst of John' Hawthorn, who, having
gone forth, a robust bachelor of forty, a
tew weeks before, was now on his way to
the village, bearing with him a ycung
and beautiful bride.
Quite sufficient would this last incl-
cident have been to awaken the folk to
wonderful interest even bad not John
Hawthorn been the principal citizen, an
open palmed patron asd a continual
Mend—all which he truly was. It
was the sum of the villagers’ wish
now to testify their appreciation for the
man by a spontaneous show of kindly
feeling for the new wife; ard they knew
no more simple and soulful way of doing
this then by meeting the pair with an
outburst of pub'c welcome. Hence the
crude structure down at the railway was
from hoar to hour the scene of animated
groups, anxiously awaiting the coming
train.
The manor like Hawthorn dwelling
crown* d a picture, quo eminence at the
base of which it was usual for the trains
to draw up and debark t’elr passeDger ;
and here, too, preparation of a more
sober character was j rocceding In view
of the coming event. Caleb, Mr. Haw
thorn’s somewhat eccentric gardener, a
broad, big hearted Scot, having long
swayed the botanical labyrinths, was
now, in the proprietor's absei.ee, quite as
came to think she was lacking in that sin
gle attribute whieb ebe rity can neither in
still nor jet bestow—tbai Inherent virtue
one m»y assume but never acquire—
moral prlndp e. Row defiant of author
Uy, seif willed, sometimes obstreperous,
often neglectful, the problem of her be
havior grew dally more perplexing, and
at length she was questioned as to its
meaning. A teacher with whom she had
always bsen a favorite called Benigna
into her room, and with calm, maternal
interest said:
“Benigna, daughter, yon must have oh
served our displeasure at your frequent
misbehavior, just as you must know that
your behavior f* r some time has been
unbecoming. We had hoped this would
be only temporary. Tell me, child, if it
is our fault that you have changed?”
With sullen emphasis, Benigna an-
“No; it’s nobody's fault but mine.”
* l in . r&tid .a iu n- ow mat,' sindly
istd the teacher; ‘‘for if the fault Is yours
I know you will correct it. If it were
ours, perhaps we should not know so
*ell west to do; for, my child, we've
dono every thing t ha , human thought can
contrive to make von good and happy.”
“’T s no fault of ycu>s,”tne girl re
peeted.
"Do you promise reform, Berigna,
knowing that you mnr>t go away if the
managers command L?”
‘‘X promise nothing,” answered Benig
na, stubborn ly.
•'ibO,, it ib possible yon wish to leave
US?”
* Yes—and I'm going.”
‘HowJ ’
* Tnat dot sn't matter,”
‘ Ar.d—whets?” urg, o the preceptor.
« that—1 w ill i*my answer that
hasty step descending the circular paved mide calls In the afternoon, and all were
way whlc a wound toward the mysterious profuse with cordial sympathies or com-
locos nh.thar three several vijloishad
be u drawn witoln that oue dark hour.
It was Benigna Bernard come abroad in
the gioom of the evening tj seek the mes
sage the nad by some sen of pantomime
been told to t xpeot. Of course, she did
not find it, sl diner lingering, undecided
manner, plainly observed by the hidden
watcher, eviucud that when she fal ed to
see the covet, d letter she was impret-sed
that it had nut been left -for her. Tula
was confirmed when she impatiently
burst form, alter a thorough search, say
ing, half to herself: “Confound that
feuowl” Bhe did not suspect the fatal
interception.
Benigna had slipped away from her
companions while tney were engaged at
evening prajer. It would have oeen a
glaring iuiraotion to have aoaented her
self from prayers without excuse. To
appear within toe ohapei, and then to re
tire unbidden, meant dins punishment.
To leave the building and wauder npon
the outer premises after sunset meant
dismissal. Doaotless, when sue set out
for the letter it was her wish to be dls-
rnt-sed, tor, as the sequel will show, it
was the only way she cuuid have com
ported with the instruction it contained.
Now tnat the message had failed her,
her predicament c.n oe imagined.
Meanwhile the night had passed—a
trying one for the inoonigible girl, who
wunio appear'on the morrow beiore the
august buaid of trustees. In doe time
the fugitive letter was produce**, its seal
broken, and the contents read in secret.
After a judicial fasi.ioo, Benigna was
summoui d to piead in Ubr owu behalf
Her conduct was such as to toroid even
a thought of clemency. Sue would not
appeal nor give promise for the future.
Staidly she stood to listen to such por
lions of the guilty letter mb she might
hear without o jtalning from it a cue for
her suosequeut wlcaed procedure. She
was voted instant dismis: al.
The letter proved to be from a young
ano t eel;k 63 son oi a rich mtrehaut whose
firm transact* d a lariie for*-!;;u business,
aisiniaineQ a branch in Liverpool, and
did their carrying trade principally in
their own ships Young Ro s—for that
wss his came—had met Benigna on one
of the “visiting days’ of tne asylum,
since which they hadcondrctidaeurrep
i tltions correspondence, aud he now
' pronoted that she should incite the
authorities to her expulsion and
Tills
I’m going.” " I then See to his protection,
•Auoti.er qurstion, ny child, and X am ' result i *>d evidently been sought for
done Why Ocyon goT” tome Umv.lut now the climax he bad
‘ Because I wish to.” | proposed to hasten. On this very morn
Afttr a short
the animus
sions which .
much her senior. “A few ytars ago,” j Citace! Actctn-y. , ,
aha said, ‘knowledge of n y unknown It was ceterniined to turn the letter
birth contluuaffy hu * bied ms, haunted ; over to tne fr'.her of George Ross for his
me in my dai.y life, in my hopes, and up | proper action. Thcrecou.d henotheught
- - • 1 of ailianco between a Res. and Benigna,
that whatever I might be, I could be ! and htnet R *ss senior resolved to frus
nothin; ; whatever i would be, I could irate the slightest contact between them,
cot be. i've outgrown that fancy. .Not ( Yount Ko8»» hiMsoJf cad retired uDder
that I will not always have to contend the ptrftci* conviction that his letter was
against the stigma of birth, but instead ! secure to Benigna.
of shrinking from the contest, 1 intend
to conquer. There's many a girl in
private life whoso origin, bring unknown,
makes her better, and thus, being un
known, makis me worse. It should
mate no i ifltrence In life; and, more
than that, it would make no ditforenoe
were it not for the thing the world calls
‘society.’ Society forever bars its doors
to me. It is the cream of my life to enter
t v ort—it is the purpose of my future to
shine there. Once in, and you 11 see that
I shall not be sought a'ter for creden
tials.”
