Tribune and telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1855-1856, 1855-08-16
From Sharpe's London Magazine.l
JANET GORDON.
by SILyERPEN.
/Concluded from last 1ceek.

Janet and her new mistress return, ana 60 TO-
gether into noble sitting room,, in which We
nv large frame of worsted work is a conspicuous
object For twenty years, Lady Chauncy has
been wasting her days over this fabrication of a
carpet, which is now to be handed over for the
larger part of the morning to Janet, who will have
to form bud and flower under her mistress super
vision. But, previously to the beginning. letters
have to be read and written. The old butler at
this iuncture bringing in the letter bag, Lady
Chauncy takes her seat in high-backed chair be-
hind the frame, and with small table before her,
covered with work and papers, awaits Janet's
duty of reading the letters.
Look first to letter from my nephew, Sir
Walter Chauncy. 1t will be sealed, and its crest
raven. Open it--and ifitbe marked private,
your duty with all letters; and with respect to
which L shall expect entire silence
The letter is found-and not being so marked,
is read. 1t simply states that its writer Sir Wal
ter, viii be at Chauncy Manor in a few days,
where he will remain till the end of June; and
in the first week in July sail on his return to
Bombay. Little as these words convey to a
strangers ear, they seemed to perplex my lady
much. She becomes absent and irritable; and
the carpet work following, in which Janet shows
herself but poor proficient, she says some quer
ulous and unkind things-arraigns her friend
Miss Atkinson's judgment-and hints; that "a
companion to suit must be skillful needle-wo-
man. With incredible patience and sweetness,
Janet hears this, and replies not, beyond assur-
ing her mistress that few days. practice will
add to her proficiency, and that not through want
of diligence or care she will fail. Thus the
weary morning passes by behind the dull screen,
and amidst the intrcacics of rose-leaves unlike
those of nature.
At noon my lady lunches; and after assisting
her, Janet adjourns to dinner, and to a second
dose of the Tidd and Tippins' enquiries. Be-
two md fou,. 1o1, hoe bar and
after that receives Subdivisions as may call-and
these hours are happily Janet's. She takes some
books and repairs to the terrace-seat she has fix
ed upon as her favorite one; but this afternoon
she cannot read, her heart is oppressed, and
finds its vent III tears. Her life is so new and
strange-those around her are either so cold and
naughty, or coarse and tamiliar-that she thinks
of Archie and Susan with greater love than she
ever thought before; but byand-by this very
strength of her love for them consoles her; for
their sakes she must endure and strive, and pre-
sently she is struck with the idea of how much
good there is in the path before her how happy
is her lot in thus being cast amidst these sweet
country scenes, compared to what it would
have been in some dull city street. and shut up
with noisy children The growth towards pa
tience and self-content is wound up by the APP
pcarance of Mr.. Mellow bearing n small basket
of dollhouse strawberries, which he presents
when he looks carefully NJ and down the ter
race.
Visitors gone, Lady Clauncy walks again up
on the terrace; then she is deliberately bedizcncd
and at seven dimes. After that nap agan--at
nine, tea, which Janet makes and assists her
with.
Can you play or sing! she asks abruptly
Either IS accomplishment did asls f;-r
but if they are yours, shall be glad
The young girl confcsscs that She both plays
and sings little. Going to the piano she sings
Sip hnll ,,l1
she fancics my lady will love; and when ended
she comes back softly to her seat. 1t is then tine
for prayers; they again read, and she prepares
TO assist my lady to her chamber.
As Yet Lady Chauncy has said nothing about
Janct's songs but now, as the young girl would
assist her from her chair, she lays her hand ten
derby on her hcad-her first familiarty-and
says.
Go on thus my child, and you will be an in
cXprcssible comfort to me-
These are golden words to Janet. She kneels
down, and girl-like, bursts into tears.
i am very lonely, madam; but your counte-
nance will make me forget it.
Lady Chauncy makes no reply other than by
another pressure Of her hand; but the feeling in
her heart is a richer one than Janet suspects.
In a few days Sir Walter comes. The even
ing he arrives, Janet spends III her chamber, and
employs it in writing to Archie and Susan. Next
morning my lady comes late into the stting-room
indeed, long after Janet had commenced her dali
" duty to the gracious rosebuds.
1fSir Walter comes whilst YOU are in the room,
by no means leave the Frame says my lady, but
continue at your work, unless told by me to re-
tire; in which case pass out by this door; and my
lady points to the one at the back of her chair.
Sir Waiter does come I'M day by day Janet
hears a naughty masculine voice, but never secs
either face or figure nor can Sir Walter sec her
though he must see her feet beneath the frame,
opI bar Ettia hands +bax7 C,li3a tn al 4.D, il
the needle. But she might be a block of stone
for any apparent interest those present take in
her. Their talk is usually of monetary affairs,
and this is not always anlicable in kind. 1t ap-
pears from what they say, that Sir Walter, after
some years absence in India, returned within
the last year to assume his title TO the baronetcy Of
Chauncy, which became his upon the death OF an
uncle, brother to Lady Chauncys deceased hus-
band, and to the young mans deceased father.
Having led disspated life in India, he has come
home needy, and will return SO but for Lady
Chauncy's aid; for tho large estates are tied up
with the baronctcy, their last possessor greatly
neglected them, and a large sum is needed for
their improvements Sir Walter wants
this to proceed during his forthcoming absence,
and the tug of war between him and his aunt
seems not only 10 be on account of money-but
that the mulberry-noSe steward may have moth
ing to do with such management. Lady Chaun-
cy has, it would further seem a great fortune in
her own right; and is much welded to belief in
the high morality of Tidd and Tippins, though
lattcrly it has been little shaken by various
matters which have reached her ear and eye.
Thus things proceeded for some days. Janet
is daily in Sir Walters presence, and yet has
never seen him. She might, were she coquette
enough; but my lady's wish is dutifully obcyed.
At length, one day Sir Walter takes ride across
the country, and his hour of return will be I'M
certain. My lady, therefore, falls back into her
usual habits and maps, and dimes, and takes tea,
and has music as usual. Janet is singing when
Sir Walter comes in she rises to retire, but my
lady bids her, little Grossly go on which she
does. When she ends, she withdraws, with lit
tie more than a hurried glance at the tall, dark,
naughty looking man who stands regarding her.
day or two after she sees him again. My la
gy is having her siesta-and Janet is sitting on
her favorite terrace, reading, when smelling the
Whit of cigar, she looks up, and sees the same
dark stranger as before. He seems inclined to
come and take a seat beside herr but remember
ing my lady'S injunction, she rises, bends to him
and returns TO the house.
Lady Chauncy's perplexity and irritability
increase. Sir Walter goes the day after the NOR
row, and yet the debated monetary affairs are
still unsettled. That night when Janet has
read prayers, my lady bids her kneel beside
her.
My child she says, Il want You to advise me
for if you do so, it must be disinterestedly be-