The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1878-10-02
.LiLIAN CHURCH.

| In shlaeR, STfth q gold or else Jac quenlanpt
| trimmings # d III.
LiI4IAN CHURCH.
!, An E.sraoadInary 4tsI Whom, n Wet
| wats, Ana France.
From Chambers Journal. %
About thirty years ago was finishing
my education in a French pey,sSoas, where
there were three other English girls,
mostly qualifying themselves for teach
ing French. / was the eldest>of the set,
and v~as then about IL, and beginning to
think with Joy Of getting home again, and
away from Ftench fare and fashions.
One day, to my surprise, there came a
summons from madame, and it was with
some trepidation I obeyed it; bull need
| not have feared. a
''My dear" she said, looking at a letter
in her hand, 81 hear to-day that I am to
expect . young lady named Lillian
| Church, one of cur countrywomen, not
actually as scholar, but @ boarder,
though she will join some of your studies,
She Is Island is betrothod; but her doctor
Judges well that in the meantime she
should have a perfect change of scene.
TO you, as the eldest, / must look to show
her what kindness you can; for | must
| tell. you there are peculiarities about her,
and you must prevent your companions
noticing them--at least to herself"
Here was piece Of excitement for us,
! in the midst of the usual school-life
monotony! It may be imagined how we
four girls discussed the matter, and Won
dered what there was peculiar in our new
school elbow. We shared common bed
room, where we expected to have another
! bed introduced, as there was ample space.
| What, on the contrary, was our surprise
to find that Miss Church was to have a
small separate room opposite ours, and
| our greater surprise, workman made
his appearance, who put strong iron
bars on the windows and a paddock on
the door. Here was romance indeed.
| Evidently Miss Church must have made
al attempt to elope; nothing else could
! account for such strict surveillance. We
could scarcely settle down to anything
the day she was expected, and awaited
her appearance with the greatest eager
ness. One of the girls, Francis Grey,
had just reported tous that the gentleman
who had come with Miss Church had
driven away, when q message came to say
madame wanted us all. As we entered
the room all our eight eyes turned to the
new conner before madame had time to
! introduce her and hand her over to our
care. ss... s ...r g
She was perfectly different from what
we had expected, bearing not trace of
English birth about her. She was very
fully developed, and of medium height,
with face rather broad, but with hand
some features. Her hair. Of which she
had great masses, was jet black, and she
had large dark eyes with q most peculiar
and weird expression. In short, it was
a thoroughly italian face; and we found
out afterwards that Mr.. Church, her So
called uncle and guardian, had picked
her up in italy. He was struck with the
picturesque beauty of the child, who was
playing on the doorstep, and ascertaining
that she was fondling, and that her fos-
ter parents could ill afford to support her
! had adopted her himself, ....
After a few commonplace sentences had
passed, madame asked me if / would &c
and assist Miss Church to arrange her
things, which I accordingly did, she in
the meantime sitting by and looking, on
| We were thus occupied when, looking, al
her, saw her face suddenly assume the
most curious expression; all light seemed
have died ont Of her eyes; her form
became somewhat rigid, and she began
speaking in low tone, but rapidly and
fluentiy, in French. I was much alarmed
but at that moment madam entered tc
see how We were getting on. On catching
sight OF Lilian's face, she murmured tt
me, Hush! Don't notice it. She's 8
somnambulist, and falls into these frances
at times. suppose she has the dread Of
us foreigners On her mind. Whatever
1 you do, do not rouse her; it might be
fatal"
| y But madame, her eyes are open.''
Yes, my dear; they always are il
such a case" And then madame, think
ing it best to let me know the real state
Of the case, though warning me not t
let Lillian know about it, told me The
circumstances under which this young
girl was sent to school.
! For many months the peace of Mr.
Church's house had been greatly disturb
ed by 8 suspicion that there was a THE
among the servants. The things which
disappeared were Of no great value, and
| all belonged to Miss Church -pincush
ions, brushes, articles Of clothing; bu
though safe at night, in the morning ne
trace was to be found of them At las
the mystery was solved. Miss Church
J who slept at the top Of the house, had a
friend q few doors off who slept on til,
same floor. One night this friend wa
reused by q tapping at her window
With wonderful presence Of mind sh
opened it gently, and in climbed iii
: ian Church. She had clambered al
: along the ledge at the top Of. the house
but how she had escaped death no on
{ knew. Of course, after this her windos
: was secured, and she was watched; an,
it was discovered that she had herself 20
rid Of her things by going down at nigh
5 in her sleep ami burying them in the gal
, den. H
j Upon the further discovery Of her pe
s culiarity, an eminent doctor was cor
g suited, who prescribed perfect change {
u air and scene and the society OF youn
companions.
' I doubLwhether madam had any Idle
n Of the talk she was t1nGaltaIrine (Jn