Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1857-04-06
HE vERNESS.

seen the father of my two little darlings; / knew
ne was handsome, though seldom raised INV
eyes to his; L thought him unwontedly gracious
put that was all. They told me was beauti-
ful- Even the stately old housekeeper stately
10 all but me, ussd to part my long hair with
her slender fingers, and once she said in a
dreamy sort of way % its very fine and glossy
child, Its very soft and silky. In all the wide
world, child, there is nothing like beautiful
face-and the Lord made man in his image
oh be thankful, child, that you are lovely but
often, often think that through eyelids as white
rs yours, through lips as ruby, on pure cheeks
over lofty brOws, through long and golden
tresSes, between soft fingers, under gieamy
teeth, the worms have revelled, child"
How shuddered at this and once, when she
spoke In her cold way, the baronet came in,
saying, Don't frighten her, good Mrs Hunt.
Even then, did not think upon his kind plances
ana tender interest, as some girls might. The
children, fair-haired darlings, how they loved
me They were both beautiful So lovely
Grace was fairy, sparkling-eyed child Ger
trude had deep, dark, shining eyes They were
well named. Gertrude was calm and refec-
tive, gwen to strange sayings, and dreamy,
mysterious thoughts; Grace was only happy
when both dimpled hands were heaDed with
roses, and kisses were showered on her round
cheeks; she lived in an atmosphere of love
Gertrude, yes, even then, / think she had
being in heaven.
was only gOverness, and / took NO airs
upon myself was very Undetermined, for
had seen great trouble and poverty ; very
grateful for my situation was a delightful one.
and everybody was kind TO me. There was a
friend of the family who always affected me
strangely She was a noble lady proudly hand
some, rich and titled She pretended to be nv
friend, but her cold suspicious glances confused
and made me unhappy. She gave much advice
was always telling me how poor and lOwly 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, I
carried little Grace over to Lady Isabel, as she
had requested me- My brow beat ard burned
intOlerabiy, 50 that l could not lift it up with
ease.
You are getting subject to these headaches" :"
said Lady Isabel, :. you suffer don't you?'
More than l can tell" answered family
| can relieve you, easily" she quietly re-
marked
How, tell me, for it is very painful, :" cried
Her look fshed through my brain. She sat
close beside me she gathered upmy heavy curIs.
Your hair, child she muttered with almost
closed lips, . it will induce brain fever; kill you
perhaps-let me cut it off, :" and she reached her
scissors, fastened in their silver sheath.
Mono" / cried, for was proud of nv
hair, and like fash came the hideous thought
a. the grand le iful woman was jealous Of
lne-Of a poor little governess
Her eyes flashed fire; she stood her jewelled
hand lifted, her eyes cleaning with furious pas
zion.
Oh you think yourself paragon of beauty
i can see. You wish to retain your long ring
lets, that you mesh them about the baronet's
heart. Yes You think your bright eyes will
enslave you Yes, you poor beggar; and SO
they may but mark me, minion, only to your
disgrace He knows how we'll you love him
laughs at it; despises You for it-he-he told
Inc So"
blank came over my life-oh the weary
time that passed / would no. look at nor !
speak 10 the barOnet, till our little Gertrude |
died. saw her well at evening; was arous- |
ed at midnight by the baronet himself. A !
deathly chill crept over me, as / cried, seeing !
ms white face, = leave me, sir-how dare"
He had not heard me, humbly hoped. for |
his words dispelled my terror. - My little Ger
trude is dying. and calls for you"
Till she died, that dear heart rested on my
bosom in the morning, / laid back the damp
eurls and kissed her cold lips. She was gone
- must go" l whispered, over her clay" /
cannot stay here; it is agony"
80 not long after, 1 gathered my few clothes, |
and stole softly from the house, that envy and
jealousy had made terrible TO me. shall never
forget that night. The hills were white with |
moonlight, and / wanted to pluck one violet to !
take with me. In that quiet hour, knelt sob
b;ng over the mound, breathed one prayer, !
gathered my flowers and turned to go-I knew
not whether. A tall form stood beside me,
was so pale. so sorrowful, as he said - Lillian
what does this mean! Where are you going
my child -
His voice trembIed. turned away, and the I
tears ran down my cheeks.
DO we not treat YOU well, Lillian ?" he .
asked, how mOurnfully.
Yes. oh yes" 1 murmured, "you have |
been only too kind -
And my poor little motherless child would |
you leave her, Lillian
At this lost all self-controI eff you had !
had not jeSted at me, sobbed despiSed me-
boasted that IL
Stop, Lillian, what do these words mean 7'' |
he asked, in stern tones
Lady Isabel 1 gasped, and as I grew |
calm, as far as my delieacy would let me, ,
gave her cruel language, word for word.
- 1t is false-false, all false" +" he said, taking
my hand, :. for so far from boasting that knew |
You loved Inc, Lillian, / did not dare believe |
that one 80 young, so beautiful, so good and |
gentle. might feel other than sentiments of |
friendship, fOr man so much older and grayer
than herself" His voice grew soft and musi-
call was Observation-Disclosures; nv conf
dence deserted me
@ Yes, Lillian, gladly would make YOU INV
own dear wife, " he added, drawing me Tn his
side True, you have neither gold nor sta
tiOn, but the wealth of q pure, glad young
heart like yours is all 1 ask. Say, will you
take the place of the sainted one. who lies here
with little Gertrude Lillian. tell me. can
you love Inc well enough to marry me ~
Oh Heaven knows / had long, long loved ,
him. not daring to whisper it to myself in the |
darkest night: and over Gertrude's grave l |
told him, Yes
Poor Lady Isabel she had trusted TO her |
beauty. her gold, her power, and they had failed
her. When she first saw me with NV noble
husband. she grew white with anger, disap- |
pointment and terror. that her duplcity had !
been discovered. Poor Lady Isabel she il /
unmarried to this day. and she loved the baro- !
net herself
IHE BCRDKLL CAsE-ln the Supreme Court
Ul New \ ork on Thursday, Judge Davies granted
-. hloh"n OF the counsel for Mrs. Cunningha
- 70 Irninve her trial from the Court of General
-, ohs a' to that Of Oyer and Terminer, which
81 81 on Monday next. The petition sets forth that
snc u Shlfely Innocent of the murder of Harvey