"But how shall you enter there with
out then.?”
“J ust as one goes into a place of amuse
ment by paying one's way. They tell us
that virtue Is the only licblllty. May not
an ill born girl be virtuous—be noble—?”
“But society is aristocratic,” inter
jected the preceptor, “and do you not
remember that aristocracy is described
as that the plinth of whose allegory is
honorable birth? I am bu quoting.”
“Yes,” replied Bemgna, -out that is
tot the full description, for it runs In
this way: ‘whose plinth is nonurabie
birih, whose pedestal is irreproachable
character, whose shaft is pure Curlstt
aui’y.’ Now, here are ttreu conditions,
two of which 1 might hope to fulfill, and
yet 1 am to forego them all because the
first is iarpossib e to me. I am not to
strive for irreproachable Character and
dare not prey to be a pure Cbrts.iau, be
cause it is luipbEsibt-t for me-to pretend
potential in all the other economies, his s.t every thought of nr,y future. I knew ,
prompt coadjutors being Peter, the old- »■►»* t a*-..i.i t*. 1
time butler, ar.d Rebecca the cook, both,
exceptionally pi* ficient aud intensely
black.
It was late in October, and yet the at
mosphere ren-ainet balmy and the blithe
some airs blew as from the tropics. Frag
rant grasses and flowers filled the woods,
the wilds and hedges, and the gardens
knew yet no touch of frost. Everywhere
deep greeu trees brandished to wooing
breezes or bent to passionate gales, while
birds of rare note and feather, not leas
than insects that delight in weird dis
cords, maintained through the nearly
equal days and nights a continual hyper
bole of sung aud sound.
Thus evtry condition seemed so well to
suit tne eveut to wnicli all hearts w- re
constantly looking IhrougLcut the long
day—long, because so much of it hau
been passed in anticipation; yet brief,
because it belonged to auti.inn, The
Wisest of the throng could tell nothing of
the hour at whies Hawthorn and his
wife wos.d be at hano; he know only
that they would come to day. It was for
this, therefore, that the pertinacious
populace atilt lingered, all uncauntea,
even to the iste afternoon hour when the
red, resigning sou was poised al his wes
teramost exit and gaunt, indolent, shad
ows were plodding up tne easterly hill-
C.des.
But now tho long awaited train, having
announced i.s coining iu the uislancs,
rolled slowly into view and halted iis
hindmost ccach at too bread steps that
went up to the gate ot Haw thorn s gsr
den. _ ——
The pleased, rather surprised, face of
John Hawthorn prestmiy whb seen at
the rear piauorm, lam which he aught
ed and turned to ex.vnd liia open arms.
Into these a fair aha lovely woman uu-
iiiiu^union.r~t^ffele *ccalmo
tion and lustily Chemed. -4. non they im
perilously rusLed forward to grasp the
man's hand ai,o greet his girlish wilfe,
with w horn they were already clear:y m
love.
The sw*et stranger, disconcerted by
this urexpect- d Oi mi-nsliation, was for
■i* instant motionless and silent; but she
rallied, to gracious y bow and smile.
Hawthorn himself was no more at ease.
He was both embarrassed and touched
Much as he loved these people, be
had not hitherto creamed ofthedrpth of
their esteem. Resuming his poise, he
promptly led his wife toward the steps,
ascending which, they together paused
when they had reached the gate, he to
remove his hat and bow his tbauks whilst
she repeatediy kissed her fair hand to
the crowd welch sw. yed below.
At this moment Caleb, pardonably dis
tended with a new Importance, Btepped
nimbly from within, to convoy the new
comers along the tor! uous garden paths
unto the great balcony stairway ascend
ing from the main walk to the hall en
trance.
The heavy mahogany door was already
thrown open, and st its side was posted
Peter, who, as the happy couple mounted
to the laticir g, performed an excruciat
ing obeisance w hose depth and meaning
•re unintelligible to tho “enfranchised”
of our day.
A coroial condescension rewarded bis
politeness.
A faintest ray of the fallen sue flashed
across the burnished panel as the broad
door was swung buck to Us place, stut-
tlig John and Corstance Hawthorn
within and leaving in twilight silence
and peace the fertile scene ol our Geor
gian drama.
Seated with his family at dinner, Ross
senior, having at the side of his plate a
bates ot for ign business correspondence,
was afforded an cccarion to open out, as
if casually, the subject on which hinged
his happy plan to defeat the younger
Ross's intended ciime aud foily.
• My son,” said the father, turning a
qu'e'j gaze Into the young man's features,
‘-you arc aware that our Liverpool bust
ness continues to prosper."
‘ Yes, sir,” promptly responded the
youth.
• Aud yet, as you also know,” he went
on, in Liverpool they do business in
qnite a cu if erect way fron oars. It is a
good way, to be sure, but a different
way—perhaps, a better way. Suppose I
should sumo time wish j* u to go abroad
to study their methods, and maybe to
manage the concern, how would you
like it?”
• Finely,” answered the son.
“Well, i’ve been thinking of having
you take a trip over in the Albatross, our
newest and boss snip, now in port, and to
look into cur Liverpool business and
learn the d-tails.”
It flashed on George Ross that the
Aloatross vas announced to tall next
night with the tide, asdthat himself was
appointed to meet Benigua tou’gbt.
W hat a fortunate chaece for them to go
abrct.d together! He replied, frankly,
"That would be a goed thing, sir; I will
go.”
