Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1879-12-19


Cleona's black eyes looked unuttera.
bic anger from Minnie TO Mrs. Carris-
court.
What on earth is she doing here :?
Mamma, is che crazy
Her sharp, cutting tone was distinct
IL heard, as she intended it should be,
10y Minnie, who flushed painfully as
she rose, venturing just one glance at
the naughty besuty's face, and Mr..
Fletcher's eager, admiring eyes. whose
boldness startled her.
81 am sorry to have made such q
mistake. thought Mrs. Carriscourt
meant | was to sit here little while.
Please excuse me; l will not come
again.
Her voice was sweet, and Just little
nervous, aud she instantly crossed the
room followed by Cleous's cold, cut
ting words, every one of.which brought
a sharp thrill Of modification and pain
TO her.
Il BE careful you make no more such
mistakes. girl. Your place is among
the hired help, not in the parlors lie
good enough to remember that"
And even Geofirey Fletcher's callous
heart gave thrill of sympathy at sight
Of the scarlet pain on the sweet, young
face.
Once safe III her room, poor little
Minnie fought and conquered her first
battle with fate.
II II not be crushed by my first ex-
perience, she decided, resolutely, an
hour OF SO after, when her breast yet
heaved with couvulsive signs, and her
eyes were all swelled from crying. 81
will not give it up, and rush home to
mamma my first impulse. l will en-
deavor to construe people less literally,
and keep my place"
But there came flush to her cheeks
that all her brave philosophizing could
not control, at memory Of Cleona Car
riscourt's cool insclence.
I'D not have spoken so to dog"
Minnie said, as she repressed the bitter
tears that sprung in wounded indigna-
ton to her sweet blue eyes.
After that, there was no shadow of an
opportunity given by Minnie for Mrs.
Carriscourt or Cleona to lay any blame
to her charge.
She performed her duties as no gov
erness had ever before performed them,
and the twins progressed to their moth
er's complete satisfaction.
Minnie never was seen in the rooms
of the family, but lived entirely to her
self. taking her solitary little walks
when the days duties we're ended, and
disciplining herself into an uncon-
sciously unselish, brave, patient wo-
man.
Her letters home we're bright and
cheerful-until one day Mrs. Velsor
was Mortified to learn that her darling
was dangerously ill, that the fever had
come suddenly upon her, and that, in
fear and selfishness, Mrs. Paul St.
Eustace Carriscourt had insisted that
the rsving girl be taken from her house
to the hospital.
1T will kill her to move her." Doc.
tor Lethbridge had demonstrated, in.
dignantly.
"What nonsense, mammal" Cleona
retorted, looking fiercely at the physi-
clan. cit will not hurt her to be
moved nearly as much as it will US to
keep her here. She is nothing but the
children's governess !; she had better
die, even, than so risk all our lives any
longer. You will please superintend
her removal to-day >" she added, impe-
riously, to Doctor Lethbridge.
He looked coldly, almost furiously,
at Miss Carriscourt's face as she spoke.
Then he bowed, and answered, very
quietly:
II begin to agree with you. This
poor, suffering child had better die
than remain among such inhuman peo-
ple."
And Doctor Lethbridge person lily
superintendent Minnie's transfer not
to the hospital, but to his own house,
where his lovely, white.haired mother,
and his sister. opened their hearts to
the girl, and nursed her back to health
and strength, and-the sweetest happi.
ness that ever came to o girls heart
for Hugh Lethbridge asked her to be
his wife.
And the dark memory of those brief
days was hidden away beneath the glad
sunshine of her beautiful new life, and
Minnie in her own home was proud
and honored, and beloved as q queen.
The years passed-as years have a
trick of passing--bringing their bur-
dens of joy and sorrow, and to Hugh
Lethbridge and his wife there were
only landmarks of content to mark
their flight.
Three dear children had come to
them. and matron Minnie was even
fairer and sweeter than the maiden had
been, for she had been benefited by the
stern discipline OF earlier days.
And as the years went by, Doctor
Lethbridge grew famous and rich, un-
til there were no comforts or luxuries
he was obliged to refuse his wife OF
family-and one of those coveted luxu.
ries was resident governess at the
home of the children.
4 remember my own governess days
80 we'll, DEAR" Minnie said, one day, to
her husband, when they were discuss
ing the feasibility Of securing one. II
feel AS if never could be kiud enough
to any one in such a position in my
house. And yet all the happiness oil
my life resulted from my position in
Mrs. Carriscourts family"
And sue looked the great uualterable
love she had for him, and Doctor Leth
bridge kissed her lovely upturned face