Democratic Sentinel, Volume 5, Number 38, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 October 1881 — A TALE OF A PHOTOGRAPH. [ARTICLE]

A TALE OF A PHOTOGRAPH.

P it be fun!” exclaimed Lucy Clare to herself, looking up from the letter she was reading. Tt- nan *” tbemorning before school, and as the bell would not ring for half an hour she had plenty of time to enjoy her letler and devise the answer. She was a girl of 20 summers, of '“ifedium height, plump figure and good English complexion—for she was an English girl,-though for some five or six years a resident of America. Her hair was short and dark-brown in color, her forehead broad, high and full, one of which a poet or a philosopher might hf proud.' But the chief feature of her face was her eyes*—large, e'xpressive, brown eyes, bright with intelligence and fun., Yes,, though she was working hiiil at Greek, Latin and mathematics, she could find time to break as many hearts as those who thought of nothing else. At present she was a student in one of our best colleges which had re■'ccntly opened their doors to the gentler, though by no means less intelligent, The letter she was reading was from a gSI friend and former neighbor, who tlien livi d in ope of the towns of Central „ Ohio. It contained the photograph of a yotlng gentleman whose acquaintance the young lady, Miss Ada Vane, had made during a recent trip to the South. In a former letter she had mentioned 1 at he was particularly handsome and rich, and Lucy had asked to see his picture. Accordingly Miss Vane sent it to her, charging her to return it, but adding that if die said so she would ask foteone for her.; The visions that this brought before Lucy’s eyes are what caused her glee. The gentleman in question was a good-looking widower of 28, one of the F. F. V., and a petted member of society. Seven years before he had fallen in love with and married a beautiful but penniless school-mistress, who had lived hut a few months afterward. He felt the loss det-ply at first, but soon reoorere 1 and again appeared in the world of goft-rr, a fcujE’et for bright eyes and a • nctam i»r s -hennne mammas—an 1 whv

11 < x Uk l ! o Wl* j ** l Zi *XI he 15ve3? jKiss » ane was m&Etng a tour <£ some <x jute rxißUjori Suaies, where she and Thrives, sud £l the linie town of £L A ria :ur Darrie. Both in--oeirr.siWe firts. and soon were engaged in a contest of-wu and repartee. So a&sjducuuriy dm ttsey devote tiiemseives to each c*iht r that people exchanged significant glrm .-e? whenever they were seen together.. -But they understood each other, and-neitber was in a hurry to take any serious step, but both were bept on getting all the good there was iir life. At last the day came to say good-by, and Ada left for the North. However, both expected to attend the Author’s Carnival, in Boston, the, following spring, so did not say good-by, but au revoir. Soon after her return home, Ada had some photographs token, and sent one relatives in H. One of her young uncles showed it to Mr. Darcie, and he immediately, to use her uncle’s language, “ nearly took a fit, sent his photo with his very best respects, and would she bo so kind as to send hers in return ? ” Of course he didn’t get it, as A<}a was whte, made all the additions she odnld to ner album, but was careful that her own picture should be all the more desirable that it was hard to obtain, and this is how she came by the In jite time the other picture was ■writhm Tor and obtained. When Lucy "received it she exhibited it to her schoolmates as a recent conquest, making all tle boys jealous and the girls envious. Atta told lier that he would be in Boston at tjje..(-!ar>ival, and, as the spring vacation would come in April, she determined to persuade her brother to take her. After consultation with Ada they reso ved- to go in a party, as that would be the more enjoyable way. April came, and with it came vacation. On the 10th, Lucy, her mother and brother arrived at 0., the home of Mr. Vano. They found all ready, and, after a day’s rest, started direct for Boston to secure their apartments, lest they should be given up to earlier guests. They found their rooms all that could be desired. Everybody went to bed early, as no one expected to get much sleep after that night, Next dav, in looking over the list of arrivals, Charles Vane found that his Uncle Hamel, with his son and daughter, Frank and Florence, had taken rooms’at the same hotel. He hastened to inform his sisters, who were delighted, Jennie that in her cousin Frankie she would have a companion somewhere near her own age, and Ada that Florence Hamel and John Clare would again be brought together. They had been schoehmtes and had formed an early attachment for each other, but both were selLwilled and hence had iniore'ihan once. Their en liad recently been broken off,

