New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1857-05-11
The aoverness.

The 0overness.
|
It is sad story. Twas q governess-a poor de-
pendent in noble house. had many times thought
OF the father Of my two little darngs knew that
be was handsome, though seldom raised my eyes to
his. thought him unwontedly gracious, and that
was all. They told me that was beautiful and the
stately old housekeeper who used to part my hair
with her slender fingers said in dreamy sort of
ne sn %da G MSrd oSd there i
thing like beautiful face-and the Lord made man
In his own image-oh! be thankful, child, that you
are lovely, but Often often think that through eyeids
q white Is yours through lips as l ruby on Pure
tresses between soft fingers under gleamy teeth the
How shuddered at this! and once, when she
spoke in her cold way, the Bsronet came in saying,
sDon't frighten her, good Mrs. Hunt Even then /
did not think Of his kind glances and tender interest
as some girls might. The children, jar-haired dar
lngs how they loved me! They were both beautiful.
So lovely Grace was fairy, sparkling eyed child.
Gertrude had deep, dark, shining eyes. They were
calm and reflective, given to strange sayings. and
dreamy, mysterious thoughts. Grace was only hap
py when both dimp!ed hands were filled with roses,
and kisses were showered on her round cheeks; she
lived in an atmosphere of love. Gertrude yes,
then, think she had being in heaven.
] was only governess, and took no airs upon
myself / was very humble,minded, for had seen
great trouble and poverty very grateful for my stu.
alton was delightful one, and everybody was kind
to me. There was friend of the family who always
affected me strangely She was noble lady, proudly
handsome, rich and titled She pretended to be my
friend, but her cold suspicious glances confused and
made me unhappy. She gave me much advice, was
always telling me how poor and lowy had been, and
how humble should be, cautioning me to beware of
the baronet, and giving dark mysterious hints, that
frightened me into a headache, and led me to shun
the good baronet
One day when my brain was hot and heavy, car
rio ft1oE To- Tuob ot had
quested me. My brow beat and burned intolerably,
so that could not lift it up with ease.
You are getting subject to these headaches, said
Lady Isabel you suffer. don't you ~
More than can tell, !" answered family.
II can relieve you easily she quietly remarked.
How tell me, for it is very painful" l cried.
Her look flashed through my BRAIN She sat close
beside me she gathered up my heavy curls !" Your
willinduce brainfev er-kll you perhaps Let me cut
it off" And she reached her scissors fastened in
| their silver sheath. ltsD-
| No, no, cried, for was proud of my hair, and
like fash came the hideous thought that the grand
beautiful woman, was jealous Of me-of poor little
| goyerness
| Her eyes flashed fire (; she stood, her jeweed hand
/ lifted, her eyes cleaning with furious passion:
/ cob! You think yourself paragon of beauty, can
see. You wish to retain your long ringlets that you
may mesh them about the baronets heart. Yes, you
think your bright eyes will enslaye him. Yes, you
| poor beggar, and 50 disgrace him. He knows how
well you love hm-aughs at it-despises you for it
\ he--he told me SOL
| "A blank came over my life-oh, the weary time
| that passed would not look at nor speak to the
baronet till our little Gertrude died. saw her well
at evening was aroused at midnight by the baro-
net himself Adeathly chill crept over me. Icred,
seeing his white face "leaye me, sir how DARE
He had not heard me, humbly hoped, for his words
dispeIed my terror. My little Gertrude is dying,
and calls for you.a
Till she died, that dear heart rested my bosom ;
in IrII pt day
her cold lips She was gone. q must go" whis
pered over her clay, cannot stay here til agony
Not long after Igathered my few clothes, and stole
softly from the house, that envy and jealousy had
made terrible to me. shall never forget that night
The bills were white with moonlight and wanted to
pluck one violet to take with me. In that quiet hour
knelt sobbng over the mound, breathed one prayer,
gathered my flowers and turned to go-I knew not
fear him now, nor dislike him he soTpale SO sor
rowful as he said, 6 Lillian, what does this mean ~
Where are you going my child 2"
His voice trembled / turned away and the tears
ran down my cheeks. s.se. 3D.
Do we not treat you well, Lillian ?" he asked. how
mournfully.
n Yes, Oh yes" murmured, ''youhav been only
too kind
And my poor little motherless child; would you
At this / lost all selEcontrol. T" If you had not
jested at me-" Isobbed, despised me, boasted that
i"
Stop, Lillian. What do these words mean?" he
asked, in stern tones.
"Lady Isabel,n gasped and as I grew calm as
far as my delicacy would let me- gave her cruel Ian
guage, word for word.
g It's false-all false,' he said, taking my hand
tfor SO far from boasting that knew you loved me-
Lillian, did not dare believe that one SO young, so
beautiful so good and gentle, might feel other than
sentiments Of friendship for man SO much older and
graver than herself" His voice grew soft and must
call was astonshed- overwhelmed-m confidence