Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1866-04-25

A mild beyond Doyle Hill, at the post house
she took the stage for Mddleville, where sh
arrived in the afternoon. Everything wa
new, strange and noisy, fpr Middevillc boaste'
aome pretensioDs to pavements, enough, a
any rate, to keep up an incessant rattle.
1.-THE new applicant, ma'am," said Bridget
opening the door leading into Mrs. Rockford
sitting room. "The nursery maid, ma'am,
exclaimed the Irish girl again, seeing thai
the lady did not notice the. first announce
ment.
cob, has she come ?" very slowly asked
the lady,. turning lazily around and surveying
Bernice from head to foot. "Sit down.
wish to talk with you"
The young girl obeyed with beating
heart. What if she was not wanted The
idea for the first time entering her mind
nearly took away her breath.
"Have you had any experience as ser,
want ?" in lazy tones.
"No; have no experience"
81 am sorry; don't think"
"If you would try me-" said Bernice, in
sinking tones, az think Iwould suit you, that
is, after a little time."
We'll, you can stay awhile; perhaps you
will do"
Thank you," tie young girl gratefully
answered.
"You can 60 right to the nursery. You
will sleepin the room adjoining the chldrens'
and you must be very faithful to your charge"
~ will be-" s''i
".They all promise so,' was the answer. =
Master George and Louisa were respective
ly four and two years of age, and the exact
counterpart of their indolent mother, who
was widow for the second time Malcolm,
whom we have already seen, being her son by
the first marriage.
With the morrow Bernice entered upon her
duties, finding in a few hours that she had
two young tiger cubs to manage. She had
cheerful smile and ready hand for them.
She trotted George upon herfoot, while Louisa
climbed upon her chair and took down her
luxuriant hair. So she,got along we'll enough
with them, although when it came bedtime
she often found herself so tired as to be una
BILE to sleep for hours.
And, on the whole, madam was well
pleased. The children never trouble herno
and that was an immense satisfaction, for
she was too indolent to breathe only as it
was a mechanical movement.
So matters went on for three months. Ber-
nice carefully saved her wages, intending to
put the surplus dollars away until she should
need them more, little dreaming what the
pear future held for her. Mrs. Rockford gave
her much clothing, which she was too idle TO
make over, and too rich to miss, so the del
lars went not out into 6nery, but we're care
f,,ll, otnrad IN Iitfln mltl Ia hoS
Bernice was developing into rich woman
hood, being nearly seventeen. with rare set
OF features, not beautiful but attractive. Her
form was an embodim' mt of sprightiy grace,
and her manners naturally agreeable. Some
times she thought Of Malcolm, and wondered
where he was. But she never had heard his
name mentioned save by the little folks, and
she did not with to question them.
One day in September, Madam, Bernice
aud the children wee driven into the suburbs
10 spend the day with relative of the lady's.
The estate was fine, well kept farm and
Mrs. Rockford made frequent descents upon
them, highly relishing the goodies which were
nowhere found so rich and nice as in these
we'll kept farming estates.
The children tea,ed inceSsantly Tor walk
in the woods, and mamma, to be freed from
their noise, sent them off with the maid, tel
ling them to stay away until heartily weared
so Bcrny, Berny, give me my hat; and
minc," they called. wild with delight.
The brown earth and the scent o piny
wo,ds brought the old place of Doyle Hill
and the irascible Dame M!dgc fresh 10 the
young girls mind but, coilent in hrr fier
situatun, the maid and the childen ran rare:
and shouted with n:ertimeut. Hercl- ar eye.
sparkled, fash upon fash, like mild dia
monJ shut under n soft, white lid. They
made chaplets Of The late flowers, and wreathec
all their heads with these wildwood crowns
Tired out at last they sat down. to rest ere
their return.
Towards the latter part OF this afternoon
they were returning, when a man bounded
over the s;ils close by them, and the cbildr4 n,
with CRY Of delighted surprise, shouted,
sc Alexis! Alexis r. and climbed upon him as
he stopped to receive them.
Bprnice recognized young Malcolm. Pres
ently he arose, and shaking himself much rs
a mastilf might have done after such rough
caressing. he came towards her,
"Ah, wel-a-day, sound the recall for the
little runians or there will not be enough left
of me to say good evening to you;" was his
address, striking his cap on to the back Of
his head, leaving his splendid eyes flashing
unshadsd beneath his full, high forehead.
lie held out his hand, but she did not
seem to notice tuntil he added,-
.What in mothers employ, and not one
word of greeting for her son y
she remembered thento shake hands with
him.
"Don't you want to know where have
been, and where Just row came from Run
on, rabbits; we will follow"
at is nothing to me where you have been.
You came from the woodland adjoining. l
saw you sometime bsforeyou leaped the stile."
he turned his face pwards her, spelling
the arch Of his eyebrtws by the volcanic
peaks which be throw Up in their centre, and
continued -
You saw and knew me?"
"Hardy. took yol for some stragglor."
"Strageler! Good Lord do I look like
a straggler7 Shades 4 Olympus, defend Us
ain direct from Old Yale, and have nv
shcepskin hcrc;" slappng his breast pocket
"and am ready to strt out in tho world.
Bridget. congratulate ne."
No answer.
Bridget-is it Briset?"
"Never," she lenghd "neycr Bridget"
"What, then ?"
"Bcrnice, sir"
"'Bernice Sir; whatan odd name."
"Bernice Whately substitute Whately for
Sir, and you will haveht right"
'"Oh," and be btrkl off twig of pine to
whip the air WITH
He was very nerves; any one could see
that by his manner.
"Wel, come mend pur pace, children. My
mother would be in fs of impatience were
abe not too indoent tir it. She sent me out
] L I thnn ON hnr nnn nnd rnn hi.