The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1862-07-25
(Fgom the New York Weekly.
NOTHING BUT A G0vERNESS,

II was a chill evening in late autumn, tn
rain sobbng amid the dead leaves tha
carpeted the solemn avenue Of oaks leading
up to Oxford Park. and the skeleton branch
es tossing restlessly in the moaning wind. =
The schoolroom fire had burned very low
but Helen Brooks, as she sat there. leaning
her aching forehead upon her hand. thought
not Of that. She was weary and heart sick
but there was no kindly touch near to
smooth back the dishevelsd brown curls-
no voice to soothe her dsspondent mood
No; for Helen Brooks was only governess
in Mrs. Orford's family. and in the estma.
ton Of that naughty lady. governess was
sort OF flesh and blood machine. who oc-
cupied a position half way between . house
keeper and lady's maid.
Miss Brooks!'
Tn, door was flung open with jerk that
gave an additional throb to Helen's head
ache. aud one Of her little pupils appeared.
dressed in flowing white muslin, with gold
bracelets round her arms, and q row of stiff
curIs depending about her face.
Miss Brooks, mamma says you are to
come aud play for US all to dance! She
says there's no sense in your moping by
.yousself 20 muchr -
!. ..,.... 49, "a = (a14s = 11rf = sss1|
her disordered hair. Mary Oxford waited
the Roverness slender finger. as one by one
she arranged them.
How nicely Your hair curls! Do you
put it in papers?' asked the inquisitive little
girl.
No. said Helen, it curls naturally
WELL said the child, SISTER Georgia's
don't She had it twisted up all day. and
only took il down an hour ago. She wants
TO look pretty tonight, because Cousin Fred
has come, and mamma says il would be
such nice thing if Fred were to marry
Georgia, because he's oh. euev SO rich 7
Helen did not reply: and while she was
rc arranging her little linen collar around
her neck the stiff rustic Of Mrs. Orford's
siiken skirts was heard in she hail. and that
lady swept ina portly, hard-featured wo
man OF about forty. literally blazing with
jewels.
Miss Brooks. 1 believe / sent for you
some minutes since
yes, madam said Helen, meekly. and
was preparing to obey you. l am ready
now
Mrs. Oxford surveyed the worn dress OF
crimson merino. and the linen collar. with a
scornful curve of her proud lip.
Really Miss Brooks. that faded dress is
disgrace to my parlors. l think you owe it
TO yourself to wear nicer clothes. l am
sure pay you two hundred dollars year!'
YES said Helen. coloring deeply. but
You forget. Mrs. Oxford, that my dependent
mother and sister are to be supported from
that sum.'
Mrs. Orford tossed her head and muttered
something about mot expecting to maintain
the whole Brooks family but sailed out OF
the room with great dignity. deigning no
further remark.
When Helen entered the brilliantly light
ed parlors, whose cheerful fires and velvet
carpets were such contrast to the dim
prate worn mating Of the school room. the
appointments were full. Several guests were
assembled beside the family. and Miss
Georgia, the eldest daughter of the house
of Oxford, was radiant in blue silk dress.
Aouuced to the very waist. with her richest
necklace and ear drops sparkling. - il to
help adorn face which certainly needed
all the auxiliaries it could demand. for even
Mrs Oxford saw with an internal pang.
how very much pret,sr were Helen Brooks
soft brown eyes. shining hair, and clear,
oval face. than the pale blue orbs, frecklsd
skiu, aud reddish locks Of Miss Oxford.
Georgia was standing in front Of the
u
young man. Evidently she was in her ele-
mens. smiling and tossing her curls. and be.
slowing her sweetest glances upon the IA.
thar attractive Cousin Fred,' at whom Hell
en- had not ventured . glance.
As she took her seat ct the piauo, Fred
eric Manyn glanced casually toward her
and asked his cousin.
by the way Georgy. who is that prett,
looking girl who is playing for the childrel
70 dances'
o. that is only Helen Brooks. our gov
erness!
Brooks Helen Brooks-l thought he
face was familiar to mel he exclaimed. sud
denly leaving the amszed Georgia. an
springing toward the delicate little figure a
the piano.
'fielen-Miss Brooks!" he said. IS sh
raised her astonished eyes you surely hav'u u
forgotten your old acquaintance. Frsderi
Manynp
Aud he clasped her trembling hand i
both Of his. tslf
,Nr, Manya? SIZE faltered.