The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1874-02-06
T suppose it is a very fine old place2,,

"And haunted, perhaps ~ mischiev-
ously put in Lettice, the roguish sparkles
coming back to her eyes.
$50 far as know, Easterham Hall is
Tree from any supernatural occupantsn
II am sorry for that" said Lefty.
he arched his eyebrows.
You would like to share your room
with ghost or two ?"
mo- but / do like 4 little romance
about the plaee-something to set it a
little above and beyond the level Of the
commonplace"
he did not answer; and talkative Lefty
once more set the conversational ball
rolling.
''The Easterhams are very rich, I sup;
pose7"
"Yes."
"I never heard of them until last
week, !" said she, musingly. "And now
how strangely things are ordered In this
world!-I am going to cast my lot among
them"
"How does that happen ?" said the
gentleman. He could not very well say
less, in ordinary politeness; and yet
Lefty felt triumphantly that she had
''drawn him out.n
''They wrote to Madame Moligny, my
old teacher, to select governess quail
fed to teach two little boys; and
Madame knew that wished for situa-
ton, and so here / am. / wonder how
they will like me ?p
'T hope you will like them," said the
gentleman, sitting yawn.
THAT isn't the question:" said Lefty,
imperatively. "Mr. Easterham is a
dreadful bear"
"You are acquainted with him ?~
"Oh, no. only what 1 have heard, -
answered Lefty.
And what may that be ?''
You are 4 neighbOr," said Lefty,
doubtfully. ''Perhaps | have said too
much already.n
He laughed with more animation than
she had yet seen In his manner.
depend upon it, shall not betray
you to Mr.. Easterham. So he is a bear?
Well, | have thought so myself, some
! times"
'tBut he won't bite me if I am a good
girl, and do my duty to the little ones;
and they tell me they are very nice little
boys" persisted Lettiee.
"They are very like their father, / be-
I lieve."
"Oh," said Lettiee, smiling. 'I can
tame young bears; il is only the full
grown specimen, with sharp teeth and
long claws, / am afraid OF. Only think, 1"
and 8 demure, apprehenslve expression
came over Ketty's round, blooming
eountenance, "he goes all around the
house, all day long, and never says a
word to any one"
"He must be a savage, indeed" OBJ
served the gentleman.
"And Miss Electa Easterham, the old
maiden aunt, who keeps house for him.
has quarrelled successfully with every
governess they have had," went on
Lefty, patting her little foot on the
rustling straw on the stage floor; 81
WON'T let her. I'm too gOod-natured,
and too accustomed to humoring people,
especially old ones. Madame Moligny
wrote me word that she disliked young
and pretty governesses particularly.
Now Pm not young-not very young,
you see.n
"No ?i
al was twenty last week" said Lefty,
/ solemnly, "and / am only tolerably de-
cent looking. Now, if madame had Sc
lected Olive Daytors, who used 10 be In
the same class with me-she was a reg
ular beauty, with great shady eyes and
a complexion all pearls and roses-there
would'have been danger then"
The stranger began to look Interested
Tell me more about your school" 4"
said he. Il have a sister whom think
Of placing in some desirable institution,
and should like 10 Judge whether
Madame Moligny's would be a good home
for her"
Letty's eyes frightened, her cheeks
Redeemed, and her tongue was lOosened
at once
Her travelling companion was social
and chatty, and the time passed swiftly
away.
"You are going ." she cried, as at a
lonely glen inn, overshadowed with
sllver-stemmed blrches, a light ehaise,
drawn by two milk-white horses, was
waiting.
II have reached my journeys end"
he said, courteOusly touching his fur
cap. 'I had intended to keep on to the
end of the route, bat l see they have
sent for me here. ! wish you every sue
cess 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
mueh," thought Lefty; "but what is a
body to do, shut up all day long I'm a
stage coach with eOnversable gentle
man ?''
And the rest Of Miss Mainwarine's
journey was a little tedious.
IL was dusk when they arrives! at
E.asterham Hall, a snowy, chill dusk
which made the glow of light through
scarlet moreen curtains, and the coral
shine OF a great wood Gre in a stooe
paved hall, as seen through the balf
open door, most oslightful and well
come.
Miss Elecsss tall, prim old lady. in
snowy cap ribbons and n brown satin
] dress GtDn1 raaAx- 10 I.
AEd just behind her Lefty saw a tall
geatieman, with two little boys clinging
about him.
This is my nephew Philip" the old
And Lefty felt as il the blOo.l In her
veins was turning to tire a. she recog-
nized her travelling companion Of the
day.
do | look very much like a bear.
Miss MainwaringY' he asked, laughing,
as she stood trembling and tongue-tied
before him.
'NO; don't color. promise Won TO
allow myself to become very tameabIe
And you must not cry, either" as the
tears came into Detty's eyes. t'There js
nothing for you TO cry for"
why didn't you tell ME who Won
were 2" she asked, piteously.
Lefty resolved within herself that sba
would leave Easterham the next dav
But she didn't keep the resolution.
Al the years end she had neither quar-
relied with Miss Eleeta nor Mr. Easter-
ham, aud the little boys thought Miss /
Lefty perfection.
So did their father
Lefty" said he, ''the year for which 4
/ engaged you is over"
ffXac ~ cl.a raup1pIoI