Smyrna times., 1875-08-25

an can quite fancy it, returned
Miss Burke. 81 fear am too late"
No." replied; al have seen no one
yet to suit me-
"If you would only try me, should dc
my utmost to please you," she said almost
pleadlngly. " have already been a com.
panlon, and | can give you reference which
may induce you to think of me;" and Miss
Burke opened small black velvet bag.
which, until then, had not perceived. and
placed IN my hands monogramed and
coronetted epistle, addressed to herself.
purportlng to come from Lady Montacute.
whose companion she had been for two
years, and who expressed herself in the
warmest terms, assuring Miss Burke, when.
ever she returned from the continent
whittier she was just then going, that it
would give her the greatest pleasure to
answer any inquiries in her favor: in the
meantime, Lady Montacute authorized her
to make what use she chose of the letter now
sent, ending by saying she was certain.
wherever she went, Miss Burke must be a
tavorite and an acquisition
Then followed letter from Rev. Mr.
White, from remote rectory in Cumber-
land, stating that he had known Miss Emily
Burke from her childhood. and coulI
certify that she was not only desirable in
all respect, but most amialc and talented
young lady, whose family were both we'll
known and highly respected. Nothing
could be more satisfactory; and after read
ing the two miS>ivcs carefully by the light
OF the lire, raised my eyes towards INV
visitor, whom found regarding me in the
most eager manner imaginable.
They are most kind letters" said. "and
as far as references 90 | am sure could
not do better. Your duties would be very
hslt-it is really only for the sake of com
panlonship that l require any one, as | do
everything for myself, but have been very
lonely since my husband went awav."
:" can imagine it," responded Miss
Burke, sympathizingly. 81 should do nv
utmost to cheer you
. You are very kind to say so, = answered
Should we agree as to terms when couId
you Gomez
Tomorrow, if you will permit me-" re-
Piled Miss Burke. 6 am in lodgings, and |
the expense of them is so great I should
only be too glad to give them np-I am
very poor" she added in low tone.
was sorry for the poor girl; and feel
ing | had been as prudent as possible in
perusing herreferenccs, and trustinga good
deal to her air of quiet respectabilitv. I
proceeded to state my terms, which were
eagerly accepted. After little converse.
ton all was settled, and my companion
promised to make her appearance before
on the following day. For the
rest OF that evening | was unusually medi,
tatlve: was pleased, and yet not pleased.
She was not altogether my beau-ideal of a
Although lady-lille and with
undcniable references, there was a certain
awkwardness in her manner.
Her room was to be on the same floor
with my own; and OH the following morn
ing | went in, short time before She
to sec that everything was ready
for her. 1t was October, and the weather.
was chilly, so desired she should have
fire, as | fancied, coming from wrctchcd
lodgings, it might be sort of welcome to
her. At one o'clock she arrived. BRINGING
with her small black box as her sole
luggage, which Ellis and the houscmaid.
between them, carried directly to her room.
whittier she followed them almost immo.
llately to take off her things. Iaccompanied
her, and remained for few minutes. tell.
ng her to join me in the drawingroom rs
soon as she could, lunch being ready.
She presently appeared, very much
Uttered by the removal of her bonnet. She
wore her hair in crop, a fashion Idetested;
md her figure without her cloak was only
'edeemed from awkwardness by the well.
made black dress, which had evidently
been the work of first-rate naodiste. She
wore no ornaments except a plain gold ring
On the little finger of her left hand, which
noticed was particularly large ceased
70 criticise her after we had been together
or little. She was so pleasant, so chatty,
md yet so quiet withal, that ere evening
came had begun to congratulate myself
'n my own perspicacity in having engaged
ler, and was fully prepared to indorse Lady
Montacute's opinion, that she was sure to
DC not only favOrite but an acquisition.
fortnight slipped quitely away, and in
ny weekly budget to my husband gave
most charming accounts of my companion,
which our everyday intercourse seemed
ully to confirm. But about the third week
1 something could not explain made me
AXE dislike to her. had not been very
we'll ,and her kindness had been unremitting.
felt almost angry with my
self for indulging in-a feeling | could not
help acknowledging was both unreasonable
and childish.
But 1t gained ground in spite of myself,
and one night as / was standing bv the
in my bedroom, which wos in