Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-08-16
LContInned from first nnro. 1

open streets lined on either side with old
fashioned residences, and passed on quite
into the suburbs. AT last we reached a
large, rambling mansion. standing on a
little eminenoe. not far back from the
street, but with the grounds so thickly
shaded by pine trees that one could only
catch glimpses of the roof and gables;
and back of the house rose considerable
height covered with dense pine grove.
This is Pine Hill. said the gentleman.
suddenly.
"Who shall I tell my-Mrs. Lothrop
wishes to see her ?' said the gentleman,
suddenly.
So there was Mrs. Lothrop--the
mother no doubt of this gentleman who
had engaged my services; that was not
pleasant hearing speaking as a governess,
accustomed to the charge of children, |
must be permitted to say that grandmoth-
ers are usually Il disturbing element in a
growing family.
II am Miss Howell-Miss Mary
Howell" said "the governess Mr.. Lo-
throp engaged through Messrs. Wakely,
for the children"
"Governess-childre - the bashlul
man groaned, then seemed utterly dazed
by his own words. He turned round and
round like a top for some seconds i
should be sorry to have any person sap
pose me capable OF exaggeratlon, but
think j am not overstating the matter.
Then he suddenly opened door and
motioned me to pass; | did, and found
myself in a large room quite dark to me
coming in from the sunlight because the
curtains were drawn.
"Annabella!' called my eccentric con-
ductor. "Annabella ~ There was no
answer: third time-and now his voice
was almost a shriek-he cried despairing-
ly. .Annabella!'
In the dimness | saw female figure |
start up on sofa and this figure eX-
claimed in angry accents:
Good Lord, is the house on fire ?n
THAT is Mrs. Lothrop." moaned the
bashful man, turning TO me. Then he
danced toward the sofa, and quavered: |
"Annabella, here is Miss Howell, and !
am afraid there is some mistake. She
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
"Children-governess I" doomed the
yoice-and it sounded like an alarm bell
in my ears. "Aliss Howell-John Moul-
ton, you are mad-you were always
cracked-but now you are mad-raving y
The unfortunate gentleman spun round
three times with greater velocity, and then
absolutely ran out of the room-ran out
and shut the door-and then | was alone
with that base-voiced lady | could see
her plainly now: tall gaunt woman,
who had once evidently been a great
beauty of naughty, imperous sort; was
handsome still, though she looked in poor
health. and was far past middle age, !
and had cap ribbons of more vivid
hue than could think fitting, and-I do
not wish TO be censorious-but if | ever
saw rouge in my life, saw it in the hol- !
lows of that elderly lady's cheeks. !
There she sat and glared at me; can
employ no other word glared at me with |
her great black eyes, and felt as il | had
the nightmare. Then she waved her hand. |
"Now what in the name OF goodness
does all this mean Pr
Madame" | said as firmly as | could |
speak. 81 am the person engaged by Mr..
Lothrop as governess tpr his two children
stopped, for heard her mutter: $50,
John Mouton was not so mad as thought |
then the woman must be Somebody is |
mad, know"
A speech, which any unprecedented per- !
one for me TO hear, under the circum-
stances. Then she added, in a tone meant
for my ears-'In the first place there is |
no Mr.. Lothrop in this house-nor any
where else that know of, short of heaven
at least l hope he has gone there
though can tell him one thing, his dis
senting. Calvinistic ideas of the place
wouldn't suit me--but that is not to the
point! There are no chldren-as how
should there be, unless John Moulton is
profligate uuder all his meekness-so
there can be no governess-unless he
wants one-Tm sure | don't"
BY this time was so completely I'M
nerved that l stammered; "Oh, / don't
know what it means | am Miss Howell
sent from Messrs. Wakely-I have made
a long journey-I-"
Continued tomorrow