The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-08-02
BY LEAH LA SHON.

Lewis, out aloud in the fullness of her
heart. 81 wish could be fine lady and
play croquet in soft muslin edged with
lace, and French kid boots, and wear real
birds OF paradise in my hat like Miss
Clara" And leaning her elbows on the
wide window seat, she looked down
through the morning screen OF Lamarque
rose leaves at the merry party on the lawn
below.
Little Rena Lewis life had all been
one upward aspiration. She had no idea
where she was born. She only knew
that they had found her in basket on
the steps of the "Dorcas Founding Asy.
hm," with shawl wrapped around her,
and pair of bright brown eyes staring
up at the sky. She had been "bound out"
at Ten years old, and her unusual quick
ness and spirit CHANGING to attract the at
tention of her mistress, had secured her a
good English education.
"Rena,' said Mrs. Brown, when she was
seventeen, "you are too bright and fntelli-
gent for mere servant maid; you have
more brains than are needed for securing
pots and dust1ng chairs. How would you
Rts 10 become a teacher"
"Oh, Mrs. Brown" said she, at is what
fhave always dreamed of"
"Mrs. Allen was here Yesterday" said
her mistress; "she has niece, living out
at Georgetown Heights, who wants a
nursery governess for her little girls,
Salary S2S month-duties light and
agreeable | think, Rena, you could teach
two little girls their reading and spelling,
and keep their ribbons fresh, and their
pinafores cleanM
"Oh, know could" cried the girl,
with reddening cheeks and lips all gar,
landed with happy smiles. "But-my
clothes, I've nothing but dyed merino
and two faded calico dresses"
am see to that, my dear" said Mrs
Brown, kindly. "You have worked faith
fully for me and you deserve present
will give you an outfit; and will tell
Mrs, Alca, who has Few foolish ideas on
he subject Of social position, that you are
orphan child Of friend of mine. It's
bit of a white lie. 10 h.
At. -- ~ sure, but
u.Ink the recording angel will be
ry hard on me for it."
So Rena Lewis went TO the handsome
italian villa on Georgetown Heights, and
fancied herself in Eden. Mrs. Alen the
younger declared herself delighted with
the new goyerness. "She's SO pretty, said
Mrs. Allen, "and has such soft soaring
voice, and Loo and Ole are so fond OF
her. And she dresses Clara.s hair so ev-
quisitely; better than any Partisan maid
could do"
For Miss Clara Allen, Mr.. James Aliens
cousin from the South, was there spend
ing the summer and ii was Miss Clara's
dresses, Miss Claras Jewelry, and Miss
Clara's general dash and glitter that had
awakened all these longing ideas in poor
Rena's keart, especially since Harold
Reede has begun to come there so much.
Harold Reede was the handsome young
rector Of a neighboring church-tall, dark
and distingue He had asked Rena Lewis
to take charge OF class in the Sunday
school he had escorted her home one rainy
Sunday night,as courteously as if she had
been one of the royal princesses; and in
her secret heart Rena thought him the
best, the nobleSt and the most beautiful OF
human beings just as the big round
tears were trembling on her eyelashcs, be.
hind the screen Of Lamarque roses, in the
still sunshine of the August afternoon,
Miss Aliens voice was heard echoing on
the stairs.
arena! Rena Lewis are you dead and
buried or what has become of your"
Rena startad up hurriedly. brushing the
dew from her eyclashes.
~ am here Miss Alen," said she.
"Can you play croquet'" imperiously
called out the fair Clara.
"a little"
"Then come down at once" said Miss
,s5ien. "Alice Har!and, tiresome thing,
l:sas gone home with headache, and we
-4ant one more to finish the game
-on't suppose you are much Of player
~ you will do better than nothing"
Little Rena Lewis, far too much elated
BY the prospect of croquet to pay much
heed to the ungraciousness of the invita-.
ton, few TO put on her hat, and came
blushing and smiling down stairs like an
animated daisy. Rev. Harold Reede, as
it chanced was her partner, and he thought
he never had seen so fair and fresh crea,
ture as Rena, in garden hat, with natures