The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1861-04-06

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relief when We dismounted at the Hall and
as soon as had led my partner in, bounded
up the staircase. On the wav TO INV char.
Der passed an open door, aud through !,
caught glimpse Of Marguerite. The two
children were busy at their tasks and .h.
sat patiently correcting sketch which ons
OF them had made. A portfolio Law ha.;as
her, which doubted not was filed Win he,
own drawings. She heard nv step. ana
looking up saw me on the threshold.
." hat.' she exclaimed, shave you re.
turned SO soon? did not expect you TO,
an hour or two. hope you have enjoyed
yourself"
mo, have not. Twas really di.appo;ns-
ed because you did not CO."
fain, smile passed over her face.
IL" she muttered; "you can. under.
stand etiquette if you suppose that q gov
erness Is TO be made an equal.
] felt the blood rush to my brow as
replied:
''There are many false notions in society:
am sure Mrs. Cuthbert's goyerness is the
equal OF any one here, and as such regard
her"
Her face crimsoned. and for time there
was silence, which broke by saying:
us this the school room?"
eyes,
sit looks very cool and pleasant; may l
come ins'
81 suppose Mrs. Cuthbers would have no
objection.''
~ hope not!'' and with these word. |
moved to the table at which she was sitting.
"Does that portfolio belong to you - |
inquired, laying my hand on the article in
question. She b1wed assent, and re-
sumed:
"shall have the the pleasure of examin-
ing it's contents? ?"
Certainly, sir.''
She was calm, grave and quiet, but when
! drew forth the pictures and began to
expatiate. then her reticence vanished. Her
eyes lit, the pale cheek glowed. her lips
those mobile lips Of hers-parted, and she
talked with the enthusiasm Of girlhood.
The sketches were indeed wonderful, and at
last said
''lt IS shame for you, with your genius
for painting, to drudge as a governess
Again that peculiar smile fitted over her
features. as she murmured:
1.-The poor must do what they cannot
what they would"
At this moment We were interrupted by
the children, and left her.
In the afternoon as was lounging on u
luxurious sofa in the library, the door
opened and Marguerite appeared, but at
sight OF me she precipIta'ely retired.
"Stay! stay - cried |, following her.
"No, no, | cannot did not dream you
were here; was lonely, and came down
for book"
"Come and get it,
With some reluctance she entered, and
took n spendidly bound copy of Tasso from
the shelf. glanced at it and said:
"What, do you read Tasso?"
"a little.'
"Then take seat beside me, and we will
read together"
She hestated an instant, and then assent
ed. The liquid Tuscan language sounded
very beautiful, syIlabled in her accents, and
the spell with which the governess had
bound me, deepened with every passing
moment.
A month wore on, and one night sat in
my chamber, holding communication with
my own heart. The face that had seen at
the window on my arrival-the face that
had seemed so pale, 50 calm and cold, had
since assumed every variety Of expression.
l
fallen in owe with the goyerness! Yes,
was in love at last-Marguerte haunted all
nv aSepns and waking dreams. | was
musinS thus when heard tap at my door,
and Cuthb bert entered.
.WeII," he said, ''a penny for your
thoughts
81 am thinking" | replied, show miste-
r'ous thing love is.' ..
~ Loo ~ n
Of it. Blanche will be happy woman !"
"'Tis-'ts not Biancheu' | s,ommered J.;
''tisnot Blanch my heart has chosen l love
the governess!"
'The governess. said Cuthbert. "Lounds,
man. what do mean?"
81 have to-day laid heart, hand and TO.
tune at her feet If she accepts me shall
envy nobody in the wide world"
Cuthbert mejitated awhile ere he resumed:
"You must be sincere, Vincent, or you Won d
not marry Mnrguerite."
"Sncere- God knows | am ~
| Nv host gazed at me and laughed a merry
laugh that rang long and loud through the
| hall.
.Mv dear fellow he began, "you are the
victim Of a little ruse. Ny sisterin-law b. 9
had a mortal fear Of falling the prey #
some hunter, and when you, on your
arri 81. mistook her for the soverness. she
could not resist the temptation to carry out
the imposture. In the bit Of a coufab we
| had with her IN the veranda, she begged US
not TO undeceive you, and We humored her
within. She coaxed the cousin who was
STAYING with Us to act the part of the he'ress.
and as she had taught the children during
the absence of their French governess, the.
were not likely to betray her secret
Blanche Marguerite Dupont. come here and
confess! ~ ..... ..a. ..
Dear, dear Richard, know can trust
vow"
Blanche ia now my wife. and peeping
over NV shoulder at my manuscript, she
bids me tell the world she has never re
peuted the s,ratagsm that won my love.