The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1879-07-23
LETTICE.
BY ANNA BRANDON.

travel on, by any means; but then Lcttice.
M4nwaring was one of the sort that makes
the best of everything. az. saH..
''Its long journey over the hills, MISS"
said the wife of the landlord of the little
one story tavern that was perched on tho
crest of the highway, "and the SHOWS
powerful deep. Ct r.+s~ ed. .s"
81 think winter landscape is the pref
test thing in the world" said Lettice,
cheerily, as she wound her fur round and
round her neck"
"And old Stokes stage is awful uncom-
Portable" added the landlady.
81 like stage riding asserted Lefty.
"You'll not get there till dark"
ooh, that is sooner than I expected"
And Lefty climbed up into the stage
coach which stood creaklng and grooming
at the door, having just ramoled up from
the next village, a mile or so down the
hill. One solitary passenger occupied the
opposite corner-a tall, dark man, with
a Spanish sort Of complexion and clear
dark eyes, who wore an odd sort of olive
green cloak or mantle, heavily trimmed
with sable fur. He nodded briefly, IN
return to Lerty's smiling recognition. Our
little heroine would have talked with a
polar bear, had polar bear CHANGED to
be her travelling companion. Lettuce al
ranged her rugs and her basket and her
comet strings, and wondered secretly
how far the tall man was going.
''Can be Of any assistance to you9"
courteously querled the gentleman, as
Lefty searched in the straw at her teet
for a dropped glove.
'Thanks-no," said Lefty, coming up
again with very red cheeks, and curls a
little disheveled. "Are you going all the
way through?'
Gas far as the stage goes-yes."
"Oh' said Miss Mainwaring; $50 am l
The gentleman nodded interrogatively,
and went back to his paper.
tarily pouting her cherry lips. Why can't
he talk and make himself agreeable?
And he knows very we'll that we arc to
be shut up here together for eight long
hOrrs!'
But the wild landscape, as it fitted by,
white cleaning with SHOWS, and darkly
frinsed with the waving boughs, was, af-
te. all, nearly as good a study as the
''human face divine" Lefty soon forgot
her temporary annoyance and chagrin in
tne white, skeleton-like wall Of a deserted
old paper-mill, long since aisused and
fallen to ruin.
II wonder if it is haunted,' said she
) aloud.
y The stranger smiled, and laid down his
paper.
DO you believe in such things2" he
asked
Lefty NIainwaring laughed and colored
"Of course not. And yet, are you
much acquainted with this part of the
country?''
II have lived hereabouts good deal.
"Oh then, perhaps you know Easter
ham Hall?'
His face frightened.
"Oh, yes. You are gong there?'
Eyes. I am going to be governess tt
the little children" said Lefty, making
haste to enlighten him as to her true pc
sition, in order that he should fully com
prchend that she was no elegant young
lady coming to the Hall to make a visit
but an humble little working-bee, WIZ
was obliged to toll steadfastly for thu
daily bread she ate.
''Indeed!" he said.
And Lefty was vexed at herself 70
ClAC pOAACS AANAAASASANS III "AAASl
his tone subsidized. -4.. + +
II suppose it is very fine old place,
she went on.
"Very-for those who fancy find Of
places To my taste, they are apt to b
Over-run with rats, full of draughts, an
Tpictoresquely inconvenient."
'And haunted, perhaps?" mischievou'
ly put in Lettice, the rough sparkle con
ing back to her eyes.
$50 far as I know, Easterham Hall
free from any supernatural occupants
- II am sorry for that SAID Lefty.
He arched his eyebrows.
"You would like to share your roo
with ghost or two?"
"No; but 1 do like little tinge of T
nance about the place something to S
it little above and beyond the level
the commonplace"
He did not answer; and talkative Ii
ty once more set the conversational b;
rolling.
''The Easterhams are very rich, su
pose?"
eyes"
II never heard of them until last weel
said she, musingly. "And now-h'
strangely things are ordered in Il
- world ~ am going to cast my lot amo
them"
GLOW does this happen?" said the g
tlemeu. He could not very we'll say le
in rdinary politeness, and yet Lefty +
tri, mphantly that she had ''drawn b
out"
''Thev wrote to Madame Moligny,
. old teacher, to select a govcIness qualit
to teach two little boys; and mazda
knew that I wished for situation, a
so here I am. I wonder how they v
like me?"
II hope you will like then," said
Eyentleman, sitting a yawn.
"That isn't the question: said Lei
mperatively. "Mr. Easterham is a Dire
I'll bear.'
"You are acquainted with him?'
ooh, no; only what I have heard,"
swered Lefty.
"And what may that be?'
"You are neighbour said LIE
doubtfully. "Perhaps l have said
H.