Newspaper Page Text
419
THE SOUTHERN WORLD, OCTOBER 16,1884.
“ Yes; we most spread the news. It
is all we poor women can do,” smil
ingly answered Mrs. Walker.'
“But stay for dinner. Annt Seely is
exerting her utmost skill with Mary to
help her,” said Mrs Feaster.
“Yes; I found her up to her elbows
in a pastry,” laughed Drucie. ”1 thought
of Cincinnatus at his plow.”
44 Very good, that. I shall relish that
pastry,” cried the young man.
‘‘And you will stay, Mrs. Walker.
Perhaps they have papers,also,” insisted
Mrs. Feaster.
“Yes; we will stay. Like Major
Lawson, I will relish that pastry.” '
44 Not unless Major Lawson chooses to
divide. She is making it for him,”
laughed Miss Coleman.
44 Ah, then, Mrs. Walker, you must
not tax my gallantry too far. I cannot
divide.”
(< No, I should not ask you. I will
have to rely upon more earthly food.”
44 1 suspect there will be enough for
all,” smilingly said Mrs. Feaster, turn
ing from the room to see about the din
ner.
44 Why did you not bring Miss Mary
in that we may congratulate her?” asked
Mrs. Walker.
44 1 begged her to come, but she said
if I would excuse her weakness she
would prefer having a good cry there by
herself with Aunt Seely. I left her cry
ing on the good old darkie’s lap.”
44 She is a sweet girl. Did she tell
you, Mrs. Lawson, of her bravery yes
terday?” asked Mrs. Walker.
“No. How?”
“In rescuing Mrs. Branson. Oh, it
4 Had”’l caughther lTa?d* to P would°bave die ” ° 8t dellgh<ful death that one can I wealth and family prestige and pride
clutched me around the arms and both ,, .. „ , . they are not a bit better than the Feat
as
cL . -X „ , . terrible after all.”
one is quite a little heroine. I must 44 Not so terrible to the dvinn as to the
get Mrs. Feaster to fetch her in and let living. I have often thouglft so myself ”
gentleman.’ mnocently Baid the youn 81. " A? d t ? h » what I saw was indeed the
so,
so
And yet I understand the Judge has
a very charming daughter—Miss Hor-
tense,” said the lady, with a quick
glance in his face.
“Yes, a very nice girl—petted I im
agine— but I would not take her for a
irl of Mrs. Foaster's courage and pluck.
u th W*®? 811 - down * dar ^8- father’s wishes and married that old
mu 11 * ? 18 “oming how 44 One more kiss, sweet,” kissing the German stick of a Count? Faugh! I
glad she would be when I could leave child and putting her down. “Herein
and release her from the ban of silence,” Bruno. You can play with him. Bru-
apologetically explained the son. no, you must entertain the little lady.
°ne is quite as shy as a little girl. I He is fond of children, and is never so
She shrinks even from the notice of la- gracious as when having them clinging
dies,” said Miss Coleman. | to his back. 44
44 She is quite a heroine anyway, and
would as soon think of drowning her in
a beer vat. 44
44 Ah, and did a German Count really
propose for her hand. 44
44 Yes. and followed her alt the way
over, bringing his coach and six with his
Bruno gallantly caine forward to make coat of arms emblssoned with gold on
I shall appeal to the young lady’s com- friends with the child, and by his gentle the panels, to awe us democrats into a
passion itself to let me see her.” manners soon conciliated the little wondering adoration. I am glad the
No; wait a few days, Thomp., until maiden’s fears and they became friends overseer had the pluck and the lady the
you are able to go in the parlor and then at once
she will see you. As you are now, you Mrs. Feaster now came forward and
tax her kindness enough to make your was presented.
nflfltrv ” aoid hia mn+lwxr I • • \f«r mnt
pastry,” said his mother.
44 Ah, well, the doctor says I may walk
in the verandah and the parlor to-mor
row.”
44 Then you must wait until to-mor
row. 44
Mrs. Feaster now came in to announce
dinner. 44 Will you walk in, Mrs. Law-
good sense to send him back with a .lea
in his ear.”
44 You seem well posted in the family
history,” said the lady.
44 Yes; mother has just told me all
about it. She was one of the few friends
was the most terrible and terrifying son, and I will see to the Major’s com
scene I ever witnessed. The lady had fort?”
lady
sank and we had given her up as lost
My mother, Mrs. Branson.”
