Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1857-05-08
THE GOVEItNESS.

poor dependent IN noble house. l had
many times seen the father Of my two liz
tie charges. knew he was handsome,
though | seldom raised my eyes to his.
thought unwontedly gracious, but that
was all. They told me [ was beautiful.
Even the stately old housekeeper-state.
ly TO all but me-used TO part my long
hair with her slender fingers; and once
she said in dreamy sort Of a way. "IL's
very 6ne and glossy. child; it's very soft
and silky. In all the wide world, child,
there is nothing like beautiful face
And the Lord made man in his image ,
0. be thankful, child. that you are love-
ly; but often, often think that through
lips as ruby. on pure cheeks. over lofty
brows, through long and golden tresses,
between soft tingers. under gleamy teeth,
the worms have revelled. child"
How shudde,ed at this And once
when she spoke in her cold way. the ba
rOnet came in, saying, "don't frighten
her, good Mrs. Hunt" Even then did
not think upon his kind glauces and ten,
der interest. as some girls might.
The children. fair-haired darlings, how
they loved me. They were both beauti-
full. So lovely Grace was fair, spark
ling eyed child: Gertrude had deep. dark,
shining eyes. They were we'll named
Gertrude was calm and refeclive-given
to strange sayings, and to dreamy. mys-
terious thoughts. Grace was only happy
when both dimp!ed hands were filed with
roses. aud kisses were showered On her
round cheeks. She lived in an atmos
phere of love. Gertrude-yes, even then
think she had being in heaven.
was only governess, and took no
airs upon myself. 1 was very humble.
minded, for had seen great trouble and
poverty; very grateful, for my situation
was delightful one, and every ybody was
kind to me. There was friend of the
e family that always affected me strangely.
She was noble lady-proud, handsome.
rich aud titled. She pretended to be my
friend; but her cold, suspicious glances
confused and made me feel unhappy
She gave much advice. was always tell.
ing nae how poor and lowly had been.
how humble [ should be. cautioning me
20 beware OF the baronet. and giving dark,
mysterious hints that invariably frighten-
ed me into headache, and led me to
shun the good baronet.
One day. when my brow was hot aud
heavy, l carried little Grace over to Lady
Isabel. as she had requested me. Ny
brow beat aud burned intolerably, SO that
/ could not lift it up with ease.
I" You are getting sub ject to these head
aches," said Lady Isabel. "You suffer,
don't you ?"
"More than can tell" 1 answered,
family.
IL can relieve you. easily" she quiet
ly remarked.
"How! Tell me; for it is very pain.
full" cried.
Her look flashed through my BRAIN
She sat close beside me; she gathered up
my heavy curls.
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, fasten-
ed in their silver sheath.
"No-no !" cried; for L was proud
of my hair. And like flash came to me
the hideous thought that this grand. beau
titul woman was Jealous of me-of poor
little governess.
Her eyes flashed fire; she stood, her
jeWelled hand lifted, her eyes cleaning
with furious passion.
-a1" Oh you think yourself paragon of
beauty-I can see ! You wish to retain
your long ringlets, that you may mesh
them about the barouet's heart. Yes,
you sbink your bright eyes will enslave
him. 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 me so.' -.r
A blank came over my life-Ohl the
Wearyitime that passed. L would not
look nor speak to the baronet till our lit>
tie Gertrude died. saw her we'll at ev-
ening; l was reused at midnight by the
osronet himself A deathIy chill crept
over me as L cried. seeing his white face.
leave me, sir. How dare-''
de had not heard me. l humbIy hoped
for his words dispelled my terror: "My
little Gertrude is dying. and calls for
you." -
Till she died. that dear head rested on
my bosom. In the morning laid back
the damp curls and kissed her cold Iips.
She was gone. "I must CO." whisper
ed over her clay; II cannot stay here; it
is agony"
50 not long after, gathered my few
clothes and stole softly from the house
that envy aud jealousy had made terrible
70 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; sobbiug.
oyer the little mound, breathed one pray-i