Then, get you ready right away. I’ll
p'lments. She oould ha vs entered, on
aim* st equal term*, her own selection of
either of the wealthy refuges laid at her
disposal
Yet she chose to sban, almost to so on,
thonn Al l
It was with difficulty, next morning,
that the Ravenels could prevail on Be
nigna to remain with them just another
dsj; indeed, she would consent to stay
only until that night. It wm the even s
fnl date on which George R >ss was to
sail, and It would utterly foil their plan
to keep the young couple apart ahuuid
the Ravenels fall to detain her in hiding
till auna<>t. Benigna as
ing of Ross’ Imminent departure, else
she would not have remained at East
B T^ e aU"entreaties for her to accepts
wsanswftjgg
standing. There waa »*«><* «•*! 0, *°* 1 ®
In this, to be sure. “But I know, she
said, “I can do well elsewhere.
“If it is your determination to do
well,” said Mrs. Ravenel, ‘‘then I shall
not longer press you to remain with us.
And remember that whithersoeve r you
may go, God watches over you and our
hearts are with you. . .. —
Ur. Ravenel came late to dinner. He
had delayed in order to leant With cer
tain tv os to Geozge Ross’unavoidable
sailing tor Liverpool-
that rprv hoar safely aboard the Alba
tross, with which vessel and the ci ty there
would be no fusthet. communication.
Hence tho test ji.7tM.ily of me-fng b*
tween Ross and f5£fdiorj B ]v
Ah*limine that, aLoald he igjnaioiBly
make knoln to the g ri th£t,jfcyonng
to honorable birth. Don't you sto that! prepare you some letteis to take, and
they all are una;ta!nan!c- unless all are I to-u'ght we ll arrange «Hh the captain
pureh^sabip, but that If ti ay are pur- j i-fttie s-ip for your special comfort ”
cnasable 1 may possess them ah? Wei I, j • Tuaufc you, sir,” said George, rising
that is my purpose.” from the table, and now full of the ex
The prte- ptor had bsen listen!; g with ! plot-; “I II get In shape at once, and go,
foyji-eet. Joe had bea d Benigna dis- j snre, tomorrow nigh:!”
BheiTf^i^bloug’itie con- [ stihauothcr^note of i’-istrucfion to£e-
veiBAtlon. 'She did wonder, however, nigna,
CHi PTEB II.
She was a fcuLdling—a child of sin and
passion. Seventeen years ago, at Char
leston, Sooth Carolina, on a cold and
cloudy night a woman stole within the
iron rail which fronts the celebrated
orphanage of that city. She bore with
her a bniden, not as a virtuous mother
her babe agalcst her besom, but as
a guilty wretch some horrible reproach.
This she cautiously deposited at the
threshold of the porter’s lodge, hard by,
and then, unnoticed, slipped away into
the darkness. Ntxt morning the porter
descried the parcel, a tiny, cloth covered
basket, and experience at once to d him
it contained a human soul. He took it
within and warmed it iDto animation. A
tsg was tied to tho basket; it had con
tained a legend—perhaps only a name—
but the rain of tte night had saturated
this and obliterated the wort's. In
genuity wss not lost for a resource,
however, sr.d out of the merged and
illegible writirg was ;ptm two worcls—
“Benigcc B rtond.” It wss a curictis
fate*; tut ever afterward the waif was
known by that queer title.
The orphansge iccepted the frail, un
known charge, and, jnst as sincerely ss
though it tael been tte cSrprirg of un-
stTined pov.riy, if ftrcve tc shape Be-
nigna’s su-licd existence for saintliest
ends.
Tte cl i’d p.dtErrt d t recocicrsly. Ste
was apt, icieJiigtnt.snd pretty, t*nd while
she continually improved in these gifts
she excelled in ter smelts anil ac-comn-
ltehmentp. Al fifteen y esrselie led in ail
her classes, v- hiie her musical acquire
ments were very stri: ing. The institution
was exceedingly prenic: of ter. At tigli
teen, bad b<r p-umLe Ix en maintaii ed,
ste would bav< pi ssed from the custody
of the crphaiiago into an excep ionai
sphere cf lift, the pride and Joy of her
precept' rs.
Bet at si vertcer an enf he rbangeesree
over her csren—n precipitate transition
from tt-e high estate into which Bhe
Eeemed eotii! to fit c* d from that noble
future tc-vrrds t*hiti> her steps had
hitherto apl ear. d 'o nafinally toireline
It wes not pesiible tl ri ugh ordina y
analogies to i c ount forttis, and still
balder to sc count ft r Its sodde-nnets. At
this period i he v a b* emi n! of form and
feature and pcneesed enviable acdr*ss
and grace,
where, if her pupil meant to buy her way
into society, she was to get. the means
“It would cost a great deal to accom
plish all you say you will undertake,will
it not? ’ asked the preceptor.
‘ Very likely; but one does not know
what one ctn do if one is determined. I
shall have difficulties, but I shall sue
ceed. I shall be out of this poorbouso
in a week.”
“How, sister?”
“You’ll see.”
“But have you not a year longer to
stay?”
“Not a day, unless I wish to.”
“You would do uo wrong to go?”
*T don't know that,” answered Be-
nigna, rather significantly.
“I am curious to know just how you
propose to go away—how it is to come
about. Will i ou confide in me?” pi: aded
the preoeptor, in undoubted anguish.
“I won dn’t divulge my plans in my
prayers,” promptly retorted the wayward
Benigna.
“Then I pray yon do nothing wrong.
0 Bt nigna., do notbing wrong, no matter
how simple it may seem; for I know that
there Is no retreat from 6vii after once
we sin!”
“Aonef” asked Benigna, quickly.
“Yes—there is retreat; there is retreat
but once, and never, never after!”
“That's a new dogma. They’ve been
teliirg me at the Chapel three times a
day for seventeen years that It doesn’t
matter what one does, one may repent
and be saved. Explain.”
“I know,” said the preceptor, calmly,
“that‘there is no depth so deep that he
who will may not reascend.’ We’ve
heard that in the chapel. But there is
this to say, that when one deliberately
does a wrong and does not at once re
pent-does not at once retrace the way—
then there is never more retreat. No
more may he have choice twlxt right and
wrong; he must go on, choosing ever
only between trifs.”
