The Andrew County Republican. [volume] (Savannah, Mo.) 1871-1876, 1876-03-03
summer, and I had rather leave SO i'm

With this, as Mrs. Hepburn was
known to remain firm in all her plans,
Mrs. Harkner was forced to be content,
and the next week Mrs. Hepburn left
the city, without giving her summer adj
dress to her dear niece.
1t might have somewhat astonished
that lady, had she looked into the pri-
vate sitting-room of Mr.. Holt, the prin-
cipal of Green Valley Seminary, in the
early part of July, to see alrs. Hepburn
~conversing with that gentleman, evil
IDENTIFY upon the footing of an old friend.
Gentle Mrs. Holt knitted busily, speak
ing now and then, as Mrs. Hepburn
pursued a train Of inquiries.
eyes," Mr.. Holt said, in answer to
one of these, "lliss Seabright is an
orphan, and her only home for years
was the alms-house. She came here
first as an crrand girl, to attend the
door, clean knives and run errands.
But Mrs. Holt found she was starving
for education, and we took her into the
school. She well repaid all the efforts
we made to educate her, and at sixteen
was a pupil teacher, studying the high
er branches while teaching the lower
ones. Two years ago she took the
place as Mrs. Hollis assistant, with the
usual salary"
"She is well educated, what more?"
ga gentle, refined lady," said Mrs.
Holt; ga conscientious, noble woman!
/ have never met a girl for whom felt
more respect, as well as affection"
"Will you lend her to me for the hol-
idaysp am going to take a trip to the
White Mountains, Niagara, Canada, and
I want a pleasant companion. / will
paythe same salary she now receives"
"What a treat Tor Edna" cried Mrs.
Holt. "We will gladly lend her for
such a pleasant summer, Mrs. Hepburn.
Shall / introduce her now?"
She left the room as Mrs. Hepburn
assented, and returned in II few minutes
with u tall, graceful girl of about TWEEN
ty.
The first sight Of her face excused
Rob 10 his aunt's heart. 1t was SO del
icately fair and sweet, yet with . noble
dignity Of expression, that won the old
lady TO Rob's side at the outset.
A short conversation, during which
the lovely face grew radiant at the pros
poets Mrs. Hepburn offered, completed
the conquest the first look had gained.
As soon as Edna could get ready the
two left Green Valley, and started upon
% summer Of delightful travel.
Wholly unconscious of the close scrt.
tiny of every word and action, Edna
Seabright, with u warm gratitude, de-
voted herself to her new employer.
Though she looked no further than
TO the fall, TO break the pleasant com.
partnership, she made every effort to
tighten the hours of intercourse and
make herself useful TO Mrs. Hepburn.
She appreciated keenly the perfect
equality Of position, accorded her from
the first, knowing well the attentions OF
Mrs. iiepburn's friends. frequently en-
countered, would never have been SC
cordially extended had she been intro
as "my companion" instead of the
gentle words:
"My young friend, Miss Seabright.'
She was Of a sunny, bright tempera'
ment, and ever the discomforts of trave
lost half their annoyance in her pleas
ant manner of meeting them.
In the delightful resting-places where
they sojourned for a week at Il time
Mrs. Hepburn found all the we'll known
spots took q new beauty when shared
with her new companion, whose franl
delight was as pleasant as a child's tc
behold.
She dressed simply, ven within he
means, but had an artistic taste tina
made the plain garments ever suitabl,
and becoming, while her few ribbon
suited hor young beauty better thai
jewels.
When she found Mrs. Hepburn wear,
with a long ride or hours OF railwa,
jolting, she could soothe her to thI
sweetest rest by singing, MS she gent,
smoothed the silver hair, or caresse,
the withcred hands.
With all her train OF cringing rela
tives it was something new to the oil
lady to receive loving service. She ha'
made no further engagement with Edna
had held out no golden promises, bu
by gentle kindness she had won tn
girls warn heart to an enthusiastic al
lection.
1t was no thought of salary or futur