The States and Union. [volume] (Ashland, Ohio) 1868-1872, 1869-04-28
the sunshine of life he endured his
wife but he idolized his children

wife, but he ldolized his children.
"Poor Tracy, it's quite plain to Sc,
that he is net happy" said Leigh, tha
evening, as he was taking his east
within his cosy home circle. ts.That
wife of his is enough to drive maj
distracted. I wonder he don't com.
NIT suicidei'
And so some days afterwards wher
the, sudden death of Mrs. Tracy was
announced in the newspaers-ailment
disease of the heart-frst thought wa.
"What is lucky thing for Frank.
1t was scarcely year after Mrs.
Tracy decease, and the widower was
sitting alone in his study, when How
ard Leigh was announced
"Well, my dear friend l' was his
smiling salutation, t'what news do
you bring me :"
Capital news said Howard. ssDo
you know, Eve just engaged a splen-
did goverpess for your children ?''
Il am heartily glad of it the little
rebels are getting quite beyond my
management. They need some gen
tie, atfectionate female influence"
"And they will have it. This is
one of the finest girls I've seen for a
long time she has been teaching in
an academy, but thinks she would pre-
fer situation in some private family
She is all grace and gentle dignity-a
jewel of a governess !'
81 am delighted at your success.
When will she come to take charge of
my children S"'
''This evening. But haven't told
you the strangest coincidence of all !!
Who do you suppose she is ?'
Sim sure I can't imaging."
"Her name is Agnes Walton; she
is the same whom you took such a
fancy to in the days of her babyhood.
1 can tell you she don't know you
were an old beau of hers, else she
would shrink from assuming this re-
sponsible situation in your family! !'
Nonsense" said Tracy, half laugh
ing, embarrassed. "But I am sorry
she is reduced to the wretched life of
a governess." be
Nothing more was said on the sub
ject, and several times that afternoon
it recurred to Frank Tracy's mind.
He wished he could see her.
The gas had been lighted however,
and the little girls were safely tucked
up in bed, after having said their pray
ers on ''papa's" knees, before the new
governess was announced.
'Miss Walton, pray be seated"
He saw at the first glance that the
pretty baby had grown into an exquis-
itely lovely girl of twenty-five, with
soft tender eyes like Madonna, and |
sad, quivering lips. Poor Agnes
she had been so much accustomed to |
rebuffs and cold neglect at the hands
of the world, that Mr.. Tracy's chivalric
politeness affected her nearly to tears.
He noticed it he observed the delicate,
shy refinement, and the timid glances
from beneath her lashes. Frank
Tracy was great physiegnomist, and
drew his own differences from those |
things. After few gentle questions
he asked:
"But, Miss Walton, why did you
leave the Academy p
"The principal was harsh and unkind
to me, and the place was noisy. o,
sir, if you knew how 1 have hunger
ed and thirsted for quiet home
'My dear Miss Walton" he said
81 commissioned my friend
Howard Leigh, to find a governess for
me, but l am in much more need of a
wife. 1 think you would suit me in
that capacity. Will you accept of the
nome as a permanent engagement,
and me as the encumbrance there OFF"
Agnes Walton looked moment in
to his kind eyes, and placed her little
hand confdingly in his and said, 81
will !"
And thus concluded their extreme
y brief courtship. Yet when Frank
old her of the many years he had
secretly worshipped at the shrine of
MRS. Walton pretty baby" she
lidn't think it so very strange after
all.
Thus it was Frank Tracy married
lis beautiful second wife, and the lit
lie ones, instead of governess got a
whom little Minnie confident
y informed her sister, eshe liked
yreat deal better than the old mamma
Who was always afraid of having her
lair or collar disarrangcd, while new
mamma like to have her daughters
lug and kiss her.
And Howard Leigh was satisfied
hat his friend had married the right