“Well, we’ve had quite enough of this
for the present,” curtly Interrupted Be
nigna; -‘but you msy depend upon it that
1 am going to leave the orphanage, and l
make no secret of it, either.”
Thus having spoken, Benigna abruptly
made her way from the room.
CHAPTER III.
When the trustees were apprised of
Benigna’s purpose they coupled it with
her recent seta of, uprnliness, and thus
reached a plausible explanation. It was
their fixed opinion that she must be in
stigated by improper influences beyond
the orphanage walls, and accordingly a
close watch was at once set uponhtr
movements.
; On a certain afternoon scon after, near
sunset, the porter, who tad been made a
party to the suspicions of tte trustees,
saw, from the covtrt of a casement over
looking an expanse of the grounds bor-
dtrirg on Csihcun street, a young and
graceful horseman Blacken tis steed di
rectly before the main gnieway and,
having glanced fnriive-y toward a win
Tne remainder of th» family soon after
dispersed, stv. rally bent on assisting In
tbe preparation for George’s departure.
While George Rrss was cogitating over
the coming event—a half written note to
Benigna 1> ing before him—another bright
circumstance connected with this trip
beamed into his thought. Tbe Albatross
was to sail at night! H»w certainly this
seemed to favor him! Under shelter of
darkness he and tbe girl should easily
gain the ship's side wholly unseen,
whilst the captain, being an employe ot
his father, would not dare to remark the
incident, not to say, report It!
With the completed tetter, young Ross
at once set out to find a means of placing
it In Benigna’s possession. Reaching
tte vicinity- of the orphanage, be trav
ersed tbe street in Us front, casting
anxious glances at ber window, bot
without response. At length, in very
desperation, he reBolvtd upon a bold
action. Approaching the porter's lodge
he asked to see her. He was told of her
dismissal. Whereat he was much elated,
for it argued that his demand bad been
absolutely obeyed. For an instant
he inwaroly chuckled over the blind Bub-
servien, y of a young woman who had so
promptly resigned her only home at bis
rt quest. Certainly, now, all was clear,
and at sanset, when they should meet,
he would tell her all. He tore l is letter
into bits.
But when the porter further informed
him that Benigna bad departed in com
pany with an elderly gentleman, she
abating his conveyance, Ross was dumb
founded. Nor could his most persistent
questionings evoke aElngle clue either as
to the identity of the chaperon or of the
direction in which the pair were driven.
In despair he retraced bis way, watch
ful or every vehicle and wondering
how he should possibly discover Benig
na’s retr at. That whole afternooo, that
night and much of the following day, he
kept up his fruitless search for her.
Utterly crest-fallen, he appeared at
home for the final leave-taking. The
cause < f his dejection was well nnder
stood, bat his parents insisted that he
“must not grieve because he was going
away from horn*; he would soon be with
them sgain.”
Whatever,he might have prefe rred to do,
it was altogether too late now tor any re
source of art or excuse to defer his pas
sage. Every arraLgement was complete,
and he most go.
That bight the Albatross weighed an
chor and took tbe turning tide toward
the sea. George Ross, the moat over
whelmed and nnwii iDgoi touri ts,silent,
alone and angry, trod her clean, quiver
ing deck.
CHAPTER IV.
Benigna’s very first context with that
gre&t world beyond the environs of the
orphanage should have corr,cted her
brrzsn misconceptions of “the thing”
she called‘'society.” A dozen stainless
hands were held forth to greet and exait
her. The mandate of her demit had
scarcely been pronounced, when Mr.
Pre c cult Rsvenc 1, a cisiinguisLed cit zsn,
m^V^on^Wrep^^thave
the effect to counteract, MU> Ptens,
Mr. Ravenel mention-d M* incident to
his wife while ail sat at table. A slight
change of color 1 ^ aturea
was all that ugaaflkrd f
L ite in the a.terni 'in BMHgna left -he
lovely home wntch'iHght have been hers
for alt time,hiving mod- stly accspted pe
cuniary assistance and a fciudly letter of
recommendation /t>in benevolent
friends. At nlg&t too* the cars for
A Thl S sober, pret'.y city on the south
bank of the Savanna '! failed eff-hand to
meet Ber;ifi , A' 6 pv.o leo expectations »>f
welcome She bed * gain misjudged- h
tad become her t- eery that, the arlsto-
erst c Ravenels having received her with
out reservation, tne social est.te else
where should be much easier to invade
No note of the governing circumstance
was taken by the vain girl Hence she
could find nothing lo admire in Augusta.
The staid old plat -'. with its non-relaxing
forms and habits, offered not one attrac
tion. Th< re wa9 n r j y for her in that
cnarming vislaol tiut.ve fores., Greone
street, the like of whion is upwheie else;
not. a song in (beinterminable trillingot
a thousand birds; no sigh within the
taugied boughs titgt batt.id among them
selves and with tbs' or* < zea along a l that
milt ofgrten and glorious avenuil Nor
wfcB tiiere encti&DioieDt in tbe nioea c
piles to the right aud to the left of
her—the citadels of an organism impos
Bible unaunouLCv.$ to enter. A ho people
didn’t pour forth to ask as to the new
comer. Foolish virgin! what if they
hau? So Be. igna sickened outright,and
in a huff', sougdt Atlanta.
Nearly mid <vay between the two cities
she gained a cameral glimpse of a ioveiy,
luxuriant landscape, witu a manorial
structure mounting its broadest summit.
Tnis was Hawthorn, and It was all the
scene that caught her eye while in
Bmbgna found Atlanta in tfce whirl of
that wondrous en-.rgy out of whicn has
evoived lu our day tue profounacBt type
of industrial and commercial courage.
But the advtnturess was to part of tue
need of a city that, even now in her great
ness, has scarcely begun the journey on
to the magiiiticeDce wolco awaits her.
