The Van Buren press. [volume] (Van Buren, Ark.) 1859-1914, 1878-10-15
CHAPTER IL.

Maggie was twenty years old when her
father died, and the creditors did pounce
down, and she and her mother were sold
out, Mrs. Dunlop was offered a home in
in London by sister who was we'll off
and bad tempered, and it was thankfully
accepted. Maggie was informed that she
must get her own living. which being
precisely Maggie's own opinion as well
as intention, she advertised for stua.
ton as governess. Now Maggie had a
very modest idea of her own merits, and
therefore only asked for twenty. five
pounds year and comfortable home, SO
no less than five ansslsrs came to her an
nouncement that she could teacn EngrIsn,
French, music and the rudiments OF
drawing.
One of these answers came from Wool
wich, and stated that Mrs. Marshall re-
quired a governess for her three little
girls. Mrs Marshall was q stiffneeked
sort of woman, and stared at poor little
Maggie (who looked almost as childl!ke
and twice as pretty as every through
double gold glasses. Colonel Marshall,
her husband, was a nice old man, with q
bald head and an iron gray mustache,
and there was grown up daughter, a
Miss Patterson, Mrs. Marshall's daugh,
ter by her first husband, who was really
the mistress of the establishment, for
Maria Patterson had strong will, and
she was an heiress. "a very nasty
heiress too, poor Maggie thought, aud
she was right, for Maria was skinny, and
thought herself sarcastic, and always
said nasty things to people who did not
dare say them back again.
One evening when Maggie had been
about year at Woolwieh, and she was
sitting alone in her schoolroom as usual
for her pupils had just said good night
and been delivered up TO the tender mer-
cies of their nurse, Miss Patterson walk
ed in very much dressed, and rather
flushed and excited,
Miss Dunlop she said, 1--WE shall
have few friends this evening, and
know one or two Of them like an i'm
promptu dance; will you be ready te
come into the drawing room and play, il
we should want you u
81 fear cannot play dance music
very well; l never keep time," said Mag
gle.
Yes, | feared so, aud thought woulf
come and tell you, SO that you might
practice for an hour or two till after DIN
ner;" aud she sailed out of the room
evidently considering the matter settled
zee oSaot9 waltz sfdnteaeE fiatkp hSaRet
Flock Galop. Then she put on hel
shabby black evening gown, and stuck 9
spray Of white flowers into her colder
hair, and waited patiently for summon $
hoping she would wait in vain IT. very
soon came, and with roll of music un
frightened face, and scared, aImos
hunted, expression in her eyes, she dc
scended, and timidy opened the drawing
room door, and there stood still for {
moment staring in establishment at thu
scene before her. There sat the heiress
with an eager, pleased expression OF
her face, and leaning over her, talking
and laughing, and more handsome thar
ever, ana sunburnt and sodierly look
ing, was Aic Granger. There was nc
installing him. The color rushed tc
Maggie's face, as if to say hurried
good bye, and then left it altogether
She recovered her seli-possession, how
ever, and walked with what she latteret
herself was great dignity toward the pi
ano She felt rather than saw him raist
his head and look at her, and the ne X
moment he was by her side.
Maggie-my dear Maggie why, fan
cy you being here; where did you come
from have been trying to find you GU
for months.
81 thought YOU" And then she die
not know how to 90 on, SO she added
almost piteousy: Il an the goyernes
here"
care you? oh, see, then, that is TIL
reason I've not seen you before, sup
pose"
"Do you really know Miss Dunlop 2
the heiress asked coming up, and speak
ing in her coolest manner.
Maggie wished sincerely she could sinl
into her shoes and bury herself
"Why of course do; we have beer
playfellows ever since we were born
haven't we. Maggie y
Aud Maggie, feeling she was being
backed up, answered bravely:
"Yes"
"Oh, indeed how interesting" Their
turning to Maggie: "Will you be so goot
as to begin waltz Miss Dunlop2 This
was to be our dance, Think to Alic
and she called off with him triumph
antly.
He came up to her directly after tn,
dance was over
81 went down to Porlock to try to fine
out where you had gone TO, he said, ''bu
nobody knew
alt didn't matter" she said, huskily
letting her fingers wander vaguely owe
the keys to make believe she wasn't yer,
interested in what he said.
Yes, it did-it mattered a great deal
Why, Pve got a box full of curositie
for you clubs to fight with, and littl,
heather god or two, and a statute o
Buddha, and all sorts of things.
told you | should bring you them home
Do you live here-I meaa in thi
house?'
He said these last words under hi
breath, for the heiress came up, the mex
minute he was carried off to dance will
Mrs. Somebody at the other end of tia
room, but not before Maggie had nod
ded reply to him. Soon after this Mis-
Patterson came up to the piano, and, say