Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1865-01-14
anored post: In short, 1 was puzzled with

/ amored post In short, was puzzled with
what heard and saw.
! My rich, proud cousin treated her dependent
SO Familiarity. made so free with her on all oe.
cas- ions that 1t would have been impossible for
! any oAe to have noticed the least distin ction
between them She played and sang like a
professor, danced with equal skill and grace,
! spoke French and Italian huently. and ap-
! peafed so thorough bly, at home that even VINO
| am no ha,terer pronounced her clever, and
thought her something more. Bat when one
| quiet evening she prod uced a fe sketches for
| irspectiOn, felt totally At a loss 10 account
for her present position on any other hypo:hs.
| en- her family. Being, however, altogether ig.
| nCrant ~ her history l DOUBTED the genuine
ness OF her pictures at first, bnt she promptly
convinced me during the execution of a ter
| ~ little piece OF work, that she was in truth
very respectable artist.
Why was she then the attendant OF nv York
shire cousin! Why not governess in some
great house! Ia vain put these queries to my
self Surely her story must he a strange one,
thought; and with a growing interest 1 could
not quell, resolved, IL possible, to know
something OF her past life. Bot the time for
my couSn's departure was drawing very near.
What could do 10 prolong her stayl
These thoughts were still uppermost in my
mind, and no opportunity had yet presented
Itself for the de sired inter view when nv sis.
ter Minnie came and told me that "Annte' had
expressed her wish to return home, although
she had certainly enjoyed her visit exceeding
ly.
"But. W hat do you say, Ernestl'' continued
Minnie; "should we not press her toreEain
few days lungerl"
determined 10 be on my guard, 1 merely re-
plieo, '.Well, Minnie, it is matter in W lich
can have little interest; but il you and mother
Ike the ladys society, ask her to remain, by all
means"
This was done, and did not allow many
days TO pass withSu ut obtaining the longed tets-
n-iete with the brilliant Mas WATSON. 1t was
during one OF her evening rambies in The gar
den that resolved to satisfy a feeling which
il would not be fair idle curiosity. She was
reserved at first, but 1 persevered. Still,
she spoke reluctantly, and still pressed her
10 tell me more. The Leading incidents of her
eysntful lite were briefly related in simple
language. Several times l thought / could
discern strange sort OF smile playing about
her beautiful conntenance, but was too excited
70 attribute IL 10 any particular cause. Her
story was soon told. 1t was full OF thrilling
interest to me. but with the sequel so near at
hand 1t could hardly so affect the reader. She
was a hidden diamond, q gem without the
worlds bright setting, yet purer and brighter
than the richest treasure OF earth, because ra-
diant in the light OF innocence and truth.
Need dwell long upon The suit of this fatal
interview! No. proposed-was accepted, and
in less than two minutes ater had been happy
for tie rest of my existence, / was made w.
fully uncomfortable by the merry peais of
top TO bottom, revealing the fact that l had
been made the victim Of NEST unpardonahIs
plot, the principal actor being 10 other than
Annie Hilton, of Bromley Hail, the future
vile OF Ernest Morland. In a month l was
married; not, indeed 10 poor lady's compan-
ion. but 10 1. rich and beautiful heiress, and
although many years have gone over our
heads, have never found any reason TO de.
plore, or find fault with, 'How They Cooked
Ne"