Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1878-02-16


leaving home. But for the unfortunate
incident at the springs. time would have
passed very pleasantly with Lima; as it
was. she was restless and unhappy.
Notwithstanding her effort to assume
cheeriulness Her attempt was almost
failure. fol it was not in Lina's nature
to dissemble. A less critical eve than
her mothers might have regarded her
actions less comprehensivelv. yet. as it
was, true to womans ius, net, Mrs.
Maynard was certain that something
weighed heavily upon her daughters
mind, though she felt that it must be q
subject which she dare not approach,
therefore she kept quiet in regard to it,
and removed all anxiety on Gertrude's
part by making her belie7e that her sis
ter WAS not we'll
When they returned to Lynchburg
Lima found ten letters waiting her arri-
! val. One of them was from her dear
friend. Clara. the other from Madam
Dupont. i'll which that estimabe lady de-
sired to engage her services tor the
coming year TO take charge of three
small girls. She offered her five hun
dred dol lars year. and wished that she
would come Immediately, IN order 10 b.
| there the first of September. which was
only five days off Lima did not think it
necessary to answer the letter, for ,he
would herself start the next day, and
would get there by the time that the let-
ter would; but she did write hastv lote
TO Clara, thanking her from the depths
OF her grateful heart for the interest, the
active part assumed in the promotion
OF her welfare.
When Lima arrived at Georgetown
she stepped out o! the tram. and in a
moment she had secured a seat in a cab
that was just in the act OF starting off,
but as there is always room for one
! more. Lima was crowded in between a
tat old gentleman and lean old lady :;
therefore. You can easily imagine that
her position was anything but comtorta-
! BILE; but our modern heroine had made
up her mind to become alike accustomed
to things agreeable and disagreeablc-
hence her patience on this occasion.
Consulting her card, Lima bade the cab
man let her out at No. "a, corner of
North and Fourth streets. When the
man complied with her request, and sc,
her down bag and baggage on the huge
! marble steps which led to the main en-
! trance OF a dark and cheerless stone
building, an utter sense of loneliness
came over Lima. and she fell as if She
would like to take good cry. but as she
ascended the steps she endeavored to
shake off this feeling, but in spite of her
resistance. forboding Of some impend-
ing evil sent chill to her heart; but it
Was too late now to retrace her steps. SO
she rang the bell and waited. A servant
answered her call, and she gave him her
card. which he carried at once to the
mistress. In 4 moment he returned and
bade her follow him up stairs. He
ushered her into the lady's august
presence and withdrew himself hastily.
lnis lady was indulging herself in
an lndolent manner upon velvet-cu h.
Toned settee. From her drowsy appear
ance, she had been aroused from her
afternoon nap. consequently she did not
seem to be in too good humor. When
Lima entered she did not get up. but
motioned her to be seated, then she put
the following questions to her:
Did you graduate at the same time
that Clara Morton did?"
mo, madam. the year before
How was thats Did not both of YOU
enter the convent at the same timer
1--WE did. and l think / graduated
first. because Ifelt that it was important
for me to do so. while my friend Clara
was notpressed with any such necessity,
Possibly you possessed the quickest
intellect. (this with tinge OF sarcasm.')
Pardon m". madam. when tell you
that l did not wish for an instant to con.
vey such an impression to your mind
Very well. How old are you?"
Nineteen the twenty-second of mex,
month"
"Cmph! that's young. indeed. to take
charge OF class of children"
Il hope. madam. to do my duty to
those who are entrusted to my care"
DO you read French huentlyp"
IL studied that language seven years,
madam. but OF my proficiency leave
you to Judge for yourself
My reason tor wishing to know this
Is that am fond OF French novels, and
will expect you to spend at least an
hour with me every day. reading to me
from my iavorite authors"
Here madam Dupont rang bell and
told the servant. who answered it, to
show Miss Maynard to her room.
Here Lima had the satisfaction of find
Ing out that this woman was not entirely
void OF feeling. if she was of pollteness.
She was glad enough to escape from the
room, for she was iatigued and worn
from her travel. and longed to refresh
herself by an hours good, sound sleep.
in entering her room she bathed her
ace and hands. removed her dusty
raveling suit and threw herself on the
bed, and was soon lost in that beautiful
'epose that is so refreshing to the weary.
While Lima is enjoying this delightful
lumber, l will give you minute des.
'rlption Of the woman whom we left in ,
he drawing-room below. In stature |
Madam Dupont is far under medium |
leight. and rather fleshy to be graceful. 6
der complexion is fair. but usually I
lond, her eyes OF the deepest blue. q
Teen, small, and at Ines lurid almost as b
tigers, her hair so light that it is al a
most sandy hue. On the whole, she t
no beauty, 1 assure you. Her dispo. v
ition is not an enviable one by anv a
means. her strong self-will was !
he most prominent feature in that ia d
iy's character. She is one of those {
hot f,,,lo at bor |