The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1867-07-19
#isfellaueuns.
THE CRISIS OF A LIFE.


Vi Theodore Nelson stood In the centre OF
her room. She was doing nothing; It
seemed TO her she was thinking Of nothing.
But . kind Of soupdlcss voioe within her
keps repeating over and over again >ths last
words Mr. Gnnger had said to her: p J. 10. :.
"k Is an offer, Miss Nelson, which you
would do we'll to sive sOme though. to-" p
By.snd.by sho began to think Of tho time
at which she had first entered that house. -
Homeless, friendless. almost helpless, she
had applied to Mr.. Granger for a situation
rs govcrness to his litile daughter, just left
mo,herlcss. She had no faith that sho
would obtain the situation, for sbe brought
with her no intercession from others, she
had no introduction; aho possessed nothing
but her capabiliiy and oarnestness. .
She had been shown into the library just
at dusk. Through the gliinmer Of picture
frames and the, shine Of polished walnut
she made nut that the room was unoccu.
pied and sat down to wait. Tho faint fire.
light only showed how rich the place was,
and 1t was very quiet There was study
chair drawn upon tha hearth rug, book
open in tho reading.nck, profiision Of
papers on n table near by, and b watch tick.
ing among them. The comfortable ticking
Of tho watch sounded with the walling wind
beyond the window dnpery's warm folds.
She listened to both 10 o half stupor caused
by the weariness Of breasting the rough
weather. '' '. .'.'.
Suddenly, without sound, the door
swung open softly, aud gentleman enter.
cd, went across the solt carpet and turned
up the gas. Then he turned to her, saying
coureously: .... ......
sDo you wish to SEQ me?" n..
"Mr. Granger"
ayes"
She was impressed as never before with
tho utter gontleness off gentleman. She
made known her errand, and waited pa.
tienty under his kind but comprehensive
eyes.
Looking at Theodore Nelson, Mr.. Grang.
er though, that there was ono woman at
least, who had not thought Of his being
rich, eligible. 1t was relieving thought
after experiences no had known during tho
past month. lie said,- .
81 think wo will try each other, Miss
Nelson" 90. ....
The words were shock Of pleasure to
Theodon, she was 30 tired, the place was
80 restfil, and she was not sure where she
should lay her head that night. It was
comfort and peace opening before her, a
place where she could drop her burden Of
care, and be kindly enfoldod in an at.
mosphere Of peace. She did not know
that Mr.. Granger saw her eyes full Of tears
as they parted..o .r rs .. %
How much had happened since that
night? Episode after episode swept across
her mental vision. Tho first beautifully
served meal which she ate in the pretty
breakfast room, tho first glimpse Of Dom
Changers fair litt!o face, the dainty cham
Der assigned her. In which she could not at
first sleep for comfort. Many night she
had lain watching the play OF the red fire
light upon the white ceiling, unwilling to
go to sleep because no dream could be 20
happy ns the waking reverie. She mover
lost her pleasure in these things. familiar
as taste and luxury became to her daily
life.
She though, of tho first Christmas tha,
she had lived there, and Of the grateful
pleasure which swelled her heart when Mr..
Granger put into her hand tiny Floren.
tine watch; while tho next instant little
Dom sprang forward with beautifully cut
cameo-hcr gilt. Why, she had never had
a Christmas present before In all her life 4!
She thought OF night when Dora had
been taken dangerously III with tho Group,
and how, US If il,e child werc her own flesh
and blood, she had watched and prayed
with her father.
She remembered the evenings in the
beautiful old library, 20 quiet and bright
morning drives, pleasant forenoon study
hours, music lessons, given In the long par
lons, where Mr.. Granger walked the floor
buried in thought on agreeable super.
numerary. Ito had reused up sometimes
to sec what they were laughing ut, but be
was usually absent minded.
That his thoughts werc not always pleas
ant. Theodore came to know.
There was eoro place In his lifo which
he brooded over. At first she believed 1t
to DO the loss Of his wtfc, hut respectfully
as no mentioned to Dora her dead mother,
he never showed for tho child nor for him.
self, q sense Of great loss. In man fino
natured and tender hearted ss was Curtis
Granger, this was strange.
ihcodora did not know how IL was that
she came to understand that she was capa.
bic Of bringing pleasure to Doras faiher.-l
Hut she felt that no was happiest In the
evenings when tho three wcrc alone, and
shc was In the mood to laugh and talk free
ly. In those times Mr. Grsngrr would kin.
die into quiet brilliancy utterly alien to
him at all other periods.
A sympathy had grown up between them
which not ono person in hundred would
appreciate rightly. Theodon felt desire
to please Mr. Granger. With the utmos,
ffankness she consulted his tastes. Silent.
ly discovering that whatever bis evening
engagements were, he liked to chat with
her Tor an hour after tee, she made il a
point to bs at leisure then.