The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1869-06-03
STAJJNTON VIRGINIA, THURSDAY JUNE g. 1862


dy, before mentioned, and Miss Augusta, .
very stylish and very affected young lady Of
eighteen. Her stock of vanity did not fall
shortof that possessed by her affectionate Ma,
and SO far as face and figure were concerned
| she was what the world terms handsome !; but
she lacked that beauty Of soul that shines
ever from true woman's eyes.
Rose saw at once that she was to be snub,
bed, but she had expected it. Mrs. James
! Mifin was formal, cold, and talked in measur-
ed tones; while her fingers toyed with her
SNOWY watch chain. Mr.. James Mifin gave
her one glance through his eye glass. and
then resumed his paper; while Miss Augusta
did not even deign to raise her eyes from
| seTennyson in blue and gold" which she was
reading
| The next morning Rose began her duties
as governess. She found Fanny and Freddy
dull and unruly at first, but patience and per.
severance soon began to have marked CT
feet, and the 1.-TWO darlings although they
had conjunctiyely made up their minds to
hate tsthat teacher" ION the contrary, in a
short time, began to love her.
Miss Augusta, thinking that the governcss
| might be useful in more ways than one, COM
| menced throwing off some of her chilling re-
serve, and found countless little tasks for
Rose to perform; who soon found herself
doing the double duty Of goyerness to the
children and Miss Augustus maid
Any one but Rose Easton would have re-
beled against this treatment at once, but she
submitted good naturcdly, and combcd Miss
Augustus hair whenever called on; assisted
her in dressing to receive company, and made
herself generally useful without murmur.
Thus weeks rolled past, and the governess'
| work steadily increased till she had scarcely a
minute she could call her own.
| It was beautiful afternoon, more than a
| month after Rose had commenced her duties
at Maple Hall, that she stood behind Miss
Augusta combing out her abundance Of yel-
| low hair, while she leaned back comfortably
in a large chair with feet elevated on fancy
| foot-stool.
sRose," she said, with slight yawn, stake
extra care with my hair this time, for | am
exceedingly anxious to look my prctticst. =
Rose asked questions, for she knew that
Augusta was in laxative mood, and would
soon explain herself. 9
eve expect company this evening from
New York." Miss Mifin continued. "Mr.
Hartal, very particular friend Of ours, wrote
Pa that he would be here to-day on the even
! ing train He was out last fall and staid a
week with us, and, Rose, he was just on the
eve of proposing when he left, and | am sure
he will this time. Oh, he is so rich!" and
| Augusta heaved little sigh, and then after
few seconds Of meditation continued:
| "And he's handsome too-real handsome !!
and am certain he is deep in love with me,
poor fellow, and can't be cruel enough to
disappoint his bright hopes!"
Here the voluble young lady paused to see
what effect her words had had on Rose, but
her thoughts were evidently more on Miss
Augustus yellow hair, than they were on the
expected guest.
Mr.. Walter Hartal arrived that evening
as expected, and Rose saw him first at the
supper table. He was indeed what is gen
orally termed handsome, and his kindly smile,
| pleasant voice, and gentlemanly bearing to-
| ward the goyerness- all the family
looked upon as an inferior-showed that he
possessed that true nobility of soul that is
far more worthy Of admiration than mere
beauty Of face or form.
It was the following afternoon, when Mr..
Hartal and Miss Augusta were out riding,
that Rose getting few minutes leisure ran
down to the music room to practlcc piece;
She was a fine performer on the piano, aud
| possessed a rich mellow voice that at once
charmed lover of music. Time flew by
| till the sun sank from view behind the wcs-
tern horizon, and still she sat playing some
simple old ballads that she loved so wel:-
She did not know that Mr. Hartal had been
standing by for the last ten minutes listening
ntently, and watching her pretty little hands
as they few over the keys with evident admi-
ration; and when she looked up and saw him
| she blushed in spite of herself.
ssBeg pardon, Miss Easton," he said laugh
ing, tyou were playing when entered, and
the music was SO charming could do moth
ing but stand and listen. Sing something
for me, please"
She commenced asimple song without hes
itation, but before it was finished she heard
the voice of Augusta in the hall, calling fol
her. b @ assa M
"Excusc me, Mr.. Hartal," she said, rising
from the piano, II am called, but will lin
ish the song for you again, if you wish it.
Augusta was in her chamber, and wantec
her hair fixed. sJust to think, Rose" she
said, seating herself, sit nearly come dowr
when I was riding with Mr.. Hartal. Arcn'
he handsome though and what do yot
think he proposed to me this afternoon
mind this is a secret, Rose-and we're to b.
married in the spring"
The goycrness checked little sigh that wa
feeling its way out and changed the subjec
to the latest mode of dressing the hair
| When Miss Augusta was dressed in man
ner to please herself, she descended to tn,
parlor to entertain Mr.. Hartal while Rose re
tired to her chamber.
| Days passed away, and whenever Mr.. EIar
tai got an opportunity he was by the side 0
the goycrncss. If she walked out with tn
children he invariable joined her and walkc'
by her side, and if she went to the music
room to practice, he was always there to lis
tcn. This puzzled Rose. for if he was en-
gagged to Augusta, as she had said, why di
he not stay more with his betrothed an
court the presence of the governess less fire
quently 2" She tried to avoid him as nue.
as possible, for she found that in spite of her
self she was growing to care for him, an
| her heart was learning to beat faster at hi
coming. But she made up her mind tina
she would avoid him, and SO she ceased to val