Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1873-09-18
CHAPTER Nv, AND LAST.

Four years had passed since Mildred
left Waltham, he artsick of the place-four
dreary years of life as governess, partly
in a school, partly in the family she was
with now Her pupils--three little romp-
ing children, who had been playing at a
little distance on the sands-came run
ming up with some pretty shells.
"Look, Miss Hugo, we are going to take
them home to mamma"
She answered them pleasantly-the
children seemed her only friends just
now.
I'VE had better go back" she said, TAX
ing little Arthur's hand. The little Ital-
ian village, to which the family had come
for the winter on account of Mrs. Wilson's
health, was about mile from the sea.
She was waiting for her governess at the
top of the broad steps that led to the
house.
IL thought you were never coming back.
Is il wise to take the children SO far, Miss
Hugo"
"They like the sea-" returned Mildred.
"Ahi am afraid you spoil them; but
am glad you are come home. We ex-
pect visitors, and there is nothing ready.
Would you mind helping Marie a little,
Miss Hugo2 Ellen has a bad headache
and is lying down.
Certainly" said Mildred, pleasantly.
She was tired already, but she busted her
| self all the afternoon. busting and arrang-
| ing and giving orders TO the Italian ser
| wants.
Evening came and the visitors-Mr.
| Wilson's brother and sister in-law, and a
| tall bearded friend of theirs, whom Mil
bred bowed to i'm the lamplight, and did
not recognize until he spoke. Had he
recognized herr Mildred could not tell.
| He had chatted all the evening to Mrs.
| Wilson and her daughter Ellen, while the
governess sat by the table with her work,
casting rare chances at the dark, pleasant
face, SO much older and sadder.
Mildred had thought over and over
again what their meeting might be like if
ever they met again. She had never fan
cied it like this, without a look of recog-
milton from the dark eyes that had sought
hers SD often once.
| Next morning before dawn Ellen vii
son came into Mildred's room.
twill you get upy We are going TO
spend the day among the hills, and mann
ma wishes the children TO go. Will you
mind helping me to packr"
It was radiant day without breath of
autumn GOODNESS in the air. Mildred was
tired before she started, and the children
wearied her at every step. She sat down
at last, utterly unable to go any further.
The others were on ahead, laughing
and talking, Mr.. Briton walking beside
| Ellen, and making himself very agreeable.
II wonder where Miss Hugo can bes''
asked Miss Wilson at last, missing the
| governess. "ThOse children will surely
fall over the rocks"
miss Hugos" said her companion. us
that the lady's names"
"Yes-our governess. Where can she
| be-"
.'She's tired" said Susie, "and she is
sitting down behind with Arthur"
81 will go back" said Mr.. Briton, turn.
ing eagerly.
aDont trouble, Mr.. Briton!" exclaimed
Ellen, 10th to lose her cavalier; but he
had already FASTENED down the grassy
slope He had not recognized Mildred
indeed he had hardly looked at her, for
she was changed very much, but the name
reused his curiosity. Perhaps it might
He came down the grass slope until he
reached the little hollow where Mildred
sat resting with Arthur sound asleep al
her side. She was lying back against u
tree, looking down on the warm blue sea
her lips trembling with silent pain. Mr.
Briton fingered moment-he knew hel
now, and, looking at her, he saw she had
suffered even more than he had.
II am afraid you are tired" he said
coming forward hastily.