Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1876-02-12
MES. HEPBURN's COMPANION.

btach yes. aud a noble vt Sysst fare $ AZ
IN her bouCo r. listening srayclv 10 the A.
mehsatiois OF her niece, 81 fu>sy. OVerdr es ed
WOnbb. OF hrfy, or tberpart GT-.
The older lady, heiT q Chii1l=sS widow OF
great wealth, was accus 5om To- receiving
frequent visits from her Numerous rela-
tlves. and beiDg called upon 70 syE1 patbIze
In I'll their troubles.
More especially did her present Visitor,
Jennie Harkner. make such demands upon
Eer time ana pafieLCe.
Robert Harkner. the only son of the fussy
widow, man of i've ty-two had been from
bis baby hood the pride AZ q darling of his
great aunt, and rosy visions of his inueri-
lance of all her possessions haunted his mo-
tier dreams. From q child the willy wo-
desired, aud from q child he had sturdiIy re-
sisted All attempts to force him into slsv-
ish hypocrisy.
IL may have been this very manItness
contrasting with the serviIe fiatterine OF IN o
others, that had first won for him ms aunI's
ahectfOn, and 1t Ia certain there was a bond
ofiove between them entirely Independent
OF bank accounts and real estate Feeling
mus, Mrs; Hepburn gave her niece grave at
tention when she said vehemeutiy:
am Ia such trou BILE about Rob-"
"TIouole2 Is he iil?"
"Oh, no; far worse than that"
on cannot mean that he is in disgrace!'
con no indeed" and the little woman
rni1ed her ribbons, as bird does its fea-
"What is 1T there" said Mrs. Hepburn.
y. Tn most unusual ring of fmpstlence in
her gentle voice.
He has fallen in love with a vulgar no.
bO1y, ard be declares he Will marry her, if
a the world opposed him! Oh il is lust aw-
iul 10 hear bin defy his own mother, as he
who is the girl?''
Goodness Knows! / don'tl She is a
'eacher now In seminary at Gresn Valley
orphan, he says"
"She can scarcely be vulgar If she teaches
In the Green Valley Seminary. 1 know
sm nan un Of me school, and 10 vulgar wo-
"Well, perhaps she is not exactly vulgar.
put she has no money, no family! Oh. Aunt
mar, mary, II you Will only use your influence
light, and give her up"
what is her name?"
iona Seabright; and Rob Is going up
holidays" 'A0
How did Rob come to meet herr"
"she visits at the Holmes place, where he
"H'm! Well, will talk to Rob, but not
now. 1 go away next week for the summer
Seu ana, haa iatheT Leave so important con-
w ith this, as Mrs. Hepburn was known to
remain firm In all her plans, Mrs Harkner
was forced to be content, and the next week
ner summer address to her dear niece
III might have somewhat astoni shed that
lady. had She looked into the private sitting
I3ona OF MI Holt the principal of Green
TO see Mrs. Hepburn conversing with that
gentleman, evidently upon the footing of an
old TREND. Gentle Mrs. Holt knitted busily,
speaking low and then, as Mrs, Hepburn
pursued a train of inquiries.
les, Mr. holt said, in answer to one of
these: Miss Seabright is an orphan, and
her only home for years was the alms-house
She came here first as an errand girl. to at
tend the door, clean knives and run brands.
But Mrs. Holt found she was starving for
she well repaid all the efforts we made 10
educate her, and at sixteen was a pupil
teacher, studying the higher branches while
teaching tie lower ones. Two years ago she
the usual salary"
"She is well educated. what more?'
go "a gentle, refined lady, said Mrs. Holt,
never met girl for whom [ felt more re-
speet, as well as Affection"
Nv Ill you lend her 10 me for the holidays?
lam l am gong 10 take trip 10 the White Noun
Jams, Niagara and Canada, and L want a
pleasant companion. L will pay the same
salary she now receives"
w nat treat for Edna!" cried Mrs. Holt
her now"
She left the room as Mrs. Hepburn as
scented, and returned in a few minutes with
a tail, graceful girl of about twenty.
Inc nrst sight OF her face excused Rob To
his aunt's heart. 1t was SO delicately fair
ana sweet, yet with a noble dignity OF ex-
preston, that won the old lady 70 Rob's SIDE
at the outset.
A short conversation, during which the
inoVely race grew radiant at the prospects
guest the first look had gained
as soon as Edna could get ready the two
LEFT Green Valley, and started apon a sum
mer OF delightful travel.
Wholly unconscious Of the close scrutiny
OF every word and action, Edna Seaoright
with warm gratitude, devoted herself TO
Though she looked no further than tn the
Iall, 10 break the pleasant companiOnship
she made every effort to tighten The hours OF
Intercourse and make herself useful TO Mrs
Hepburn.
She appreciated keenly the perfect 60 ality
OF position, accorded her from the firsf.
knowing well the attentions OF Mrs. Hep,
burns friends, frequently encountered,
mad she been introduced as "my companion
instead OF the gentle words:
my young friend, Miss Seabright."
and even the disoomiorts OF travel lost half
their annoyance In her pleasant manner of
meeting them.
In the delightful resting places where they
soJourned for week at a time, Mrs. Hep
burn found all the we'll known spots took
new beauty when shared with her new com
pani0n, whose frank delight was as pleasant
She dressed simply, even within her means,
but had an artistic taste that made the plain
garments ever suitable and becoming, while
her few ribbons suited her young beauty
better than jewels.
When she found Mrs. Hepburn weary with
a long ride or hours of railway jOlting, she
could sOOthe her to the sweetest rest by sing
ing, as she gently smoothed the silver hair,
or caressed the withered hands.
with all her train OF cringing relatives il
was something new TO the old lady to re-
celve loving service. She had made no
further engagement with Edna, had held out
no golden promises, but by gentle kindness
she had Won the girls warm heart TO an en-
thusiastic affection.
1t was no thought of salary or future ia
vors that Edna Seabright gave q daughters
tenderest care to the old lady who was Civ
ing her the novel happiness of a summer
pleasure trip. She was sorry 10 think OF the
parting soon to come; but she meant to prove
her gratitude by every loving device, while
she was s till Mrs. Hepburn's companion.
And RObt. Harkner, in bis law-office in
town, found no consolation In legal studies
for the Keen pang of disappointment he had
experienced when Mrs. Holt told him Miss
Seaoright was travelling for the summer,
and had no permanent address.
AUNT Maria OF, too, nobody knows
where" the young man thought disconso-
lately, $50 might as well go back to town"
Which he did, thereby receiving at the
earliest moment a delicately written letter
from Mrs. Hepburn, dated Boston, begging