Whig and tribune. [volume] (Jackson, Tenn.) 1870-1877, 1871-12-09

1 must beg you TO excuse me to-day
for
'Indecd, Miss Elmer, shall DO no
such thing" sharply interrupted
Mrs. Angel. elf you wish to be re-
lieved from the duties of your situ-
alton, beg you will say so at once"
al do not, madam; | do not, in
deed" faltered Juliet, growing
scarlet in her embarrassment and
modification. ''We could not live
without the money you are so good
as TO give; but l should esteem II a
great favor to be excused to-day; for
my mother is very much worse,
and / have no one to leave with
her."
81 am surprised that you should
ask me such a question, Miss FL
mer," said Mrs. Angel, drawing
herself up. "Of course / am very
sorry fer that worthy person, your
mother; but Pm not in any way re-
sponsible for her illness, ROr do see
why It should inconvenience me or
interfere with children's lessons
| They lost three days last week for
the same reason, and al their age
every lesson is of Importance. 1t is
quite out of the question, Miss FL
mer-quite out of the question, l as
sure yOu."
Juliet stood pale and irresolute.
"But mother is dangerously i'll,
madam"
Mrs. Angel turned a new page in
her book, and went on reading with
u face of placid interest. Juliet came
a step or two nearer.
''Afrs. Angel, l must 90 to my
mother"
"Just as you please, Miss Elmer;
only of course you understand that
if you go, you forfeit your quarters
salary. i dare say / can obtain plen-
| ty of goyernesses without mothers
who take up half their time"
The blood rushed in q hot tide TO
Juliet Elmer's brow at this cruel
stab.
'rMrs. Angell." she pleaded, with
a deep drawn sigh-''Mrs. Angel ~
But the lady held up her jeweled
hand deprseatingly.
II must beg that there be an end
to this alteration, Miss Elmer" she
said coldly. "You know how ner-
vous am, and that scene is beyond
everything, my aversion. Go, or
= '
my resolution OH the subject"
Juliet was silent. For an instant
she was half resolved to rush from
the house, never again to set eyes on
this hard-hearted, elegantly attired
tyrant.
But then she remembered the
quarter which expired that very
week, thought Of the many comforts
and necessities that the money was
to purchase for her cOnsumptive
mOther-the rent that must be paid
the little debts that were daily ac-
cumulating round the poverty
stricken home; and Juliet Elmer
felt that she was as completely in
Mrs. Angeles power as If she had
bean bound in iron chains at the
handsome brunette's feet.
She threw up her hands with a
deprecating gesture, and then her
face settled into white, uncomplaln-
ing pallor.
"Oh, Mrs. Angel, you are very
cruel to me; but God is over us all"
That was all she said, as she went
slowly away towards the school
room, with the strange mechanical
motion of one walking in her sleep.
How long the short December day
seemed How slowly the tiny hands
of the schoolroom clock NOV
ed over their dali Juliet could al
most have declared that they stood
absolutely still.
care you i'll, Miss Elmer?" ques-
toned little Nina Angel, looking
up as the governess stopped over
the French exercises book, "yOur
hands are so hot"
''Ill? yes; 1 am heart sick - said
Juliet, almost inVoluntarily; then
recollecting herself, she pressed her
lips to the child's fresh cheek, muir
muring "dear little Nina, may this
trial never come to YOU"
Nina returned the kiss with warm
childlike affection. She was fond of
the pale, gentle governess, who was
so different from her brilliant
mama.
1t was quite dark at five, the hour
at which Miss Elmer was released
from her schOolroom bondage; and
her hand trembled with nervous ag-
itation as she hurriedly assumed her
shabby outer garments. Nor was
the weather out of doors at all re-
assuming to her state of mind. The
snow had turned to a dull, driving
sleet, the paYements were as slip
perry as glass, and the keen wind
penetrated her thin wrapping with
its first blast. But Juliet was in
too great haste even to think of her.
self as she sped hurriedly along,
shrinking frem every passer in the
street.
Dr4 ebo ,o,,,o ,,,,,,os;ta q IrilL;apt
gas light, however, the roll of mus
ic slipped from her hand. She stOOp-
ed to recover it.
outlet Miss Elmer!"
She gazed, white and trembling,
at the misunderstanding young
man who had seized both her hands
in his.
''Paul Clay! can it be possible that
this is yOu?"
'Why shouldn't it be possible,
Juliet? My dear little friend, who
on earth would have thought of
meeting you in the streets this dis
NAL evening? Where did you come
from? and where are you going?"
For an instant, Juliet had been
back in the bright scenes of two
years ago; this question brought her
! into the fOrlorn present. Things
had changed, sadly changed since
| the people were wont to laugh at
! the pretty prosperous belle and
about Paul Clay's manifest admira-
ton. The two years that he had
spent among the palm groves and
minarets of Asia and Arabia had
changed the rich merchants daugh-
ter into fatherless orphan, who
earned her daily bread by going out
as ''daily goyerness"' ~
She told Paul these things with
quiet dignity, as he walked by her
side, carrying the little roll of mus
ic as deferentially as if it had been
Queen Nictoria's sceptre. How she
lOnged for little more light to see
in his face as she spoke!
''Why did not know this? Why
did you not write to me?" he asked,
in husky tone of voice.
1--WE did not know where YOU
were," she said simply; land be-
sides -"
Besides what"
81 had no right to ask your aid OF
/ sympathy"
Juliet, you kaety BETTER" he ex-
claimed passionately. "Juliet, if
had -'
She put her hand gently to hi:
arm.
1--WE live here. VIII you come
up?"
He followed her silently up the
dark and narrow stairway, with hi;
strong heart beating like a drum
within his bosom. She stopped OF
, the third floor.
, tJuliet, have YOU come TO this:,