Rapides gazette. (Alexandria, La.) 1869-187?, 1873-09-27
A NIGHT AT CASTLE KEyIN.
THE GovERNEss's STORY.

.
My first view of Castle Kelvin disap-
pointed me exceedingly. had expected
to see real feudal castle, like those of
which L had read in Sir Walter Scott's
novels, with moat and battlements, port
cullis, and drawbridge complete. What
L did see was big, irregular house, time
worn and weather-beaten; so clothed
with liehen, moss, and ivy, as to seem less
the handiwork of man than portion Of
the wild nature around it.
But as some faces, at first sight rugged
and unlovely, grow upon us when we learn
to know them, SO this ancient dwelling
grew upon me, until found beauty in its
very irregularity. oh, modern architects
OF eligible villas and commodious eight
roomed family residences, how you would
have been disgusted with the amount of
space wasted in that great rambling man.
slOn-wasted utterly on passages branch
ing on to nowhere In particular, stair
eases by which nobody ever seemed to 90
up or down, and musty closets given over
to the rats. To those non-rent-paying
tenants were also abandoned sundry un-
occupied rooms, wherein they gnawed.
squeaked, and scampered to their hearts
content.
With one exception, found the human
Inhabitants Of Castle Kevin very much
like other folks. The Earl was common
place and pompous, the Countess was
commonplace and, fussy, Lady Wini-
fred No; L wont call her common
piace-my dear little pupil, of whom
was so fond. Still, / must confess that
there was nothing very remarkable about
her. Her elder sister, Lady Jane, was, on
the contrary, quite unlike any one had
ever seen before. She was wonderfully
beautiful; everybody owned that-the
men who admired her. and the women
who envied her. She could also, when
she chose, be very fascinating; but she
did not always choose, for she had tenn
per as variable and uncertain as the Irish
skies above Castle Kevin-and that is say
ing good deal.
During the autumn the old house was
filled with guests, whose gay presence
completely metamorphosed it. Among
them was young wealthy baronet-Sir
Hugh ShaftO-to whom Lady Jane was
engaged. They were to be married in a
few months.
The winter set in early, and with Sc
verify very uncommon In that part of Ire
land. One night, at bedtime, snow was
falling, and in the morning it lay several
inches deep. Winifred begged for a holi-
day, and signified her intention of con-
structing snow-image in the west gar
den--a sheltered spot near the school
room window.
"Not q horrid man." she said, "like
the one my cousins made last Christmas
with an old hat on and pipe in his
mouth ; but alovely, graceful statue. Pm
afraid the features will be troublesome
the nose, for instance; still the general
eject will be good. Hugh and Jane have
gomised to help me, and so has MIR. Car
Sir Hugh and Mr.. Cardigan were the
@y visitors remaining, and they intend
nlaying early the following morning. Il
n nken cold, and could not venture
uai; 20 sat at the window and watched
merry quartet at work. Snow is not
ae best material for statue, nor were
,sSaey very efficient sculptors; however,
ney succeeded in raising q figure-not
e1actly lovely or graceful, yet rather less
M gylcsuth than such things generally are.
ahen Winifred-the little romp-fung a
SNOWFALL at Mr.. Cardigan, who chased her
WIN cries Of vengeance, until they were
poth out of sight and hearing.
Lady Jane and Sir Hugh Shsfto fingered
yet awhile in the garden. What pretty
Iac tfttJ uldut one III 0tT scarlet
SioaS, the hood of which was drawn over
nei mead, forming such a charming set
;;,ns LOT her fair, smiling face he look
ing down proudly at her, one of her
hands clasped in his. Presently. with an
~non nn VI t9wnership, he placed the little hand
upon ms arm, and they walked slowly
away. The low murmur of their voices
Just reached me. All, how pleasant life
was was for them, l thought. did not grudge
Them their happiness but being quite
aione, and somewhat weary. turned from
me WINDOW with wistfuf sigh,