The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1871-02-19
NEW ORLEANS, SUNDAY MORNING FEBRUARY 49,

At last l remembered that the evening was
passing by, and must 60 down. I was Mrs.
Elliots companion now, and expected to make
myself worthy Of the ,Es226, per annum that was
my stipulated salary. -
Well dried a., ~ e. last ;sst s and wf fot
me, and coffee being taken into the drawing
room. Perhaps she sa& Fay red eyes and felt
little sorry for megz feg her manner was
shade more cordial, a16s reused herself to
that all that would b6reqnired Of me would
be to read to Mrs. Elliot, write notes for her,
walk with her in the grounds of Steephin, or
drive when she desiEe4 my company in fact,
adapting self to hsr variable moods as best
might.
"And do hope, my dear Miss Arnold" said
my employer in ooncl.sscn, that yon are OF
Indispensable that one Of my nervous temper
ament should not b. Supaet by the unequal
spirits of my compan1en.D 1t seemed to me
that no answer was especially required, GER
tainly had none ready, so received her re-
marks IN silence, and was very thankful when,
a few minutes later. chs bade me ring the bell
for her maid, aud sayfag mast feel fatigued,
And when had locbsd myself into my pref
ty room Thought thaA light as were the du-
ties assigned to me, Isgpid rather be house,
maid. For in my sass Esse woa!d be NO free.
such an existence would be nnbSerable. Butt
went to sleep verysoon amidst Ill my sorrow,
because was SO tined, and dreamed of home,
S S Tai a N anss and na. Sss sSe
bright sunshine ttrssmleg hto my room
aroused me in the .sarly mo2ainlgt s
To go through ~ 81 let no asst day, or
"fa sSu 1s ~ - VS. = pr sas of the
ting library in tie adjoining town iormed my
most constant occupation, whilst Mrs. Eiiio5
did elaborate woodwork when never seeheu
to get finished however.
Sometimes were driven through the
winding lanes and roads near Steephlil ny
pair of sturdy white ponies sometimes we
ing-calls at some of the neighboring houses
Int I would gladly have changed lots WIN
| any of the hard working women who lookea
after us from the doors OF their cottages. ~
was such q dull level life without any conSeh-
ial companion, without interests OF even
hope. .t.,+ ,etters
from the Dene. The weeks were giiaihg away Way,
! and midsummer 30 close at band that they
| were hacking and arranging for departure
Sad as it was for them, thought it happl-
ness compared with my life, SO far away. Ar
! tbur wrote me word that they had taken
small cottage, only six rooms but they were
pretty. and airy, and there was nice iittit
garden for Rose, and mamma seemed TO take
little interest in making all as snug and home e
| like as could be. Uncle and aunt Ray had lei
the Dene, taking Agnes with them; and sh nt
wrote cheerfully, and seemed contented VIII
her home, and the prospect of school-iiie
though she said, Nothihg woula ever w LIN
the dear old Dene."
How much thought of them all those las
DAYS !-how I pictured my mother taking
farewell of every room and its furniture nov
/ fancied she would finger Longest and iast
the chamber where our father died, aud gaz
ont once more at the white gravestOne in tn
church-yard! When the oath of June ha
passed knew it was over; the Dene empt!
| all Int of those who were preparing it for In
sale that was to take place All that dreadft
sale; how it hurt my pride to think ofour thing
being looked at, commented on, and tinall
knocked down to the highest bidder! no
hard il seemed to know that neighbors wou
It gather in those rooms the very rooms whel
A. 1hey had met before so differently, and ta
m with pity of "those poor Arnolis."
e. Mrs. Elliot complained that was very du
D. hut l did not tell her why !; felt she won
Nv not comprehend me. But L was learning
VI thence in hard school, and resolved to try ii
ne fulfil my duties, and earn my t25 yearly s;
49, And so the summer faded raway-th
IT, strangely sad summer. My home letters gre
nd gradually more cheerful. Mamma seemed II
on wien abe had buried him Who made her hap
ST. ness; perhaps l should rather say she "
striviHgsto be- content in seeing Arthur pr
til per and little Rose so well:
te- would not grieve her by my own sadne:
a. 7 wrote cheerf1lly and hopefully every wet
all dwelling upon the easy service required of l
en- and the Comforts of steephill, but saying no
on inc of how my heart cried out for love, hoy
her io5eed for q fond word gentle touch, tina
md might not feel SO lonely.
the Ia the autumn had a visit from aunt r
en- and Agnes-Agnes looking s quite fsahiona
,aiO improved, aunt said; but somehow she
aid not seem SO much my sister as in the days
St had roamed about the old Dene garden tSgg,
was er. We were good deal alone, for Mrs. Ell
5af a nm% to say to each other an
Nc conId talk without restraint and heard
,rs about her school-life and her GO companions NJ
Bit in return had very hSCie W WA VI S'eepn'
red Then came the dreary time when autumn
ded into winter, and the wind visited in