The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1874-01-23

LUZ hO NOu DiOO lllO II diiA
good girl, and do my duty to the lit
tie ones; and they tell me they ar
very nice little boys" persisted Let
} tice.
''''They are very like their father,
believe"
"Oh," said Lettice, smiling, "I car
! tame young bears; it is only the full
grown specimen with sharp teeth and
long claws, I am afraid of. Only
think" and a demure, apprehensivt
expression came over Letty's round,
blooming countenance, che goes all
around the house, all day long, and
never says word to any one.
"He must be a savage, indeed, y
observed the gentleman.
"And Miss Electa Easterham, the
old maiden aunt, who keeps the house
for him, has quarreled successfully
with every governess they have had, "
went on Lefty, patting her little foot
on the rustling straw ON the stage
floor; "but she shall not quarrel with
me. won't let her. Tn too good
natured, and too accustomed to hui
moring people, especially old ones.
Madame Moligny wrote me word that
she disliked young and pretty COVER
nesses particularly. Now, I'm not
young-not very young, you see."
"No?"
"I was twenty last week." said
LEFTY, solemnly, "and 1 am only toll
erably decent looking. Now, if
Madame had selected Olive Daytors,
who used to be in the same class with
me-she was regular beauty, with
great shady eyes, and a complexion
all pearls and roses-there would
have been danger then,"
The stranger began tolook interest
ed.
"Tell me more about your school,"
said he.f 81 have a sister whom [ think
Of placing in some desirable institu-
ton, and, should like to judgewheth-
er Madame Molgny's would bea good
home for her."
Letty's eyes frightened, her cheeks
Redeemed, and her tongue was loosed
at once.
Her travelling companiong was So
cial and chatty, and the time passed
swiftly away.
"You are going?" she cried, as at
a lonely glen inn, overshadowed with
silver-stemmed birches, a light chaise
drawn by two milk-white horses, was
waiting.
81 have reached my journey end,
he said, courteously touching his fur
cap. 81 had intended to keep on to
the end of the route, but I see they
have sent for me here. 1 wish you
every success and happiness in your
new task Of bear-taming,"
As the chaise rolled away. Lefty |
felt herself blushing deeply.
81 am afraid I've been talking too
much, " thought Lefty; "but what is
a body to do, shut up all day long in
a stage coach with a conversable gen
tleman?"
And the rest of Miss Mainwarings
journey was little tedious.
1t was dusk when she arrived at
Easterham Hall, snowy, chill dusk,
which made the glow flights through
scarlet moreen curtains, and the coral
shine Of a great wood fire in a stone
paved hall, as seen through the half
open door, most delightful and wei
come.
Miss Electa, tall, prim old lady,
in snowy cap ribbons and a brown sat
in dress, stood ready to welcome her.
And just behind her Lefty saw
tall gentleman, with two little boys
about him.
"This is my. nephew Philip" the
old lady said,
And Lefty felt as if the blood in
her veins was turning to fire as she
recognized her travelling companion
of the day.
"Do look very much like a bear,
Miss Mainwaring?" he asked, laugh
ing, asshe stood trembling and tongue
lied before him.
"No; don't color. I promise you
TO allow myself to become very tame
able. And you mustnot cry, either"
rs the tears came into Letty's eyes.
''There is nothing for you to cry for
"Why didn't you tell me who you
were?" she asked, piteously.
because you never asked me-"
Lefty resolved within herself that
she would leave Easterham the next
lay.
But she didn't keep the resolution.
At the years end She had neither
luaITelled with Miss Electa, nor Mr..
lasterham, and the little boys thought
Miss Lefty was perfection.
So did their father.
"Letty," said he, "the year for
which 1 engaged you is over"
eyes" she responded softly.
"Will you stay anotheryear? VIII
'ou stay with me always, Letty?"
And SO within the shrine of we'd
ling ring, Lefty found herself pris-
f 4