The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1878-01-17

there, on account OF my nealtn, tney
said. All these solicitations tried to
decline with tirmness. but it was the
merest scmblance of firmness, rs each
time their wishes were gratified, wher
my father, having been appealed to-
would say, ''My daughter. you must
try to take care of your health" Lit
| tie did | dream of the baseness of theil
treachery, or would have loathed even
the sight of their sable garments, in
which they delighted to array them
selves, knowing full well that theil
beauty was greatly enhanced thereby
The first intimation had of their per.
tidy came to me in letter from Mr.
Clifford. In it he said he was so glad
l was trying to bear my loss SO we'll
and that he thought my plan of driv.
ing out SO often was very good one
only he envied the handsome Young
gentlemen who were my companions
| knew there was something he wished
to conceal behind his pleasant raillery
but. when questioned my father as tc
what he had written concerning me,
found that none but the briefest COM
munications had passed between them
and entirely of business nature.
sat down and wrote Il long letter tC
Mr.. Clifford. telling him all my
troubles, and asking his advice with re-
gard to going from home for time to
be rid of the annOyances of these ma.
neuvering women. waited long and
anNiously for an answer, but none came
After weeks passed appealed to my
father for Il solution of the mystery
He took my hand in his and said: my
daughter. fear your idol is but clay
"Whatr' exclaimed, edo you mean
to insinuate that he who was SO soon to
have been my husband is false to me?''
Il do he said eff his repeated
avowals of love to Miss Kate is any in
dication. have wished to tell you OF
it for some time, but her mother
thought it best not to do so YETI
Her mother! l saw it all now. The
cards were in the hands of skillful
PLAYERS. had been more than blind.
While my father had been petted and
courted by this scheming widow, the
daughter had been trying to steal from
me the affections of him whom had
looked upon as too good, too noble to
era perfect god among men.
You know my disposition too well to
think would swoon or cry out in nv
agony. I merely said. Il am very
sorry YOU did not tell me of this
soOner'
went up to my room, and for hours
none but God knew what l suffered.
prayed, as l never prayed before, that
might be upheld by that Unseen Power
which alone avails in such a time of
need. came down strengthened for
the trials that awaited me. told my
father if he loved or cared for me in the
least never to allow anyone to know
aught of our conversation. He gave
me his promise, and l was satisfied.
was determined that by no outward
sign should anyone suspect the truth,
SO went among them all as usual, at
tending to the duties enjoined upon me
with more than my usual cheerfulness.
The days passed one by one, and
neither saw nor heard from him for
whom my heart was breaking. Icould
endure it no longer. l must get away
from that intolerable place or die. l
inserted short notice in one of the
daily papers asking for the position of
governess in some family remote from
the city. soon had numberless an
swers, but none pleased me so much as
one from lady in small town about
thirty miles away, who asked that |
might come Immediately to take charge
of her two children.
l had told my father of my intention,
SO l had nothing to do but make my ar
engagements to leave as soon as could
pack my trunks. Into one l carefully
folded away the beautiful white silk
garments in which was to have been
clothed on my bridal-day. The pearl
necklace and bracelets, gift from one
who was to be henceforth nameless to
me, 1 carefully placed within the folds
of the rich lace, and closing the lid,
locked them all away from my sight
forever. In another trunk l put all
that l most desired belonging to my
mother: this l sent to the house of a
friend; in another one l put all the
clothes that l should need, together with
my jewelry.
/ was so glad to know that l was real
ly going that could scarcely wait I'M
til the coach in which l was to perform
the journey should arrive. When at
last l was ready to 60 l simply said
good-by, and that was all. My father
felt far more than he betrayed, but
still l knew he did not regret my going
as would have wished. l forgave
him, however, and was gone. 1 saw
but little of the country through which
we passed; but think it was beauti-
full, Judging from the EXPLANATIONS of
surprise and pleasure indulged in by
my fellow-travelers. My heart was
too full of sorrow, and my eyes too full
of tears, to see or care for anything.
Toward night rain began to fall, first
very softly and slowly, but ere we
reached our destination it came down
almost in torrents. 1 fully expected a
carriage and servant awaiting me,
as l had sent word at what time
l should arrive, but, being disap-
pointed, my only alternative was to
put up for the night. The inn at
which the coach stopped was as dreary
a place as my imagination could have
pictured. No fire had been kindled in
the waiting-room, and the solitary cam
die only rendered the gloom and dark
ness more apparent. As was the only
one of the passengers who remained,
the host was not particular as to his
duties, and l assure you l Jared but
poorly. When nearly an hour had
passed, and servant-maid came to
say that supper was prepared, l was
as nearly home-sick as it was possible
to be. l followed her to Il long, low
dining-room, where several Indifferent
persons were seated at n table which
contrasted well with everything else |
had seen. As entered they all gazed
at me as though an apparition had
made its appearance among them.
inferred Immediately that the person
who came to light the fire for me had
seen me in tears, and had gone back to
make it known. They continued to
watch me closely whilst l drank my tea,
and, on my arising from the table with
out having tasted any food, they con-
cluded. no doubt. that l was poor and
friendless. l returned to the parlor,
which was by that time more cheerful,
and, seating myself before the little
fsv.op,1nnn I Al -