Y-1 Atlantaseeuieda world within itself
to this girl, making only her second short
tour in life. T^o hurty i curry, hum
aud hustle of t ue every day strife of the
busy town were congenial to the harum-
scarum proci!vtti&3 of our heroine, and
she larrltd at the Georgia Metropolis
until her scant tc sources had nearly eoced
*^ni'jn as by an inspiration, she recalled
the cewildenngly btaulirul oasis she had
photogrspned at tha instant that her car
was piuugiug into a ravin. ; sue re
membered the grand dwelling that
smiled down from Us broac, hospitable
portals; the gretn, dreamy quiet that
covered its surroundings; tne peace that
filled lts atmospher ; the sunshine tnat
trickled upita all its parts; the per.ume
that swept ot4t» ) and into the train,
C--.mi.ig-!-. S ae thou.cht of
Bawikurai fA „ . .
Could she'w.f thou ? Exist there.
How? ...
YesI She m bbt re-begin existence
there. The drea.|i of her life might be
real!zed. Whale Aer betide her, she would
make the effort.
Next morning Benigna left Atlanta for
Hawthorn.
(To be Continued.)
dow of the orphanage, r<xt joint his j proffered his home, resplendent with
firger signlfiiBrlly at a spot just within : social adornments, to the fallen girl. It
tte coLfines. The eye of the official, fcl j was be who h ®r away from the
lowing tbe line of his gesture, observed i orphansgo to his own resi. e. ce.
that there was nolhicg in sight, but he
mte’pTtted ‘.he movement to mean that
at that *xcct point something might be
icund. At the Instant of this proceed
ing, too, a face wi:s teen to appear with
in alowered window, and the window
was known to be that of Benigna's apart
ment. Tbe rider had mean while galloped
rapidly away.
It was less than an bonr later, but now
quite derk,wbtn the tame cavalier reap-
j.'f red. This timehe boldly dismounted,
ano, leading his horse near to the iron
rail, dellbsralely !ft drop within a let er
which he bad w ithdrawn from a breast
pocket. Be Brain leapt to the saddle
aid disappeared.
The cot jecture of tbe vigilant-port'r
wss thus verified, and, sli pping forth
from hisccrx alrr.fclit, hebnuf-md to the
pnil*y spot, ai d 11 t.d the white envelope
which lay at bis feet. He had scarcely
ju , borne it s.fely within the lodge, when
Ii'e?ucta:.hy tie crp! aerge authorities his attention wss attracted by alight.
On the journey he plied her for some
inkling of her future plans. She was
reticent, except to haif divulge that she
bad “a city lriecd who would do any
thing for her, if she could only find him.”
Mr. Ravenel well knew whom she meant.
Mrs Ravenel, a fine type of benevolent
womanhood, wss present to receive the
girl when the coach drew up before the
handsome dwelling on East Battery.
Benigna was in a short time quite “at
home.” Her good looks and gracefulness
lost nothing under the quick, critical
eye if so excellent idealists as tbe Rave
nels, and her easy, captivating manners,
pleasant grsture and mild voi09 were
nc-ticei.ble at the outset. S e spoke with
musical modulation and iaugued with
lippdng inflxtioa. Her new friends
were soon entranced. Tbe most cultured
young ladies qf the classic neighborhood
For the Sonsy Socru.
THE SILVER LINING
You left me, and the heavens wept.
How could they joy when my poor heart
Was breaking in its mad'ning pain—
When our two sou js were torn apart?
Heaven’s tears fell gently ou the rose
Which strewed ils peialso'er the ground
In syn-pathy; though my heart
Ached, my Ups gave ne'er a souud!
No star adorne ' the firmament;
The moon was hidden by a veil
Of clouds; and through the trees was heard
The wild wiuu’s melancholy wail.
All nature seemed to mourn, and yet
The hearts around me were as glad
‘As if you were not gone. They could
Not know my riven soul was sad.
And yet you will return. Ah! yes;
I know you will come back, but still
Our lives can never be the same—
Your glance my heart must never tbrlll.
You said naught of the ch.-nge within
Y'our heart, Dor I of that in mine;
But oh! each of us understood,
Although we spoke not. made no sign.
Today the clouds still heavy hang,
But dear, the ‘ silver lining’s” there!
I'd have you kneel as I have knelt
And see its light througn humble prayer.
I ne'er again may go to you
For help, and ne er your griefs may share,
But there is One who 11 give us strength
To bear each sorrow and each care.
I know that we may go to Him
In perfect confidence and trust;
He sympathizes, ‘knows our frames,”
And He remembers we are dust!
Y'ou ve left me, but behind the clouds
The “silver lining” yet appears—
Bidding me still be brave and strong,
Although I see it through my tears.
Eloise.
Gossipy Article About
Charming Actress.
FAMF. WOOED AND WON BY A KISS.
Bor Remarkably Realistic Osculation
Gave Her Instantly a Lasting Place in
the Hearts of Theatre Goers—Some of
Her Best Known Parts.
Sbe leaped into popular favor about five
years ago—and by a kiss.
The operet ta “Nanon” was exquisitely
■taged at the Casino at that time, and Sa
die Martinot in the short skirts and cap
of the barmaid was delightfully insouciant
and altogether captivating.
She sang well, but with more expression
than voice, aud her acting had all the
charm of a Frenchwoman’s: but not until
gypKi/kff’.afe.
tew,
. x \E5
lj| c
. ■ m
-!!:.■
• SAD if: MA
' Iff p‘ j) I »
iTINOT AS BETTINA.
she took
he r I
over’s good, stupid faoa
between !
er pin
nj> hands and kissed him
heartily,
lingeri
nicly, full on the mouth,
and in tii
♦doting way women usually de-
rote exd
usivel}
to babies and dogs, did
slie make
the du
les expand into their very
best sipili
s of ap
probation and delight.
She \va
s so n
>guish, so tantalizing, so
feminine,
so alti
>g»»ther lovable, that they
swore by
her to
t man and rose in their
seats to applaud her as they did Judic aod
Theo. After that kiss her lasting fame as
a sonbrette was achieved.
