Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1876-05-20
MRS. HEPBURN,s COMPANION.

MRS. HEPBURN's COMPANION.
Mrs. Hepburn, lady nearing eighty
wears OF age, but tall and erect, with large
soft, black eyes, and noble yet sweet
face, sat i'm the boudoir, listening grave.
ly to the lamentations of her niece, 8
fussy. overdressed woman of forty or
Whereabouts.
The older lady, being childIess widow
of great wealth, was accustomed to re-
ceiying visits from her numerous relatives
and being called upon to sympathize in
all their troubles.
More especially did her present visitor
Jennie Harkuer, make such demands up
on her time and patience.
Robert Harkner, the only son OF the
fussy widow, a man of twenty-five, had
beer from his babyhood the pride and
darling OF his great aunt, and rosy Wis
ions of his inheritance of all her posses
siOns haunted his mothers dreams
From a child the willy woman had train
ed her son to be all his aunt desired, ant
from a child he had sturdily resisted al
attempts TO force him into q slavish by.
pOcrisy.
1t may have been this very manliness,
the others, that had won for him his
aunt's affection, and it was certain there
was bond of love between them entire
Nv independent of bank accounts and real
estate. Feeling thus, Mrs. Hepburn gave
her niece grave attention when she said
vehemently:
II am i'm such trouble about Rob-
Trouble? 2. Is he i'll 20
s.Oh. no. far worse than that
sYOu cannot mean that he is in dis
grace?'
'-Oh, no, indeed,r and the little woman
ruffied her ribbons as q bird does its
feathers.
..What is it then p said Mrs. Hepburn,
with most unusual ring Of impotence
in her gentle voice.
He has fallen i'm love with vulgar
nobody, and he declares he VIII marry
her if all the world opposed him. Oh, it
is just awful to hear him d fly his own
mother, as be does, and such mother as
have BEEN"
"Who is she girl 2"
''Goodness knows! DON'T! She is
&c; cher now i'm seminary at Green Val
ley, where Rob has been visiting friend.
An orphan, he says"
.sShe can scarcely be vulgar If she
teaches in the, Green Valley Seminary. |
know Something of The school, and no
vulgar woman would be allowed to teach
there"
well. perhaps she is not exactly vul-
gar, but she has no money, no family
Oh, Aunt Maria, if you will only use
your influence with Rob, he may see
things in their proper light. and give hei
up"
..yEhar &c l,o~ mama Sr
ssEdna Seabright; and Rob is going up
again in July, because she has no home
but the seminary, and will be there dur
ing the holidays
"H'm, Well, L will talk to Rob, but not
now. 90 away next week for the sum-
mer, and L had rather leave so important
conversation until return"
With this, as Mrs. Hepburn was known
to remain firm i'm all her plans, Mrs.
Harkner was forced to be content, and
the next week Mrs.. Hepburn left the
city, without giving her summer address
to her dear niece.
1t might have somewhat astOnished
that lady had she looked into the private
sitting room Of Mr.. Holt, the principal Of
Green Valley Seminary, in the early part
of July, to see Mrs. Hepburn cOnversing
with that gentleman. evidently upon the
footing Of an old friend. Gentle Mrs
Holt knitted busily, speaking now and
then, as Mrs. Hepburn pursued train OF
inquiries.
.sYes,r Mr. Holt said, i'm answer to one
of these. s.Miss Seabright is an orphan
and her only home for years was the
almshOuSe. She came here first as al
errand girl, to attend the door, clear
knives and run errands. But Mrs. HOl
found she was starving for education, ant
we took her into the school. She wei
repaid all the efforts We made to educat
her, and at sixteen was pupil teacher
studying the higher branches and teach
inc the lower ones. Two years ago sh,
took the place as Mrs. Hollis assistant
with the usual salary"
ssShe is well educated. what more ?"
ga gentle, refined lady," said Mrs. Holt
"a conscientious, noble womanl / have
never met girl for whom felt more re.
spect. as well as affection"
.Will you lend her to me for the holt
days? am going to take trip to the
White Mountains. Niagara and Canada
and / want a pleasant companion. will
nav the same salary she now receives"
sWhat treat for Edna!" cried Mrs
Holt. 1--WE will gladly lend her for such
a pleasant summer, Mrs. Hepburn. Shall
/ introduce her now ?"
She lett the room as Mrs. Hepburn as
sented, and returned in a few minutes
with tall, graceful girl OF about TWEEN
ty..
The first sight Of her face excused Rob
70 MS aunts heart. 1t was so delirately
fair and sweet, yet with noble dignity
OF expression that won the old lady to
RObs side at the outset.
"A short conversation during which the
lovely face grew radiant at the prospects
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 scru-
tiny OF. every word and action, Edna Sea
bright, with warm gratitude, devoted
herself toher new employer. =
Though she looked no further than to
the fall to break the pleasant companion
ship, she made every effort to ngnten tue
hours Of intercourse and make herseii
useful to Mrs. Hepburn.
Shs appreciated keenly the perfect