The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1877-10-11
"Pm afraid you won't be firm enough
sLIl :. : - Il l.

-
with my romps. Youlook good -natured.
Governesses are usually cross. or are ex.
pected to be cross, are they, not?" he
continued, with a smile, resolved to say
something.
"Thee can try me-" answered Rachel,
quietly.
At this juncture a bright thought
Popped into the ColonePs head. Per-
haps, if Miss Burns became an inmate OF
his house, Fred, instead of having his pref
udices strengthened by her presence,
might, through her influence, become
reconciled to Miss Gordon, and change
his one-sided views of the plain costume
land the plain language. 1t was bril-
liant idea; and his mind was madeup at
once. He would straightway engage
Miss Burns without the advice or inter-
ference of anybody. Singuarly enough,
his embarrassment took flight, and he
proceeded to initiate his fair listener into
the mysteries of the respective DISPOSE
tions of Jessie and Fanny, and the vari-
ous results he was hopeful she would
bring about. X -
"I think we shall suit each other, Miss
Burns" he added. If you are of the
same opinion, you can make yourself at
home at once"
every we'll, sir" and forthwith Miss
Burns drew two gloves off two small
white hands, carefully laid aside the
] drab satin bonnet, smoothed her hair a
little, and seated herself on sofa.
81 will ring for my romps, that you
NAV see what q task you have under
taken," laughed the Colonel, touching a
bell-cord.
"Send Jessie and Fanny to me-" he
said to q servant.
"The girls are not willful or disobedi-
ent; but they are mischievous and wild
as a pair of colts. Here they come.
Steady, steady, my dearsl This young
lady, Miss Burns, is to be your governess.
You know Eve been threatening a good
while j to; put you in leading-strings.
Make her your best courtesies, my chill
dren."
The young mad caps came bounding
in, full Of giggle. expecting to see some.
thing very amusing; but the gravity of
their father, and the gentle dignity. of
the "funny-looking woman" put damper
on their exuberant spirits. Laughter
gave place to seriousness, and seriousness
to wonder. They awkwardly obeyed his
hint at sslutation, and stood staring at
the newcomer with open eyes. lu5
The Quakeress arose, kissed Fanny,
who stood nearest her, passed her arm
around Jeesie's waist, and said, very
| quietly, but very sweetly, "I dare say we
shall be very good friends.s :
"And row." said the Colonel, placing
hand upon, each of the curly heads,
''tell the se-keeper to show Miss Burns
room, where she can rest until tea-time,
when ne shall try to become better ae--
quainted.n J j
Ten minutes aferward, Frederick Lam
bert, who,was sitting in his own. room,
reading, was startled by the entrance of
his favorite sister, Fanny.
ooh, brother Fred, have such news
for you I" she exclaimed, almost breath
lessly. "We have got governess, Jessie
and la real, live governessl We shall
recite our lessons to her, instead of going
to school. Shan't we have nice times2
Won't there be fun? But, oh dear, what
a funny.looking thing she isl Why,
| brother Fred, she wears dress of pep
per.and-salt color, and her bonnet-oh,
such queer one-looks for all the world
like Nancy's big four-scoopl And she
! don't stick out bit; and you know
| Fred, that it looks very queer, now, to
see, ones clothes hang straight down.
She makes me laugh, though I try very
hard to keep on sober face. I guess I
shall like her, for she don't look at all
cross. Father called her Miss Rachael
Burns. Don't you think it pretty
name, brother Fredf~I wish / knewn-
"Stop, stop, rattlebrain! You will
spoil my sympanum p exclaimed Fred,
overpowered by this flow of language.
"You talk so loud andso fast, that 1 don't
half understand diwhat you haveibeen say!
ing. Tell me over again, slower"
Whereupon Miss Fanny repeated the
general purport of her communication,
ending by advising him to be punctual
at tea, if he wished to see Miss Burns.
From this tumble of words Frederick
Lambert gathered that there was astran-
ger in the house, and that said stranger
was not communicating person, but
on the contrary something of a curiosity,
judging by his sisters lively description.
He sat down and mused until the bell
rang for tea. Ordinarily, he would have
gone Immediately down; now, however,
he stopped moment to brush his hair,
pull up his dicky, and consult his glass.
When he took his seat at the table, he
found himself directly opposite the stran-
ger. To his fathers formal introduction,
her musical "I am happy to make thy
acquaintance" made him start with sur
prise. --.,,.,---.-. ---..--
"a Quakeress p he inwardly ex-
claimed, after having somewhat blunder-
ing acknowledged her salutation. "What
does this mean? Has my father been
playing me trick! Is the fortress of my
heart to be carried by storm?"
These queries passed rapidly through b
his mind as he glanced at Colonel Lam
bert. The latter's face was as easy to
read as an open book; he saw nothing
there like q concealed purpose or hidden
plot; but, instead, plain honesty and
entire satisfaction. Beside, was not the
obnoxious Ann Gordon in Europe,
smoothing off angles and acquiring some
new means of husband. catching. The
young man lad no reason to doubt it,
especially when he recalled the conver.
sation of his father, which commences
our sketch. No, there was not peg to
hang suspicion on.
When he could, without incurring the
imputation of rudeness, Frederick looked
at Miss Burns attentively.
Her figure was rather slender and deli
cate, but e1quisitely proportioned and
very willowy and graceful. Her brown
hair was put smoothly back over white,
open brow, and fastened in knot behind.
A soul of sensibility looked out of her
large, liquid eyes of blue. Her com.
plexion was of that peculiar fairness and
freshness which is so difficult for art to
initiate. Her mouth was small, her lips
red and ripe, and her smile most at
tractiye. Such were the externals of