“Dr. Bill” is drawing crowded houses at
the new Garden theatre in New York.
For the first week or so after the opening
the place was nightly filled by an audience
who went to criticise the ornamentation,
the carving, the satin covered walls; in
fact, thearchitectural details of this dainti
est of playhouses, quite ns much as the
play. They went because it wa3 the
“thing” to go. Now, so well has she suc
ceeded, they go to see Sadie Martinot as a
young matron of lively propensities pining
for a lark in "ilr. Bill;” asagushing, win
some romp in “Sunset,” that exquisite bit
of quaiutlv intermingled fun and pathos
by Jerome K. Jerome, and still more re
cently as the liancerof a Spanish fandango,
Introduced to meet tbe craze of the hour.
“It was like Martinot to have herself
taught that Spanish d.uuoewhilu the town’s
in the mood lor it,” somebody said the
other day. “Oh, she’s clever! Not content
with playing a comedy part to perfection,
she determined to let t lie public see what
■he could make of n Spanish fandango if
she had to drag it rieck and crop into
Dr. Bill’s study—and she has wjlli a ven
geance, by Jove!”
An actress ought to be pretty. tYe all
agree ou that—but isn't it even mors im
portant for her to have piquancy, magnet
ism, that something so elusive that for
Want of a better name is usually termed
’mil. Ai u rtinrttPi.,- . knt.y of
“go. ’ It is e'Kient in her walk, in her
smile and glance, in the very turn of her
head, in the flashing movements of her
hands.
She has a charming but faulty face.
There are a dozen New York actresses I
could count off on my fingers who totally
eclipse her in point, of beauty, aud yet who
remain consistently unknown. Carping
critics might cal! her mouth too large, her
akin colorless, her eyes only ordinary, if
they met her during a matutinal stroll on
Broadway with tho too truthful sunlight
shining down on her unsparingly. But
she has the softest, silkiest of brown hair
growing low on a smooth, white forehead;
a brilliant piay of expression in her eyes
appeared on the stage. She had taken
several trips to Europe, breaking contracts
with an inconsequence that had bet .'.me
proverbial, and except for paragraph;- . p
pearing occasionally in the papers re
ing her gowns, the size of her foot, o mi'
opinion on things European, she had \ •; *
ully retired to private life-
Best remembered of her successes in
comic opera is Bettina iu the “Mascot.”
She sang the part iu German at Amberg’s
theatre, and made a pronounced hit in it.
Here she is in the “shreds and patches”
of the poor goose girl, a passionate, willful
hoyden able tost.rikcout from the shoulder
when the village boys attempt to kiss her
against her will, capable of expressing
more in a shrug, or a glance through her
tangled hair, than many women in an eight
page letter.
There is talk of putting this on at the
Garden after “Dr. Bill,” when others than
the German speaking portion of New
York will have an opportunity of seeing a
Bettina that the composer would go into
ecstacies over.
In private life, ns Sadie Martinot, when
she plays no part but that nature assigned
to her, she is even more successful, and has
turned the heads of many prominent New
Yorkers.
Though a Bohemian heart and soul, and
fond of roaming the world over, she has
a thoroughly comfortable, well appointed
home in Twenty-third street to return to
when sbe is in .1 restful mood. It is pre
sided over by her mother, and stands not a
stone's throw from Mrs. Langtry’s.
Evelyn Malcolm.
from the
rkiugthe
The Left Leg.
There is a popular idea that because tha
light arm is more often used and stronger
than the left, so the right leg is stronger
than the left. TLis is not correct: there is
evidence that the left leg in most people la
stronger than the right. From the theo
retical point of view it would appear that
In all manual labor requiring increased us*
ai the right hand, .the left leg is also em
ployed on tlie principle of equilibrium.
In the case of the lower animals (except
ambulators, camels, etc.), and babies, when
walking on all fours, the right fore limb
moves with the left hind limb, and vice
versa. It foilows from this that man, using
the right arui more than the left, would
probably use the left leg more than the
right.
Many people find less exertion in walk
ing around large circles to the riirht than
In going to the left. This is also the case
In race paths for athletic sports, nearly all
of which are arranged for the racers to go , Urns)
In circles to the right in running. Again, ' • band
travelers have observed that hunters, when
lost on prairies, wander around in circles
to the right.
This fact has been attributed to their fol
lowing the course of the sun, but tnis does
not appear to be necessarily the case. Many
•katers can perform more figures on the
left than on the right foot—or, at any rate.
In commencing, figures are more readily
done on the left foot. With rope dancers
It is usually observed that the more com
plicated feats of balancing are performed
•n the left foot.—Nineteenth Century.
SADIE MARTINOT AS NANON.
and smile; "a sweet, low voice, flawless aa
the ring of silver; a figure of medium pro
portions, svelte and symmetrical. But,
above all, she is graceful, and has reduced
dressing to a fine art.
Her imported gowns in “Dr. Bill” for
example—could anything be more “fetch
ing?” The ensemble is saucy and elegant.
She moves about with that frou frou of
■oft, silken, trailing skirts that must bo
music to masculine ears, while from femi
nine ups nutter little envious signs ana
■abdued exclamations of rapture.
In the first act she is in heavy olive silk,
the plain drawn-back skirt now in vogue
tolling in a long fan in the back and just
the floor. Around the edge ruua
ostrich feathers of the same color,
POINTS ON CARDS.
Card Tricks Viewed from the Stand
point of Exact Science.
Card t t icks so called can be divided prop
erly into two classes—tricks which are
purely tricks am! nothing else, and tricks
which are founded on mathematics. Of
the former it can only be said that it re
quires .i special dexterity to handle the
cards coupled with long practice to inak<
any sort of a success at it. There are scores
of trick books which profess to reveal hid
deu secrets ;-.ud to show the willing enthu
siast how to astonish and mystify his
friends on every occasion.
The basis of many of these tricks is the
art of palmiug. which alone not oue in a
thousand can learn to do with any degree
of success. In fiict-, it requires a born
genius to manipulate cards skillfully, and
when a genius of tki3 sort con:-"-; into the
world ho is likely lo swiff
playing of harmless tricks
boys,” in the vernacular of the gambling
table, and become an out and nut sharper.
