South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1876-07-21

scenery around her. The trees were al.
most destitute Of foliage. but the sun
was not moro than IN hour high, aud
everything Was flooded With iosy. gol.
den light Dew-drops were still span k.
ling in the sunlight, and the hills around
resoundcd with the songs OF many
birds. The air was pure and bracinQ,
and Mary felt very much refreshed by
her two miles ride by the time she
reached Riversdale, the country seat OF
the Rivers. ln atauisrl 1y3llo1
The mistress Of the house stood on
the piazza To receive the governess rs
the carriage drove up. As Mary alight.
ed and ran lightly mp the stcps. Mrs.
Rivers gave the little brown hand a
warm pressure in token OF welcome.
"Aow do you do, my dear?" she said.
81 hope you arc not much fAtigued by
your long journey. Come into the sit.
ting.room and take of your things"
The words were very commonplace,
but the smile OF gentle sweetness and
sympathy that accompanied them, and
the motherly look in the mild blue eyes,
won Mary's heart Immediately. Poor
girl. she had known SO little love and
kindness since her own mother died,
that the tears could scarcely be repress.
ed when the slightest demonstration Of
feeling was shown her. a..
She passed into the sitting.room,
which was served for Mrs. Rivers bed
room las il does in most Southern coun-
try houscs,) and proceeded to remove
her wraps. Two beautiful, rosy.cheeked
children, looking fresh and sweet from
the hands Of the dining. maid. were seat
ell on the rug before the cheerful wood
fire, turning the leaves OF q picture book,
and commenting, as only children can.
On seeing their mother, they sprang to
meet her for their accustomed morning
kiss, but noticing . stranger with her,
they drew back in shy confusion.
This is your governess, Freddy and
Ellie; come and speak to her. Have a
seat, Miss Delmere, and if you will ex.
cuse mt, Twill leave you three to be-
come acquainted, while go and attend
70 break fast" l
There was nothing OF the patronizing
air about tho lady that Mary had school
ed herself to find. She was treated as
nm equal, and she felt more at ease than
she had since accepting the position, as
she seated herself with Freddy on one
side and Ellie on the other. and began
the process Of becoming acquainted.
Were you on the cars all night, Miss
what did mother say was your name,
please?" asked Freddy.
"Miss belmont, brother, can't you re.
m, a pnhcr that pa ,b;vnaI -, L,ll;o
'Delmere," corrected Mary "but if
you find that too long and hard to pro.
nouncc call me Mamie. How would you
like that?"
ooh, that's nice |" they both exclaim-
eo Mt once. THAT is the name Of the
lady Uncle Fred told sister Kate about.
Don't you remember that day we over.
heard 'em. Filler He said her music
was so-so-I forget the long word, but
any way, he picked up her glove after
she had gone and found her name in it
just Mamie" .l.
Where did he hear the music, Fred
dy" Mary asked, somewhat interested,
for she remembered glove. she had
lost once. with the single name, MA
mie," written inside. The gloves we're
priced highly. being n birthday gift from
Alice, and she had its dove tinted mate
still in her possession.
"He heard it in a church once. think :;
not during services, but when the lady
had gone there alone to practice.
Mary had been organist in the little
church Of which sbo was a member. and
often spent an hour or two there all n
lone with her beloved music. 1t was on
one OF these occasions that she lost her
glove. What strange coincidence this
was, she thought, but said nothing about
it to the children, and changed the sub.
ject at once.
At breakfast. she was introduced to
SISTER Kate" the Young lady member
OF the family, and found her very plea
SAINT and agreeable. They asked her
many questions abont herself and her
former life-not in an impertinent, Gu.
rious manner, but as if they felt n friend
ly interest in her. Her arrival happen.
ed in the latter part OF the week. and
Mrs. Rivers considerably told her not
to begin her duties until Monday. and
during the intervening days to amuse
herself as she liked and become tho.
roughly rested from her journey by that
time.
Monday came at last, and with il the
duties that were entirely new TO Mary
But she set herself nj them with n brave
heart, and determined TO conquer all
obstacles. She found il rather difficult
ut first, but by degrees her embarrass.
ment wore off, and as she became nc.
customed to her duties, and settled down
as one Of the family, her life was quiet.
ly sweet aud peaceful. and she was hap.
pier than she had ever dared TO hope
for. Every one was kind to her, and by
her aimable disposition and obligino
ways she won hearts rapidly. Freddy
and Ellie considered her quite a para.
gon OF goodness, and were never tired
Of chanting her praises.
Beside Che grand piano which stood
in the parlor, and was devoted exclus.
"