and Adft hoped finally to reconcile them. Accordingly she hastened to her nude’s rooms, and, as soon as possible, carried ofthe^cbnsin'to help them arrange their plans for the week’s enjoyment. «TIW were soon interrupted byaw>titet f >r Miss Vane. 51)1 looking at fie'm she saw that they bore the names of A'thuc and Alan Darcie. Composedly telling the waiter to show them up, on his exit she turned exul tingly to Lucy and said : "** r 'Gbbd ! Here is the original of your photo. Let me see ho w you look. Ch, charming, of course. That slightly heightened color is very becoming.” * “O dear! I am sorry he is in such a hurry to call. I should much rather be introduced in a crowd, at the Carnival for instance, when John would likely be occupied in interesting Florence. Xou know what an awful tease he is, and if I should-happen to be the least bit nervous I shall never hear the end of it. ” “ Why-should you be nervous? You have had-introductions enough to have outgrown 1 that silly trick, I hope.” ‘*Well, you know,” returned Lucy, ‘ ‘ this will be an introduction under rathei different circumstances. What does he Vtmnk.of me? What would mamma siv if she only knew? I must be careful on her account. But vou have twe cards, whose is the other, if 1 may know ? ” »“ O, I guess you are not the only one who is to have a beau. Mr. Darcie has brought with him his brother Alan. He 'is also a widower, but a few years plder than Arthur. 1 have never' seen him, as he. was away when I was in H.. I bitt reportsays he is every bit as good- • looking a$ his brother and quite at

weal thy. I mean to capture him—if 1 can. feut, here they are.” Lucy turned quietly to talk with Flor•pee, While Ada arose to receive her guests. “ How do you do, Mr. Darcie ? lam delighted to see you,” she said, cordially extending her hand to Arthur, and casting a comprehensive look at his brother, who happened to be glancing at th« other members of the group. ‘<l need not ask if you are well,” returned Mr. Darcie, “ Yes, I am quite well, and happy, said Ada. “My brother and I came over last night to see if you had arrived, and when we saw your name in the register determined to call before any one else should come and deprive ns of the pleasure of showing you the lions.” “ I am glad you did call early, for more reasons wan one. Do you see that young lady with the bright brown eyes and beautiful complexion ? Not the one with curly hair and dreamy eyes—sne is my cousin, a Southerner, like yourself. The other one, Lucy Clare, is the girl who has yoir picture. She says she is almost ashamed to meet you . after her childish behavior. But she is a very excellent girl, nevertheless, and I will wager you that ruby ring, you so much admire against a volume of Tennyson's ‘ Queen Mary’ that, you fall a victim to her witching ways before we leave Boston. But you are forgetting your brother. Pray introduce him.” “ Done!—And so I am. Alan, this is Miss Vane, who woke up our sleepy little town this winter, while you were in New Orleans. Miss Vane, Mr. Dar--016 Nothing has filled me with deeper i egret than that I missed the pleasure of an acquaintance with the young lady who so quickly and fully took by storm the dormant hearts of H.,” said he, bowing low. ‘‘ I also regretted that I did not see Mr. Darcie, whose delightful articles I had read with so much pleasure,” replied Ada, returning his bow and casting down her eyes to show how effectively her loner, curved lashes swept her cheek. “Thanks. I did not know that my poor essays would interest a young lady of fashion. I thought they eschewed all such dry matter.” “Now, there is where you gentlemen wrong us. You think That because we are fond of dress and gayety we care for nothing else. But yon are greatly mistaken. I read a great deal myself, and there is my friend, Miss Clare, to whom i see your brother is all impatience to be introduced. She is studying hard for a degree in the University of C. No one would think so to see her in society. But let me introduce you to her and to the rest of Hie gayest company of young people that ever got together for a good time.”