There are, however, a number of simple
card tricks, some of which are. founded on
mathematic;* ar.d others which r -quire hut
little skill ard are easily learned, which are
extremely interesting. To the mind not
versed in the range and power of numbers
it is simply wonderful what i be done
with cards. For instance, take the old
spelling tiiok, which is nothing more than
a simple arrangement of the cards, but al
ways a constant source of delight to the
children, and of instruction as well, espe
cially-to those who are just learning to
spell.
Arrange the thirteen cards of any cne
suit in the following order: 10, king,
knave, 2, 4, (J, queen, ace, 7, 8, 3, with the 5
at the bottom. Then take the top card
from the top; and place it at the bottom.
Continue tho operation and begin to ?*pell,
remembering that each card represents a
letter. Spell in this way o-u-e. Then turn
up the fourth card and it will be the ace or
one spot. Then continue ami spell t-w-o,
ami tho fourth card will be the two spot.
Thfen t-h-r-e e and the sixth card will be
the three spot, and so on, leaving out each
card as it. is spelled.
This is an excellent trick for the chil
dren, ami lu re is another one, similar in
idea, and which will give them a knowl
edge of the vowels. A little story goes
with it. A certain ship contained a crew
of fifteen Christians and fifteen Turks.
Provisions running short, owing to a storm
having driven t he ship out of her course, it
became necessary for fifteen of the crew to
die in order to save the rest.
The wily captain therefore made the fol
lowing proposition: That the cn.-w should
be placed in a line and every nint h rt
counted out, until fifteen men had been
lected. Ho then placed them in such a
position that every ninth innii was a Turk,
j Nowtt Y-' tion is, How A ! hcdO’ f ? T ,et
j fifteen •; cards reprett :ko Turks
J and fifteen red cards represent the Chris
tians. Of course, it ail depends upon the
arrangement of these cards, but it has
been found best in order to facilitate the
memorizing of them to take a sentence in
which the five vowels appear.
Here is tho sentence, “From numbers,
aid and art. never will fame depart.” The
first vowel in the sentence is o. In the
grammatical arrangement of the vowels (a,
e, i, o, u) this is tho fourth. Therefore, be
ginning with the red cards take four and
place them oa the table face down. U is
the next vowel and the fifth iu the order.
Therefore take five cards from t he black pile
and place them on the four red ones. Then
two red, one black, three red, one black,
one red, two black, two red, three black,
one red, two black, two red and one black,
alternating tbe red and black. Then be
ginning with the pile face up, every ninth
card left out will be a black one uutll they
are exhausted from the pack.
F. Willing.
Noi a Pressing Creditor.
Dr. T. M. S. Kenney tells this story of
foreign mission collection experience:
“I was preaching,” said he, “in a certain
section of the country, and after the close
of the service a dear good brother invited
me home to dinner. If I had known what
I afterwardknewlthink probably I should
not have gone. I had talked for a collec
tion for the purpose of missions, aud as we
were driving to the brother’s home he said
to me:
“ ‘Brother Kenney, did you notice that I
did not give anything this morning?’
“ ‘No,’ said L ‘I never notice who give
and who do not.’
“ ‘Well, I didn’t,’ continued he; ‘I
couldn’t afford it. I'm too much in debt,
but when I get rid of these troublesome
demands I’ll give something to the work
of the Lord.’
“ ‘But,’ said I again, ‘don’t you owe the
Lord something?’
“ ‘Well, I don’t know; I suppose I do. I
never thought of it before in that light.’
“ ‘I’m glad you sec it now in a different
light,’ 1 ventured to remark, encouraging
ly. The dear brother hastened to add.
however:
“ ‘The Lord don’t crowd me as the others
do.’ ’’—Kansas City Journal.
South Carolina’s Redboncs.
There are a singular race of people in
South Carolina called the Redboncs. Their
origin is unknown. They resemble in ap
pearance the gypsies, but in complexion
they are red. They have accumulated con
siderable property and are industrious and
peaceable. They live in small settlements
at the foot of the mountains and associate
with nunc but their own race. They are a
proud and high spirited people. Caste is
very st: ong among them. They enjoy life,
visit the watering places and mountain
resorts, but eat by themselves and keep by
themselves.
Wheitahe war broke out several of them
enlisted in t.hc Hampton legion, aud when
the legion reached Virginia there wns a
great outcry among the Virginians and
the troops from other states because we
had enlisted negroes. They did not resem-
TOAT SHALL WE WEAR?
STYLES THAT ARE APPROVED
HOME AND ABROAD.
AT
Latest Fashion** as Expressed •“ Dresses
for Evening Wear—Description of Soma
of the Picturesque Bodiees That Are
Now Worn.
There is a great variety in the cut ai
bodices. Many of the evening bodices are
decidedly picturesque. One made in a
pretty old fashioned Louis XV satin
brocade had a doable puffed sleeve reach-
ing almost to the elbow, draperies atxrat
the neck all made of chiffon, and inter
mixed with old point d’Alencou. Thta
\rt
mm %
KvV, mg.-
1 m-'M
77/'t .
^
*S BORDERED-BY A FLOUNCK.
1 by a jacket basque with
d buttons, the basque cut
i *>n either side at tbe hips,
uch like tbe sketches handed
jin the period of C’utries L
gown for evening wear is
- -ornpanying cut. Tt is
r white ntnsiin. The skirt
in are bordered with s
. low bodice is black velvet,
lives and fichu are of whit*
:vo or tfirce other items about
• ns: Sleeves for young girls*
fieti made open on the outsidt
i show the point of the shoul
der. A light blue satin gown brocaded
with imperial b; es illustrates the return te
the fashions of Louis XVIII period ic
dressmaking. It has a trellis work of yel
low lent L
the top *j
and wais
dresses a
lets, wit
round ah
bodices
demi-ik-i
in light
mnslin,
have nai
the arm
hi,.- galon round the skirt and
.be bodice, which at the neck
! bordered with a ruche. Many
made with embroidered corse-
nurrow gold galons, placed
the skirt hem, also round tha
1 .vri-ts. The sleeves of all tha
•tv dresses are made long, but
itori.il, such as tulle, gauze or
ling -lose to the arm. Soma
iw satin ribbon twined round
>m the elbow.
i teas in Underclothing.
