Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1878-01-04


legions that followed, | cannot attempt
n detailed description. BY the after
noon, was thoroughly exhausted, and
made up my mind to see no more,
when, just rs it was getting dusk, my
servant came UP to the drawing-room
and Informed me that such nice-look-
ing young lady was in the dining-room
quite the incest that had been yet.
Ask her to come up stairs, then,
Ellis, but do not admit any one else,
replied, and the next minute the
drawing-room door was thrown open
by Ellis, and Miss Burke" was an
nounced.
She was dressed in mourning, and
even in the dim light, was, could see,
Il pale-faeed, rather handsome girl of
apparently about -four and twenty Her
height was over the average, but seemed
greater from her extreme thinneSs
which struck me rs almost striking.
Good evening" she said, in II low and
rather pleasant voice. =" | am afraid
am very late; it was 50 kind Of you to
see me.
1t is late, assented, but that does
not matter.
Thank you, responded my visitor,
came about your adv ycrtisenlent-l
saw you wanted u companion, and |
am anxious to set situation Of that
kind.
81 have had so many applications to-
day. | answered, for want of some
thing better to say.
"Ahl can quite fancy il, returned
Miss Burke. - Tear am too late2'
"No,' replied; - have seen no one
yet to suit me-"
"lf you would only try me, should
do my utmost to please YOU" she said
almost plcadingly. :" have already
been Il companion, and | can give you
references which may induce you to
think of me-" and Miss Burke opened n
small black velvet bag, which until then
had not perceived and placed in my
hands Il monogramed and coroneted
epistle, addressed to herself, purporting
TO come from Lady Montacutc, whose
companion She had been for two years,
and who expressed herself in the warm
est terms, assuring Miss Burke, when
ever she returned from the continent,
whittier she was Just then going, that it
would give her the greatest pleasure to
answer amy inquiries i'll her favor; in
the meantime, Lady Montacute author
lied her to make what use she chose of
the letter now sent, ending by saying
She was certain, wherever She went,
| Miss Burke must be favoritC and an
acquisition.
THAT followed letter from Rev. Mr..
| White, from Il remote rcctOry IN Cum
| bcrland, stating that he had known Miss
Emily Burke from her childhood. and
could certify that she was not only de
sirable in all respects, but most amiable
and talented young lady, whose family
were both we'll known and highly re-
spccted Nothing could be more salts
factory; and after reading the two mis-
sivcs carefully by the light Of the fire,
raised my eyes toward my visitor, whom
found regarding me III the most eager
manner imaginable.
"They are most kind letters said.
'and 80 far Us references 90, am sure
could do no better Your duties would
be very light-it is really only for the
sake of companlonshir that | require
any one,'as do everything for myself,
but have been very lonely since my
! husband went away.
~ can imagine it. responded Miss
Burke sympathizingly should do
my utmost to cheer you.
You are very kind TO say SO, am
swcrcd. Should we agree aS to terms,
when could YOU Gomez
Tomorrow, if you will permit me, :"
replied Miss Burke am III lodgings,
and the expense Of them is SO great that
| should be only too glad to give them
up--l am very poor" she added in y
| low tone.
was sorry for the poor girl, and feel
ing | had been us prudent as possible in
| perusng her references, and trusting n
good deal to her air of quiet respectable
4 ity, proceeded to state my terms, which
We're eagerly accepted. After 4 little
conversation, all was settled, and my
companion promised to make her APP
pcaranee on the following day. For the
rest of that evening was unusually
mcditative; | was pleased, and yet not
| pleased. She was not altogether my
beau ideal Of d companion Although
ladvlike, and with undcniablc refer
ences, there was certain awkwardncss
! in her manner.
Her room was to be on the same floor
with my own; and Oh the following
morning went III, 4 short time before
she arrived, to see that everything was
ready for her. 1t WAS October, and the
weather was chilly, 50 desired that she
4 should have i fire, as | fancied, coming
from Wrctched lodgings il might be N
sort of welcome to her. AT o'clock
She arrived. bringing with her Il small
black box as her sole luggage, which
Ellis and the housemaid, between them,