She led them over to where Lucy and Florence sat conversing with Mr. Clare and her brother, Mrs. Clare having become deeply interested in “ Daisy Miller,” which was creating such a stir in literary circles. Introducing them first to Mrs. Clare and thtto to the girls, she took them last to the two young men, who clasped their hands warmly and said, “If you will join ns we will give these girls enough of pleasuring this week to make them glad to rest awhile, any way.” ••We shall ba most happy to join yon and give ycu all the assistance we can, but hope the ladies will not be surfeited in a week. We think of making a tour of th-. N onhe-ru States aad Canada during the h<4 summer months, and if you can make it o.aivement to take a trip at the same r—■- it win give us supreme pleasure,’’ resumed the younger Mr. Darcie. T~ m tog to Lucy, he said, “Your fail term does not begin until September, floes it, Miss Clare ?” "No,” she replied, “not until the second week of September. There would be plenty of time to see all the places of interest. Think of visiting Niagara, the Thousand Isles, the classic Hudson, home of my favorite author, Irving. Will you not go, mamma ?” “ I will think about it during the week, my child, and let you know,” smiled her good-natured mother. “You know I must write and consult your father. But it is getting late, and we have not arranged how we are to pass the time while here.” “Well, the Carnival .will take two days, at least, will it not ?” said Mr. Vane. _

“ Yes. Then it will take another day to look over the city. Kellogg is here, and Booth is coming, so I think we can find enough to fill up the time, ” continued Mr. Clare. “ What does Kellogg sing to-night ?” “ Marguerite; one of her best characters, and Peakes is Mephisto,” replied the elder Mr. Darcie. “My brother and I have already secured a box, and it will give us groat pleasure to share it with you. Miss Vane, if you will do me the honor to accompany me I shall be most happy to call for you at eight.” And thus one evening was disposed of. Soon after the gentlemen went off together, leaving the ladies to talk of them and of how they should dress for the evening. Florence said she had heard “Faust” twice and did not care to go again. She and Mr. Clare had already decided to hear Von Bulow that evening. “Well, how do you like him?” said Ada to Lucy, as they sat combing out each other’s hair preparatory to dressing. “O, I can’t tell yet. I like him very well so far. He is different from most young men I have ihet. He seems to think that there are some girls who care tor something besides flattery and gossip. However, people always do their best the first time. After you are well acquainted and they are less on their guard is the time when you can best tell what they are. But I mean to win your wager for you if I can. You don’t seem to value your ring very highly, putting it against such a little book, or else your hopes of winning are high. ” ‘ * I didn’t happen to think of anything else I wanted just then, and I was pretty certain of winning. I can tell pretty well from the beginning how such matters will terminate. You know I have been in the field some time and ought to have a little experience. Are you going with him to-night?” “Yes, indeed. He asked me as soon as he could with propriety. Mamma and your uncle intend to stay and talk over old times; your brother, I believe, is going to hunt up an old college chum, and Jennie and Frank don’t care to go. So you see we shall be alone in our glory. ” “And I am going with the distinguished author. Wouldn’t it be nice if one of these fine days we should become sisters-in law ? What do you think about marrying a rebel, though ? That is the only consideration that disturbs file. But we haven’t married them yet, and rebels are supposed to be an extinct species. What will you wear? ” “My pink silk with the white lace overdress, and pearls. You wear your blue; then we shall look like sisters. Our features are something alike, and our dresses exactly alike excepting in

