The St. Cloud journal. [volume] (St. Cloud, Minn.) 1866-1876, 1873-12-25

Mrs. Ashley was rather bswildered.
and answered, "CertaioIy, ny dear, but
it Is not usual.
Caroline began to laugh, and Mrs..
Ashley returned to the charge.
swell, my dear, 1 like Sir ster hen
very much, and so does your papa and
l baVe good reason to believe Sir
Stephen is devotedly attached to
you
This romantic sentiment was uttered
IN all good faith. Lady Dasbwood, in
talkiogto to Mrs. Ashley, had, perbape,
unlntentionally allowed her to imply
great deal more than was really the
case.
ooh dear me p was Carries mutter-
90 exclamation, "~he would be an
helress believe l must marry the
man to put an end to the bother"
At eight o'clock that morning the
sun bad shone on a very different
scene, our third break fest table.
1t vas very frugal meal. in q
vretched little house 10 the dismal
manufacturing town of NJ.
Mr.. Barlow was a hard.workine
curate, and his wife, if possible; worked
harder than be did. Still, IS they sat
at opposite ends Of their crowded table,
there vas an air of heerfu' happiness
round them, and the little room had a
certain air OF refinement.
Being a poor curate, I need hardly
explain that the eplthet ''crowded"
applies to children-the eldest a girl
OF seventeen, with golden brown hair
'od large b ue eyes; tho youngest .
baby on its mo,her's knee.
Mrs. Barlow, haviog supplied the
children with food, and comparative
quiet reigoing, took up a letter, and
said to her husband, II want to consult
you about Mrs. Dudley Barewood's in,
vitation."
1t should BE- stated that father and
mother would be too much occupied to
taIt after breakfast, and so, perforce,
ali affairs that could be we're discusse d
without regard to children.
MRS. Dudley Hardwood Who 10
she p
"Oh, William You must remem.
Der. My dear old friend long ayo,
Mary Merton. You know [ told you |
was going to write to her, aud ask her
if che knew Of any one Aimee could 20
to-"
"Oh yes. I beg your Pardon. I
had so much to think of this morning
Perhaps you would read me what she
Gays ; my class is SO early this moru-
Ing"
Mrs. Barlow read. <:
"1 am distressed you should think
1t needful to part with your daughter,
but, happily, I think l know of the
very thing for her. Mrs. Danvere, who
is a great friend Of mine, has two little
girls, aud is very anxious to have q
young governess for them who koows
French we'll. From your having been
80 much abroad this would suit your
Aimee. Mrs. Danvers is a charming
person, and l believe thu girls are p,ce
children. Would you allow your
daughter to come aud stay here on the
18th We have dance tor Mary's
birthday on the 2Uth, which l think
she would enjoy, apd I should ba able
to make friends With her before the end
OF the mouth. when 1 expect Mre.
Daovers to come to US, and she and
Aimee could see how they like each
other. Do let Jour child come, for the
sake Of old times. 1t would give me
such pleasure to be trusted With herr
"That is all about Aimee. What dc
you think of it?'
"Certslnly, she must go You woulc
like it, Aimee p aod Mr.. Barlow turu'
ed to bis pretty little daughter.
IL don't know, papa. No, please,
would rather not" And the large
eyes filled with tears.
''That is foolish, my child. We ar
Obliged t" send you into the world, ant
it would neither be wise nor right t,
lose this chance of securing you
kind friend"
"But the bsllY' interposed th
mother.
"One dance need not turn her lit,l
head. l think it would be pleasan
for her to have little of what th
world calls pleasure before she begin
to work. Aud clothes Z" grosned NJ,
Barlow, 10 despair.
Never mind that, though, my dear
if you really think she ought to go
I'll manage"
81 think she ought to CO.,
"Thso I will write to-day aud accep
for her."
Mr.. Barlow went off to bis work
Half dozen children we're sent out t
walk, 10 the care of each other and on
small muse girl; two boys sat in
corner, out of the way, With a Lati
grammar; and Mrs. Barlow and tn
two eldest girls proceeded to wash u
the breakfast things.
Talk went on over this occupation
Aimee fearful aud 10 terror of it all
Susan, the next girl, eager and bspp
at the unusual excitement; Mrs. Ba,