The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1876-03-23

1
creature, her present misery brought his
feelings to climax. He took posses
sion of her, bade her consider herself
bis promised wife, and with many ten
der assurances and several kisses on the
trembling lips, vowed she should never
know care or trouble again. Then he
put the new turquois ring on her finger,
and as the diamond initial was 81, little
Hattie did not know it had been first in
tended to signify Helen.
Edward was no hypocrite, but he was
angry with his aunt and cousin, and so
he went away to town and did not oon-
fide to these ladies the news of his en-
gagement; and Hattie had little induce
ment for confidence on her part.
Mrs. Langley believed Edward to be
really attached to Helen, and so he had
been, and was still to certain extent;
she made no effort to keep him, there
fore, feeling sure that he would soon re-
turn of his own accord, and she was
quite rs we'll pleased to have him away
from the house during Hattie's last
days there, for she felt convinced his
only danger from that quarter was in
constant association. Hattie was dan
gerous girl to have in the same house
with young man of Edwards dispo-
sition-she was such a sweet, pretty
looking, babylike thing, and he was SO
good aud kind and generous. AS for
the little governess, her behavior was
perfect, AID Mrs. Langley's heart smote
her often, and she determined to do her
best for Miss Thorpe, who took her dis
missal so well, and went about her
duties sadly and quietly, with such
sweetness and gentfeness toward her
young pupils.
"Whatever I can do, Miss Thorpe,
you must command me-" said Mrs.
Langley, on the morning she paid the
young girls wages. eff You should
need reference, you know -
81 would send to you, madam, and
you would say 1 was thief" Hattie
interrupted, bitterly.
81 would do nothing of the sort,
Miss Thorpe" and a faint blush tinged
the lady's pale cheek; "but il you
choose to be impertinent -
81 have no such intention, madam;
and for your favor 1 thank you, but L
don't think L shall require it."
The color on Mrs, Langleys cheek
deepened to an angry red; she bade
her little governess "Good morning"
stiffiy enough, feeling justly aggrieved;
and so soon as they were alone she re-
marked to Miss Langley that such were
lady's thanks for trying to be kind to
THAT sort of person."
Hattie said, "Good morning, Miss
Helen," kissed Artie and Louis, who set
up an ear-pierciug wall at losing her, and
then walked quietly away, leaving her
modest little box to be sent after her.
At the New York terminus she was
met by Mr.. Edward Montague, and
the two got into close carriage, We're
| speedily driven to the house of cleri-
cal friend, and in ten minutes more were
pronounced man and wife.
Edward had now been absent from his
aunt's for nearly a week, and the good
lady was getting anxious for his speedy
return. She was consulting with Mr..
Langley on the expediency of sending
him word to come back and finish his
visit, when letter was placed in her
I hands. The envelope was very elegant
and betrayed the nature of its contents
at once. Mother and daughter smiled,
and Mrs. Langley said, breaking the
seal: 81 wonder what two turtle doves
have paired now p
A couple of cards dropped out that
solved the question at once, and not to
Mrs. Langley's satisfaction, for she be-
came very pale. She silently passed the
cards to Miss Langley.
81 told you so, mamma-the cum
ming, deceitful little mink !" and the
young lady flung aside the harmless bits
of pasteboard as if they had burned
| her.
Nelly! Nelly here's your ring p
and Artie and Louis burst into the room
with shouts of triumph. Where dc
you think we found itl Why, Grip, the
crow, stole it, and we found it in nest
of his, with lots of other things. Aint
you glad to get it9"
Miss Helen dropped the ring at he,
feet. and stamped viciously on it.
~ wish to Heaven 1 had never seer
It'll" she said. Lucky, indeed But
for that miserable turquois ring I would
have been his wife now"