“There, you look bewitching as a fairy. Here is your cloak. You had better just let it slip off your shoulders a little, as you are not accustomed to a bare neck and may take cold. It would not do to spoil your voice, for I told Mr. D. that you almost rivaled Kellogg herself. Take your fan and gloves, and now you are ready. How do I look ? ” “ Charming as ever, and that is high praise. If you have been ‘in the market’ a longtime, it is your own fault, and if you do not catch this golden fish it won’t be because your appearance is not taking. Here they are, now.” They enjoyed the opera, and all the more that they saw so many lorgnettes directed toward their box, where sat two of the handsomest couples in the whole house. On the way home Arthur Darcie and Lucy made arrangements to occupy the pext morning in riding over

town. Ada and the elder Mr. Darcie projected a visit to the libraries to examine some old book they had been discussing. Florence and Mr. Clare gave such glowing accounts of Dr. Von Bulow’s performance .that those who had not heard him determined to go that night. Next day was spent at the Carnival, and in the evening all went to see Booth in “ Richelieu. From the beginning the party had paired off, and seemed to take it for granted that it was to be so. Thus the days and nights new by in endless rounds of pleasure and excitement, until the girls were really, glad when the time came for packing. On the last evening, after their return from hearing “Mignon," Florence, .Lucyand Ada sat together talking over the events of the week. “ Well, two operas, one concert, one play, one kettle-drum, three day J occupied in visiting all the art galleries, libraries and every other thing worth seeing in this ‘ hub of the world,’ not counting the hours we have sat up talking and singing when we ought to have been in bed, I call a pretty good summing up of a week for a girl whois supposed to be resting for next term’s work,” said Lucy, yawning and throwing herself upon the bed. “ Yes. I know Til never be up in time for the tram to-morrow,” continued Florence, letting down her hair, which fell in ringlets far below her waist.

“I’m satis led,” cried Ada, looking up from a beautiful little volume of blue and gold which she had received that day. “I’m satisfied—l’ve won my wager. Aren’t you going to invite us to be bridesmaids ? When is the happy.event to occur ? You will have to give up venr degree and assume the matron s cap and keys. Tell us all about it, Lucy. When diilhe put the momentous question ? What did he say ? There, you have enough questions to begin not going to tell you what he said. I know I felt like running away. It was my first bona-fide offer and I did not know what I should do or say. I have always managed before to ward off that part of it. I found my wits, though, by the time I needed thein, and I told him that I hadn’t thought of marrying for some time yet, any way not until I had left school. I was verv grateful to him for his kindness in making the past week so pleasant, but supposed he was only thinking of the present enjoyment, as I was. (What a fib 1) But you know he is an experenced hand and knew how to plead. As I had no idea of giving him up altogether, I finally allowed him to persuade me into saying that if in a year from now he was of the same mind he might come to see me graduate, and may be receive a more favorable answer. He wanted to put that solitaire ring on my finger, bnt I wouldn’t let him. No, indeed, I am not going to bind myself and give up all the fun I have at school. How shockingly I talk ! Soberly, now, he does nearly meet my ideal. ” “I see Florence looks unusually happy, and her eyes have a more far-away look than ever. Have you and John made up at last and for good ? ” “Yes, we have concluded to be good natured until after we are married at Christmas.” “ Let me give you a little old-maidish advice: If you two don’t learn to be a little more forbearing I tremble for your future. You, with your hot Southern b’ood, and he, with * his equally-quick temper, are just the ones to make misery for yourselves—if you wisli. I don’t like people without tempers, but, you, know, they need a bridle. There, I’ve done.” . “ Thank you, cousin. I know Ive a sweet temper of my own, but I am not really angry, always, when I seem to be so. I like to see John’s eyes light up, but I promised that I would forego that pleasure. ” “As neither of you will rotice this curious ring on my finger, I am compelled to call your attention to it. Yesterday Mr. Darcie asked me to marry him. I asked for a day to think about it, and told him that, if I wore flowers tonight instead of jewels, he might take hope. You see this withered wreath? We are to be married on the first day of the new year. ” “ Only to think what a simple bit of pasteboard has brought about,” exclaimed Lucy.