Whig and tribune. [volume] (Jackson, Tenn.) 1870-1877, 1871-08-05
TrnlE WORKS woNDEns.

They have known below.
i TIME WORKS WONDERS.
1t was one of the bitterest of all
December's bleak and bitter days.
The white fingers of the driving
snow were tapping sharp and fn-
! rionsly at the crystal surface of the
plate glass windows; the wind
| shrek piteously thrlngh the keen
and piercing air; and the thermome-
ter in the hall was rapidly lowering
its crimson vein towards zero.
ats dreadful coldf' unused Mrs.
Angel, as she sat with one slip
pered foot on the fender, and her
finger ornamented with two emersl
a dimond, and gaudy regard
| ing' between the leaves of her book.
"I'm glad am not compelled to be
out OF doors on such day as this"
And she looked eomplacently
round at the elegantly furnished lit
| tie boudoir where she sat. A hand
some octagonal room, its walls PAN
nelled in pink, velvet and gold, with
a heavy tracery-of gold vine leaves
around the ceiling by way of cor
nice, it had all the charms of ovel-
ty. The fire heaped high with coal
kept up a low cracking sound; the
scariet-winged lory swung to and
fro in the ring ofhi cage between
the curtains, an asthmatic little poo
die nodded sleepily on the hearth
rug.
Mrs. Angel herself was plump,
pretty brunette of about thirty,
a L. 1.IoaI~ %
brushed in the fashiouablet style,
awry from a square. low forehead;
and lips that, although rather thin,
were Of the brightest vermillion.
Her dress was an elegant negligee;
and her hands were miniature jewel
stands for the display of expensfxe
rings.
s'Mamal,
She looked up quickly, and held
I out her arms as rosy girl of about
nine. the facsimile on small scale,
of herself, came bounding into the
room.
"What is it, Nina. mama's little
pet?"
says, could she see you for a mo-
ment?''
at is ten O'Clock, my child; your
| lessons should have begun long ago.
tBut Miss Elmer has just come,
mama"
The handsome olive brow contras-
| ted ominously.
Tell Miss Elmer that 1 win see
her.
Little Nina tripped away to deliv-
her message. A minute afterwards
there was a low tap at the door, and
Juliet Elmer, the daily governess
entered.
She was a tall gracefully formed
girl, APPARENTLY about twenty-five or
three years of age, dressed in black
that had evidently hidden adieu to
its best days some time since. Gen.
orally she might have been rather
pale, but there was a deep, vivid
carmide spot on either check just
now, that told of the recent agita-
ton or excitement. Her eyes were
of the deepest hazel, large and IL
quid, and her hair was of a warm
sunshiny brown. But it was her
mouth, red and sensitive and mobile
that constituted, her best feature;
every emotion that stirred the sur
face of her mind seemed mirrored in
the unconscious movement of her
lip"
.I am surprised, Miss Elmer" be-
gan Mrs. Angel, after she had
recognized the governess's presence
by stiff inclination other head.
ssNine is your hour, and here it is
after ten, and not lesson commenc-
ed. Nina call your little brothers
and sisters Immediately, and tell
them to proceed to the school room,
sufficient time has already been lost.
She opeaed the book once more,
as if to dismiss the subject and the
governess together; but Miss Elmer
still stood by the door, nervously
playing with the shabby strings. of
her Grape bonnet
s.BIrs. Angell," she said, in a low
hurried tone of voice, II am afraid
l must beg you to excuse me o-day
for
s1ndeed, Miss Elmer shall do no
such thing" sharply interrupted
Mrs. Angel. ''lf you wish to be re-
lieved from the duties of your sit
uation, beg you will say so at once.
81 do not, madam; / do not, in
deed,v falteped Juliet growing
scarlet in her embarrassment and
modification. "We could not live
without the money you are so good
as to give; but shouldy esteem it a
great favor to be excused to-day; for
my mother is very much worse, and
have no one to leave with her"
al am surprised that you should
ask me such a question, Miss Elmer,
said Mrs. Angel, drawing herself
up. 'sOf eoursed am very sorry
I for that worthy person, your moth
er; but Pm not in any way respon-
kzible fof her illness, nor do l see
xhy it should inconvenience me or
interfere with my children's lessons.
TheS lost three days last week for
the same reason, and at their age
every lesson is of importance 1t is
quite out of the question, Miss FL
mer-quiet out OF the question, as
sure you.
Juliet stood pale and irresoiute.
ssBut mother is dangerously i'll,
madam"
Mrs. Angel turned a new page
in her book, and went on reading
with face of placid interest. Juliet
came step or two nearer
Z. Mrs. Angel, mast go to my
mother"
s.Just as you please, Miss Elmer;
only ofcourse you understand that il
you 90, you forfeit your quater's
salary. / dare say L can obtain
plenty of governesses without moth
ers who take up half their time.''
The blood rushed in a hot tide to
Juliet Elmer's brow at this cruel
stab.
ssdrs. AngelI.'' she pleaded, with
a deepdrawn sob-s.AIrs- AngelF'-
But the lady held up her jeweled
hand deprtcatingly.
SsI must beg that there be an end
TO this alteration Miss Elmer"
she said coldly. "You know
how nervous l am, and that scene is
beyond everything, my aversion.
Go, or stay, as you please-you un-
derstand my resolution on the sub
ject.n
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
auater which expired that verv
week, thought ofthe many comforts
and necessities that the money was
to purchase for her consnaiptive
mother-the rent that must be paid
the little debts that were daily ac-
cumuiating round their poverty
stricken home; and Juliet Elmer felt
that she was as completely in Mrs
Angelrs power as If she had been