The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1878-08-10

and ladylike; and you are not pretty,
you know"
l shook my head sadly.
Humphl Well" she went on,
you won't be so giddy and be always
thinking of getting married. There
you need not blush like that; it's what
all the companions | have had seem to
think about. You don't, SUPPOSE
Il am engaged to be married, " |
said, hanging down my head, Gin a
couple of years"
"Ho! Well he mustn't come here, for
I'm very selfish, pragmatical old
woman; and if l engaged you-which |
don't think l shall do should want
you all to myself. What is hep
"A settler-abroad," | faltered.
"Ho! That's better; and perhaps
he'll settle there altogether without
you"
looked at her Indignantly, and she
laughed.
"Ah! know, my good girl. Haven't
lived to eight and forty for nothing.
How old are you?n
Twenty" l said, shivering, for her
rough way repealed me, and longed
to bring the interview to an end.
"Why, the girls cold," she said
roughly. Him, twenty! Here, go up
to the fire, and have a good warm; it 5
dreadful weather. There, pull off your
bonnet and jacket. Put them on that
chair, and go closer to the fire; I've a
deal to say to you yet, for I'm not 60
ing to engage any young person and
have to change directly"
| obeyed her, trembling the while, for
| was very weak; and she went on ask
ing me questions and making COM
ments.
81 don't like your appearance at all
you look pale and unhealthy. Not 8
bit like girl from the country"
4 am very sorry l sad; but, in
deed, ma am, l have excellent health
"Then your face tells stories about
you. You play, of couBe?"
Yes, ma am"
You're warm now. Go and play
something. Can you sing?"
Yes, ma am"
"Then sing, too; and look here, Mis-:
Miss
Twas about to tell her my name, bu
remembering the last rebuff | was 81
lent.
CHOW, look here, my good young
lady, how am | to remember youl
dreadful name? What is it?''
Laurie, ma am" l replied.
"Of course it is; | remember it quite
well. Now 90 and play and sing some
thing, and mind, | don't want my ear!
deafened with fireworks, and the drums
split with parrot-shriek bravuras. Sing
something sweet and simple and old
fashioned, if you cam" she added, un
graciously.
| crossed the room and sat down t.
the magnificent piano, and for the mex
five minutes | seemed to be far away
down in the old home, as | forgot where
| was, in singing my poor dead father.
favorite old ballad: "Robin Adair;'
while, as | finished, | had hard work tC
keep back the tears.
Robin A-dair," she sang, as
rose, in not unpleasing voice. "Now
let me hear you read. / always make
my companion read to me great deal
and mind this, hate to hear any dronC
like a schoolgirl. Go over there into
the corner of the window and stanC
there. Take that book; you find the
mark left in where Miss Belleville-
bah! | believe her name was Stubs
and her father green-grocer-left off
Now then, begin"
She pushed a lounge-chair close up
to the window and sat down with hel
hands in her muff, while | stood there,
feeling like a schoolgirl and ready tc
drone, as | began to read with falterino
voice what happened to be Thackeray'
most beautiful chapter-the death OF
poor old Col. Newcombe. | know my
voice trembled at times, and strange
sense of choking came upon me as
went on battling, oh, so hard to read
those piteous heart-Stirring lines! but
was weak and suffering, | was faint
with hunger and exertion, sick with
that despair of hope deferred, and al
last the room, with its costly furniture,
seemed to swim round before me, a
cold perspiration bathed my face, and
with weary sigh caught feebly atthe
curtains and then fell heavily upon the
polished floor.
| have some faint memory of being
lifted and wheeled in chair whose
castors | heard chirrup to the front OF
the fire, and then, as my senses began
to return, seemed to feel arms round
me and pleasant voice saying, hall
aloud:
And she just lost her poor father,
toto set her to read such thing as
that! | declare I'm about the wicked
est, most thoughtless and unfeeling old
woman under the sum-
Then there was the refreshing odor
of a vinaigrette, and the sick feeling
began to pass away.
IL beg pardon" l faltered try.
ing to rise.
81 beg yours, my DEAR" she said,
tenderly. "Sit still, sit still. Now,
then, try and drink that"
Some sherry was held to my lips and
then | was almost forced to eat bis
cult. They, however, rapidly revived
me, and found Mrs. Porter had torn