44 1 am happy to meet your mother, 44 1
kissing the fauy. 44 1 came up to thank I .
your daughter again for her surprising who in her heart clung to the Feasters. 44
bravery and goodness in raving my life. 44 It was qnite a romantic affair? 44
She has told you?” observing the pus- 44 Yes, and the romance is not yet fln-
zled look on the mother’s face. islied. General Feaster will add the
“I had not yet told mother,” ex- concluding chapter by turning his back
plained the girl. upon the Middletons. Mindifhedon’t. 1 *
44 Ah, well then I will tell her,” and While the enthusiastic young soldier
The ladies went iu to dinner, while I in a grateful narrative she told of her was thus innocently entertaining and
i m fVia Mo Ka/1v OAViranf Viiwn nil f I naeil and a! flta kannM I 1. «««* a# t l>n ■« a * I lila imrIIa
when Miss Feaster seeing what had hap- Sam, the Major’s body servant, brought peril and of the happy rescue. I humiliating at the same time his gentle
pened turned and swam into the deep in a tempting waiter for the patient. 44 That was a fearful peril, and I con- friend, Mrs. Lawson had gone into the
water and brought her up and swam A little table was rolled to the bedside gratulate you upon your escape,” said parlor to Join her friends
safely out and saved her. My God, it and the viands spread. the lady. ... . l.s .l_
makes me shudder to think of it now.” “Now, sir, if you will excuse me I They were in the parlor. Mrs. De-
' 44 Oh, that was brave—she never men- will return to my guests. Sam must Saussure had gone on into the patient’s
tioned it. How did it happen ? ” come for anything you wish. I hope room and was coddling him with her
“ We were all in bathing, when Miss y° u will find the soup to your taste.” motherly kindness. Somehow Bhe could
Feaster joined ub, and in a spirit of fun ‘‘Yes, it is excellent. Thanks for not explain how she felt more graciously
Estelle—that is Mrs. Branson—chal-1 y° ur goodness. 44 I towards him now than she had felt be
longed her for a race around the pool. It needed not the really excellent fore. She read in the simple truth of
Bhe is an accomplished swimmer. Miss menu to tempt the robust appetite of Mary Feaster’s manner the nopeleBB fu-1 equalled by her unselfish courage a
Feaster accepted and together thev the young man. The real danger was tility of any attempt he might be dis- goodness,” gratefully answered M
started and we all clapped our hands and that he would eat too much. In the posed to make upon the affections of the Branson,
vivaedatthe fun. Estelle led the way I hands of two less positive matrons he lovely girl. She felt more inclined to 44 Yes, she is very good—sweet and
at firsthand we Charlestonians were con- would have done so, but though gentle pity him as a silly moth whose wings good,” lovingly answered the lady,
gratulating ourselves upon the victory, as doves, the ladies were as wise as ser- were likely to get a singeing, than to be 44 And it is to further tax her goodness
when Estelle’s strength began to fail’ pents, and with an utter disregard to jealous of him as the Othello who was that 1 have come in. While Mrs. De*
and Miss Feaster commenced gaining on nis pettish clamors, they strictly adhered to captivate her gentle Desdemona. Af* Saussure is amusing Thomp. I thought
her. Then it was Mrs. DeSaussure’s to the prescribed allowance made by ter the friendly eflusiveness had sub- 1 would slip out and ask her for some
and Miss Coleman’s turn to viva as Bhe Dr * Bawls. sided and the lady had seated herself in | music. We have not had a note since
came up with and then passed her. Es-1 After dinner the visitors took their | a motherly kind of way by his side, the
She had heard the story of her mirac
ulous escape and sincerely congratulated
her.
And only think, Miss Feaster here
had never told us a word about it. I
heard it from Mrs. Walker this mom-
ling.”
1 “ Miss Feaster’s modesty can only
telle, seeing the race lo«»t, thought she departure, leaving the young man to his young man said:
Would cut directly across the pool and I af tor dinner nap. _ _ _ .1. *‘I suppose y*
suppose you have heard of the asked the girl.
we came.”
44 Will it not disturb him—your son?”
She had near- After awhile Mrs. DeSaussure and brilliant victory of our armies in Mis
cool and we had Mrs. Branson came in, the former to pay souri?”
again louder than her diurnal regards to the patient and 44 No; I had heard nothing.”
b she screamed and the latter to see and thank her preserver. 44 Then I must tell you. Mi
thus ge. to the goal first,
ly crossed the deep
ever, when all at once ske screamed and I the latter to see and thank her preserver. I 44 Then I must tell you. Miss Cole-
strangled, and throwing up her ham s Miss Feaster received them at the man carried the paper away with her to
sank out of sight in the deep water, gate. Both ladies saluted her with un- tell the news at home. Colonel Feaster
Oh it was a fearful moment • such a affected tenderness, while the grateful —or General I suspect it is by now— . _ . . , _
horrible thins to see the sweet lady sink tears were brimming in Mrs. Branson’s General Feaster, with his command, at- of his hearing, | said her mother in an-
^ eye.. I tack«lamlcapuired th, enemy’,emir. to-lairing leek 0»l.ed In h.r
44 Oh, no; we can close the connecting
doors and have it all to ourselves.
Please play for us. Mrs. Branson, did
you ever hear her?”
44 Oh, no; I will bo so charmed,” an
swered the lady.
44 Yes, Mary, there can lie no danger
DeSaussure; listen.
