The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1870-04-11
A CURE FOR CONCEIT.

her face in her hands among the pillows,
and laughed and cried alternately Tor some
time. Then she rose, relieved and refreshed,
and splashed her face vigorously with cold
water, till she felt, as she expressed 1t,
"ready for anything
snow, Caroline" she said, solemnly ad-
dressing her reflection IN the glass, as she
smoothed her hair, my good girl, don't be
q simpleton. Here are you, poor little
governess, taken care OF, and loved and
provided for, and don't you think you must
have a very wicked and unthankful DISPOSE
ton to go OF growing and snariing and
cha6ng, like Miss Elton's little poodle, at
anything that happens to touch your pre-:
cious dignity? UGH I'm ashamed Of you,
that am Come in y
These last words wree in reply to knock
at the door, which. when Lima had un ocked
it, admitted Miss Elton and her drapery.
"Oh, II came to see this dress of which
you spoke, Miss Wynford, she said, putting
up her eye-glass with superoilious ar. 81
must apologize for my misplaced oficious
ness. | was not aware till this morning that
your wardrobe was of such au e1tensive and
varied character"
"Oh, don't name it," said Lima, br,skly
as she transferred parcel from her box to
the bed That's the Dress" she said,
spreading il out, at which Miss Elton utter
ed q faint shrek and sat down.
GOOD heavens Miss Wyuford, she ex,
claimed, "you never intend wearing that oio
yellow muslin Reslly--l-a-never- are
you aware that We are to meet Gil the BEST
families in the county 7"
Lima contemplated the deprecated robe
adniringly, with her head very much on
one side.
County families!" she echoed, shrug-
ging her shoulders with sudscious GOODNESS.
1--WE shall be awfuily bored, I'm afraid,
shan't we? But about the muslin. shall
have it washed. You see that's the benefit
of having an aunt that clear sssrches,' isn't
that the word p It's ungenteel, | know,
but it's convenient. FL send it to Peckham
Rise and she'll do it for me for nothing"
The sight of the muslin had already made
Miss Elton feel faint. The "aunt of Peck
ham Rise" finished her. Altogether too
Mortified to speak, she swept from the room,
vices. That misguided individual irrevernt-
" grinned, when the last fold of the lady 8
dress had disappeared
Poor thing y she exclaimed I'm afraid
she'll be very i'll after that Well now, let
me see. l think I'd better write at once to
to my aunt, and send poor dear mas India
muslin to be renovated. She'll be sure to
do it we'll, will Mrs. Brown
Lima wrote a hssty note to her old friend
and nurse, the ELECTROMAGNETIC up the
parcel, and went down stairs with an easy
and contented mind.
Not another word did Miss Elton condo
scend to say concerning the unlucky dress,
IF she likes to maze fright of herself, let
her" she observed 10 her brother. ''lt's
nothing to me Every one knows my opin
ion of the match = "and," she might have
added, perhaps l shall only derive add.
tional tustrs from the contrast But that
she kept to herself.
Lima, too, preserved distinct
silence concerning the obnoxious garment
but as she immured herself by the hour TO
gether in her own room, and when she did
come down, was generally decorated with
sundry snippings of cotton and white fluff. y
which stuck pertinsciously to her black
dress. we may safely conclude it was sin
hand Howevsr that might be, Miss Elton
few days afterwards, trium phsntly an
nounced that thank goodness, hers was come
home in time, an fitted her to perfection.
And she swept into Linss room with it on
-disphsnous, gauzY, iilusive and bewilder
ing; with tlutter of ribbon here, and a hut
ter there, and bud and blossom peeping
from every fold. And Lima sitting calmly
brushing her hair 81 the giasE-eyed her
with solemn occurrences between her long
brown locks.
well ?" said Miss Elton, with placid
smile.
An, very pretty indeed !" said Lima, qui
city. Sticks ont good deal, doesn't lt?"
Not bit too much" said Miss Elton,
glsncing compacently over her shou der.
Tour hair is very thin, dear?' she continued
condescendlngly after a pause. blow ever
will you dress 1t to-morrow p
''Oh, don't know, shall trust to the in,
SEPARATION of the moment. replied Liza, and
MISS Louisa rustled off again.
At last the moment came, Miss Elton and
her brother dressed, and drinking coffee
sat in state in the drswing-room, waiting fol
Lima
Il must keep her by my side as much as
l can, suppose" observed the lady, with
the air OF q MARTYR, as she drew her rich Der
mouse closer around her. For the sake OF
the family, it won't do to let her make q fool
OF herself"
We'll, said Elton, butsoning his glove.
II d on t really think she'd do that, but
supyOeS lOu re LINN Etic buc COmts-
Miss Elton raised her eyes in irrepreeiole
curiosity, and glanced towards the door.
1t opened, and admitted-not Lima No,
this certainly could not be Lins-the shah
by, demure little governess. This was
vision OF lovely girl, in robe OF the pur-
est, gsuziest muslin that ever issued from
an Indian loom; girl with brilliant eyes,
and flushed cheeks, and brown hsir-gleam
ing golden in the high understanding
in tiny curls all over her pretty head, and
half hiding o snowy camellia that peeped
from between. She laughed merrily ut the
bewildered faces of the two, and sitting
down, calmly poured herself out q cup Of
coffee.
Dent you think my muslin washed
well ?" she asked OF MISS Louisa. you
see was induced to cut my hair off," she
continued, land did it,"
Mr.. Elton rose and bending over her, took
her hand.
you'll be the prettiest girl in the room,
Lima darling" he said, emphatically.
" cure perfect Why, Louisa i believe
if l don't like her dress better
than yours !"
"Oh, I'm quite prepared for that, and for
any other Sights you may please to offer
me- said Miss Elton, crimsoning with vex
alton. Fortunately, | shall soon be able to
rid you of my unweicome presence. You'll
be happy when / IN gone, I hope" she add
ed, as she whirled from the room
"1 on shouldn't speak 80" said Lima,
gravely, as they followed Louisa ats un.
kind to your sister, and unpleasant for me-
Having arranged Mas Louisa's wraps
with edifying penitence, Gus placed her IN
the carriage. Lima followed, and they drove
from the house.
In the space of half an hour our little
governess found herself, for the first time in
her life, on the threshold of q ball room.
II feel rather nervous" she whispered to
Mr.. Elton.
"ub-a-don't be afraid, de ar" he said,
heep'ng himself as stiff as poker. "Of
ooasrFSse-a-coming with us is-a-amply
Suthc'ent passport"
Lima pniova3