The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1877-10-25

Ii were your governess, would teach
you better manners"
GOOD manners don't run in our
family" was the serene response.
when reach your age I'll begin to
"But go on about Mr.. Kenneth - in
tersposed Mrs. Fleming-a matronly
lady, "ao loved her ease too well TO in.
terfere with the little passages at arms
between her daughters. "is he alone
here?"
"No, mamma; there are other ar
lists mentioned. One is that dried up
Mr.. Finnis, he's so fond Of
Who, by-the-way, is an artist of
great merit, - remarked Miss Alice, with
much asperity.
Well, well, my dears, we must have
MIR. Kenneth here for dinner. He is a
very charming young gentleman, and
a great favorite of mine. And we'll in
vite his friend, of course.'
SO it had happened that the two art
lists had been guests at the Flemings'
for an evening, which proved an intro
ductlon to much pleasant social inter-
course. Having been prepared to see
IN Mr.. Kenneth only a handsome. fash
lonable, self-conscious devotee of art,
the governess had been astonished to
meet one who seemed scarcely more
than boy, with all the ardor and en-
thuslasm of young life flushing his
cheek and firing his glance, who yet
| possessed that subtle refinement, deli
cacy, and dreaminess which mark the
true artist. Taking her usual place as
quiet, unobseryed member of the
family circle, she noted with increasing
wonder the simplicity and frankness Of
manner of this much-praised young
painter, this pet of society, who sat in
the center of group of children, his
face alight with interest and merriment,
talking as vivaciously as if he were but
a child himself.
That had been the beginning. From
that evening the sober goyerness, who
had thought her romance dead, had be-
come conscious of a new element in
her romantic life. Had it been only the
language of Carl Kenneth's dark ewes,
that had so often sought her retired cor
ner, or had it been the novelty of re-
ceiying numberless little attentions to
which she was all unused, that had first
gladdened the dull daysp How is it that
the barriers of reserve and pride had
been leveled so completely by this stran-
gers gentle courtesy? How had she
managed to forget that she was only a |
governess, and he the heir of millions?
she woman past the heyday of life,
he IN the very prime and glory of youth? |
All, what a foolish dream! And
now, awakened by that careless shaft of |
ridicule, she must pay the cost of her
folly in these bitter tears, falling on
cheeks that burned at the remembrance
OF her presumptuous fancies. Young
Mr.. Kenneth had been kind and chival-
rous to her, as it was his nature to be
to every woman. Perhaps he had been
kinder to her, out of pity And She
well, thank Heaven, no one would ever
know OF it, this idyl of dead summer,
this idyl that she would bury in the sun
set OF her thirtieth birthday!
Is it easy for woman to see the glory
fade from her life-to look forward
bravely over waste of gray, cheerless
years that brighten only as the dawn of
heaven breaks upon their close? You
who think it easy would have wondered
at Amy Cuthbert's haggard face as she
sat with the dusk gathering around her,
gazing out at the distant hills, and con-
that prospect of
Long, mechanic pacings to and fro,
And set, dull life, and apathetic end.
1t was late when knock at her door
was followed by the delivery of a
message:
elf Miss Cuthbert is not indisposed,
Mrs. Fleming would be glad to have her
come down. Miss Bertha can't sing
without her accompaniment
Rousing herself with an effort, the
governess was astonished to see moon
light already silvering terrace and lawn
The afternoon had long past, and merry
voices below told her that, as usual, the
Flemings' hospitable paElors were filled
with guests. How could she 90 down?
But mechanically she had said 's Yes''
% the servant-maid; SO as mechanically
she rose and dressed, removing as far I
Is possible the traces of tears, and say
ng bitterly to herself, as she cast last
ylace at the pale face reflected in the !
mirror, "What does it matter how |
ook ?'' ~ [
AHe hnaelSIIonl vi gay me suTSeu
around her as she reachad the hall.
Bertha Fleming, followed by a noisy !
party, rushed in from the terrace, wav- |
ng a book above her head
"Oyez! Oyez! Come here and i'm
,rove your chances. I've purloined
DIR. Kenneth's sketch-book-the same '
le refused to exhibit!n
The owner of the book, who had been I
unning over light air at the piano,
prang to his feet.