River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1879-08-21
RENA'S SITUATION.

RENA'S SITUATION.
''Oh, / wish / were rich" said Rena
Lewis, out aloud IN the fullness of her
heart. g; wish could be a fine lady and
play eroquet IN SOFT muslin edged with
lace, and French kid boets, and wear real
Clara. And leaning her elbows on the
wide wi1dow seat She looked down
through the morning screen OF Lamarque
rose leaves a the merry party on the
lawn below.
Little Rena Lewis life had all beer
one upward aspiration. She had no idea
y here she WAS be- n. She only knew that
they had found her in basket on the
steps of the "Dorcas Founding Asylum,
with shawl wrapped around her, and
pair Of bright brown eyes staring up at
the sky. She had been "bound out a.
ten years old, and her usual quickuese
and spirit CHANGING to attract the atten
ton of her mistress, had secured her
good English education
'Rena," SAID Mrs Brown, when she
was seventeen, "you are too bright and
intelligent for a mere servant maid; you
have more brains than are needed for
securing pots and busting chairs. uo+
would you lice 20 become a teacher:
"Oh, Mrs. Brown said she, lit Is
what have Always dreamed Of
Mrs. A!en was here yesterday. said
her mistress; 'she has nice living ou'
at Georgetown Heights, who wants
governess for her little gnls, Salary S25
a month; duties light ana agreeapie,
think, Rena, you could teach two little
girls their reading and spelling, and Keep
! t cir ribbons fresh and their Ninaiores
| cleans''
"Oh, / know | couldr cried the girl,
with reddening cheeks and lips all gar
landed with happy smiles. 'But--mg
clothes; I've nothing but dyed merino
and two faded calico dresses.
"I'll see TO that, my dear, said Mrs.
Brown, kindly, You have worked faith
fully for me and you deserve present
| vii. give you an outfit; and ] will tel.
| Mrs Allen, Who has a few foolish ideas
on the subject Of social position, that you
are the orphan child Of a friend OF mine
| It's little bit Of white lie, to be SURE.
but | don't think the recording angel
will be very hard on me for it.
So Rena Lewis went to the handsome
Italian villa on Georgetown Heights, anG
iancied herself in Eden. MIS-. Allen, the
younger, declared herself delighted with
the new governess. She's SO pretty, said
| Mrs Allen, land has such soft, soaring
voice, and Loo and 0he are so fond OF
| her Aud she dresses Clara 5 hair So eN
| quisitely; better than any Partisan maw
could do
For Miss Clara Allen. Mr.. james Allen =
cousin from the South. was there spend
ing the summer, and il nas Miss Clara !,
dresses, Miss Clara's iewelry and Miss
Clara's general dash and glitter that had
awakened all these longing ideas IN poor
Rena's heart, especially since Harold
Reede had begun TO come there 80
much.
Harold Reede was the handsome young
rector of nclghboring church-tall, dart,
and distingue He had asked Rena Iewi~
to take charge Of class III the oGoday
school: he had escorted her home unc rai
ny SUNDAY night, as cOurteouslv as il shs
had been one of the royal princcsses; ans
/ IN her secret heat Rena thought him tbs
| best. the noblest and the most beautiful
| of human beings Just as the Dig rOund
! ,
| hind the screen Of Lamarque roses, IN tn
still sunshine Of the August afternoon.
| Miss Alien voice Nas heard echoing oH
the stairs.
"Rena ReDa Lewis. are you dead and
buried, or what has become Of you.
Rena started up hurriedlv, brushing
the dew from her eyelashes.
II am here, Miss Allen, said She
"Can you play croquetI impcriously
called out the fair Clara.
"A little"
"Then come down at ono said Mis-
Allen. "Alice Hartland. tiresome thing,
| has gone home with headache, and VIZ
want one more to finish the game. J
don't suppose you are much OF player
but YOU will be better than nothing,
| Little Rena Lewis, far too much eiated
| by the prospect of croquet TO pay much
heed to the righteousness Of the invita-
| ton, flew to put ON her hat, and came
blushing and smiling down tairs like al
animated daisy. Rev. Hmold Reede, as
it CHANGED, was her partner, aud he
| thought hl had never seen 50 fair ano
| fresh creature rs Benu, in a garden hat
with natures own roses Oh her checks,
and eyes that shone like stars heueatb
their dark fringcs
"Am aiming right" she said, tim
dly, with upiift d mallet, orc tiny foot
press ng the bal desp down into the
grass.
Mr. Reede smiled.
"YoU could not have aimed more cor
rectly," said he; and Miss Allen, who
was watching them from the haca ground,
bit her lips and secretly regretted her
haste IN calling Miss Lewis to the rescue.
IAN arttul, flirting little puss, thought
she. But at this moment Mrs. St. Jerome
fine lady with q berouged coLutenalcc
and a costume like unto the French
plates in the magazines, called out tragi
cally:
''It's the very one!
Dear me, Mrs. St. Jerome, said
Clara, with a nervous start, "what can
you mean b. frightening one out Of ones
wits9n
II have seen her at Mis- Browns"
cried the fine lady. Il knew her counte.
nance Y as familiar to me never vet
was mista en- in face--scouring the
front door steps and sweeping out th.
hall"
who on earth do sou mean cried
Mrs Alc,. l,alf inclined 70 believe her
friend was going mad.
Il mean her, SAID No. Jerome,
pointing straight at poor BRUSHING Rena
with the handle OF hen pearl-and-siiver
far.
But you must be mistaken said Mrs.
Alien.
"she is not mistaken" said Rena
with burning cheeks. II was Mrs.
Brown servant maid, before ] came
here
Miss Allen recoiled from the contact Of
Rena's Tutoring scarf Mrs ST. Jerome
sank upon garden scat, with her smell
inc bottle pressed 10 her nose. Mrs. Allen
die herself up haughtily
.sYou never told me this, said .ue.
Rcna's lips quiyered, the tears rushed to4
her eyes.
WAS it any disgrace said she.
"Of course you won't keep her, said
Clara.
"Certainly not said Mr.. Alien,
.and all never forgive Mr. Brown
f.. practiciDg sucIi deceit as this upon
ire"
Little Rena dropped her mailet on the
grass and ran into the house, scared
waiting until she had reached her w
room, to burst into the bitterest tears
she had ever shed
ST. Is such a cruel world e. she sobbed