?” asked Major Law-
closed doors, the en-
until noticing our excitement and^Meine I lady,” presenting a sweet little maiden I tors I mean—and how the Middletons I chanting music came floating in, filling
Mrs XSssure regardtoss of^hef of five. , have so shabbily treated her. And now h i„ susceptible senses with a strange de-
clothe* run tothe water ud to her waist “ Yes, mamma. I thank you too for to have him, the despised husband, thus i lght .
she turned and saw in an instant what saving my sweet mamma,” said the distinguished is the proudest thing that •• That is Miss Feaster singing.”
Sd Sd happSnid WUhout a woM of child, tiptoing her pretty mouth up for a ever happened.” 44 It is enchanting It seems unearth-
nnaatinn nr direction she turned and kiss. . 44 And is it really so? Is it our Mr. ly in its sweetness.”
guided bytfidirection of the waves . “ You are a sweet little girl, 4 stoop- Feaster that has done this thing?” 44 Yes, she has a wondrously sweet
that circled out from the place where mg and lifting the ehUd fit her arms. ‘‘Of course it is; there can be no voice> i have never heard any other
H 44 Come in; mamma will be glad to see | doubt of it. And the half, believe^ me, | half so sweet. But you most not try to
3 rise up in his bed.
should like so much
sling her brain to realize the possibility to see her. Is she as beautiful as she
of such an honor for her despised over-1 sings?”
* - 44 She is very beautiful—more beautl-
To Richmond it | Q | than anyone else on earth—beautiful,
Estelle. 44
44 Oh, that was brave,” said Mrs. Law-
son
** Yes, yes; it seemed an age before
she came up bringing the unconscious
Eatelle with her. Oh, Mrs. Lawson,
uao uvv UDe 1UU U1UOV Ut
istion.” the Yankee account of it and it is sure have to hush,” urge
suffered no discomfort to be twice as good as they represent.” y0U ng officer tried to
he horrible haunt all 44 And how did the news come?” puz- 7 «< Y es . ye s; but I si
I from your exhaustion.
“Oh, yes; I sur
from it, only the
through the night. 41
44 It must have been terrible.”
44 Yes, the memory—the after thought I seer.
I—the misery of leaving my darlings— “From Richmond.
wonderful^ She must have been inspired but do you know, Miss Feaster, that my came through Baltimore papers. I am B weet and fovely,” murmured the lady,
bv^^ Rhe had the thouSd to P take sensations at the time were not fright- dying to hear from army headquarters all u much to her own heart as to the young
Fsteiu htir She Inn! loose hair ful or painful? After the first pain of the story. And I should Just like to be man .
-ni it h , w’ Iffn neck utrangling was over a most delicious by and have the reading of it to Judge 4<T d hI am not allowed to
a *wi w~i.ii JL* v,» ♦oath ahe sense overcame me and I seemed trans- Middleton. Maybe I wouldn’t empha- her?” he muttered peevishly.
size the Colonel Feaster. I should like ™ notation* enough
and holding tie ends in ^r teeth sb ^^“^‘^31 thiS".: S
£s? SfiffiaStahSsissiSB issnife-
tfmESLSu.” ' the hoS rX“- Crae " r b “ W “ n * n4 " r‘ her “»■ I -w ~
. ludeed it Was,' saidi the young inan, ^ wa8 exchanging greetings with the am glad you take such an interest vonr K00t | mother will let you
JtiSe 68 Bparklmg Wlth e 1 g two matrons. These two seemed held in our friends,” said the lady, still in in- he?in gwxf time,” replied the lady,
ou. in a close communion and instinctively credulous wonder. .... an inSinu.Unx smile*.
. “ Yes, indeed. She looked so brave ™
fighting the cruel waters there with that y
helpless lady lashed to her, almost in "
her teeth as it were, upbearing her like
a great Newfoundland dog.”
“ That was brave and thoughtful too
“ Yes, they are worthy it. I can
as soon as she could to avoid our tears
and cries and kisses of thanks.”
‘‘Yes,” said Miss Coleman, “and
when I asked her how she thought to
catch her by the hair instead of the
with an insinuating smile.
“ Ah, there it is again. It seems rain-
i from heaven. Will you open
doors and let it coma in?” be
( ' f another one of the ravishing
I wish I was half as sure of a Brig-1 strains came floating in.
44 Oh, yes, and I will go tell her to smg
Ferns- my favorite song and let you hear. It
xu nn when I first sssoed for I ter—as high sounding as the Middletons 1 is to me the sweetest of all,” and the
them, came on—when i nrsi gsapea ior vcr a ,, a arooe and went across to tbtparlor,
breath y 1 44 oh, yes, and a hundred times better, i throwing wide the doors ah she went.
Sa, ^They !ay-I'cannot conceive though I know thed^-thev are good fo^a-rich 44 Your music has foundthewsy tot^e
howwyb^y can tell—that drowning is I and disiinguiahed—but Except their I Major’s tooth and he wishes the does*
subsided _ -—-- . .
again applauded the Major. " biisband and child, and an ^ unj^easant £ „
“ Yes, and she was so modest with it consciousness g .. T ba t would be good. General
all, and shrank away with Miss__Drucie hrnd, fifi?,g^pedlit ter-m. high «>undS^. the Midd