>l idea in underclothing is tht
frills in colored cottons, v. hick
to nightgowns principally,
will, however, prefer deep
Us, embroidered at the edgs
■ fashionable iu i’.-tris, gatb-
ie Pierrot style. Some of tha
ire made with puffings be-
nsertion-, and hemstitched
■iffy repiace_ lace. Flannel
c trmolo i'rTlls iu two - Cslors,
::t on white, both pinkr:; at
The n- ■
embroidert ■*!
are applied
Many i dies
vandyked th
in white, nov-
ered ful! in ■
nightgowns
tween the
bands freqn
petliennte ha
or in a color
the edge. Sometimes the frills have aved
ronleanx of white silk or braid. Cbemiset
are fitted to tho figure and the seams filled
in with veined insertion. Ail kinds of silk
petticoats nre %'orn.
NiiPrrnnF.ss :x fine cambric.
The nightdress shown in the cut is inada
In fine cambric, with a sailor collar and
cuffs. It is trimmed with insertion down
the fronts
side.
and with narrow
at each
1 in Neir Ribbons.
rinds are mostly
cks and terry
reversibhv
civet bor-
The new
with satin
ders of all kinds, as well is the cord edge.
There are - >me curious mixtures of colors
like plaids iu the stripes and check braid
borders and piush borders and entire plush
ribbous. Chintz velvet stripes and shot
stripes are new, as well as somber effects.
Two inch wide and inch aud 31$ inch
are the usual widths. A narrow width U
used for strings, 3 inches wide generally,
and ribbou velvet, The old cerise color U
coming in, and solferino and magenta,
emerald, royal bluo and beaver—indeed,
many browns. Baby ribbons also ore
much used.
Bee
•Jewelry Notes.
tells iu Jewelers' C'rcula*
long bva of the same around her throat,
; and perched on her fluffy silky hair a little
hat, saucer-like in front aud turned up to
: *n astonishing height in the back—a hat
not larger and shaped liffe many a sea-
; shell, as impudent as her pertly raised nose. Lie the African iu the least, except incases
1 She looks fashionable to an extreme, but where Africans hail amalgamated with In-
not a lady, and this is exactly what she dians. This intermixture, which is com
alms at, for in the play she sustains tho jaoa in Lbe Carolines, produces rnnrvel-
Oharacter of an ex-ballet dancer, wedded to ous results. It takes the kink out of tho
• wealthy, robust, police inspector of tha hair of tbe African, straightens his feah-
hoef-eating order—a larky young woman, nres and improves him in every way ex-
apt to forget that she has renounced flesh- j ce;,; j a temper.—Interview with Senator
Of Coarse.
A young man at Newark, N. J., was left
a fortune of i-7l),COO. He went to a dozen
different business men to ask Low heshould
Invest his cash, and only one man recom
mended a mercantile career. All the oth
ers advised him to start a newspaper.—De
troit Free Press.
*^Handy for travelers is Simmons Liver
R*>gu ator in powder. It can bs ca riled
In tte pocket.
_ for long skirts.
All New York has become familiar with
her lithogr ipli in tho soft, gauzy tea gown
Hampton.
Elsie
that:
Gold beads continue to be worn.
Tortoise shell hairpins, set with dia
monds an*l turquoise, are fashionable.
"Watches run small to medium in size,
and there is a marked tender* cy toward
decorative cares.
There are dainty little fob:* especially
provided for ladies.
Among watch chatelaines t’ae novelty Is
n small af ;;r that expresses itself in form
of a flower.or other motif, and w hich is
fastened at one side ct the corsage
A fantasy has sprung up for nccklaeea
of colored stones.
OLD NURSERY FAVORITES.
There wns Tom the Sjn of the Piocr,
Jack Sprat and Merry Kina Cote,
And the three Wise Men of Uotaain.
Who neat to sea iaa bowl;
The woman woo rode on a broomstick.
And swept the robwobbed ssy,
And the boy who sat in the corner,
Eating his Christmas pie.
These were some of the old favorite”,
, „ .. „ The time to lie occupied by a dinner nna j, nt t j,oy have baon supplied by tho“Pan-
Ot pink si! : and yellow lacc as she stands . gradually been curtailed to such a point of | sy” stories “Little Lord Fauntleroy,”
With her fi gers thrust helplessly into tha. brevity that in France fashion is returning , ana‘‘Five Little Peppers.” TnoOIdrash-
folds in fruit exclaiming: j to a more leisurely service of the meal. jionedpillsaadphyslcsJiiveJiesajraDsr-
“The key is down my back!” _ I Diners complain that courses follows® " ‘ — '
Her. prei ty, disturbed face looks at ns quickly on each other that there is oppor-
from bill!* ards all along Broadway and . tunity neither for appreciation of the food
at freqneu 1 street corners. j *mr fur conversation
When lie new Garden theatre was - » .
opened, qt ite a ripple of anticipation agk |
toted the minds of playgoers when it waa '
My wife cured o'mslarin by Simmons
advertised that she was to play the lead- Liver R'gulator—J. N. Thompson, Pas-
Bur role, f >r it was some time since she had tor M. E. Church, Leigh, Neb.
seded and wisely, to, by Pierce’s Pu”g».
tiveP.-llets. a od d, harmless andtffoo-
tivecathartic. Toay ; p easaat. to take
—so gentle In their actlaa that tha most
dsiil ate otiilfl c in ts ‘ them, yet so ef-
fective that they will euro ‘.he mast often,
nate case* of co • sto.^iticti, Iivor
and bowel tr >ab.s9. Taey shoaid bs l*
every nursery- Ai a gentle laxative,
only ono for a dose.