The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1879-02-26

with gold stamens. given by her father soon
after her mothers death; vainly she shook
the veil, and searched the platform wherever
she had walked; the earring was hopelessly
lost She remembered now having felt q
coat brush her cheek in that horrible inter-
val between darkness and daylight, and
without doubt the little fuchsia was caught
and pulled from her ear at that time. This
solution of the mystery had just been
reached, when a handsome coupe drove
rapidly down the road, and the liveried
coachman, touching his hat politely, in
ouired if the young lady might be Miss
Allan; replying that she. was the person
sought, Judith took her seat in the carriage,
and rolled away in solitary state to Mrs.
Bariow's mansion.
The lady of the manor was q woman of
calm and dignified bearing, undemonstrative
in speech. and firm and unalterable in prin-
ciples and opinions; her children loved, her
servants respected. and her friends admired
her; but Judith, after the first day spent in
Mrs. Barlow's house, felt that the mother of
her little pupil, though in every respect a
most superior woman, was one to whom she
could never be drawn by any feeling of af-
lection or sym pathy.
The duties OF her position were few and
simple; she was received as a lady, and
treated with scrupulous politeDess by ser
wants and all, as a member of the family;
after her interview with Mrs. Barlow on the
subject of education, little Alice was left en-
tirely to her care, thereby proving how we'll
satisfied the lady was with Miss Allan's
judgment and intelligence. Margaret Bar
low, the elder daughter, though considerate
and kind, resembled her mother in person
and character; consequently there was an
impossible barrier of reserve between the
two girls, although some few months was all
the difference IN age. Mrs. Barlow always
invited Miss Allan to be present when enter
tainments were given in the house, and Miss
l1o, doolinod with thanks and
spent most OF the long evenings alone with
her books in the seclusion OF her own
room.
So passed two quiet uneventful months,
and Judith thoroughly interested IN her
affectionate little charge was content with
life in its new phase, for any rising spirit of
dissatisfaction was instantly quelled by the
mental contrast of that dingy, desolate house
in the city, the only place in the world she
could turn to for home.
One evening Judltl sat alone in the dusk
waiting for the return of Mrs. Barlow and
Alice from their customary drive; having a
slight headache she had excused herself from
accompanying them this afternoon. prefer
ring to stay at home with her needlework
and her own thoughts for society.
The house was perfectly silent; Margaret
having left in the morning Tor prolonged
visit to the city, no one remained on the
place but the servants and herself; feeling
restless and some what lonely, Judith went
down stairs to the library. and opening the
piano played softly a little while in the
half light until utterly forgetting
herself and her Surroundings in the beauty
of the music, she gave her whole soul up to
the enjoyment and played as one inspired.
So oblivious was the young girl OF the
outside world that she did not hear the door
open softly behind her, nor feel another
presence IN the room until the movement of
Beethoven was finished and she had
dr0nnad hor far m her hands nv
the strength of her own feellng gently an
unseen power lifted the bowed head, ten
der hand smoothed the soft hair, and a voice
with deep emotion said:
Margaret, you are genius! and in my
selfish blindness l never until this moment
realized it; can you forgive me?"
Judith's brain grew dizzy, and for an in
with a sudden effort she shook herself free
and sprang toward the door, trembling like
an aspen leaf.
Whoever you may be, sir, you have
made a great mistake am not Margaret,
as you suppose but Mrs. Barlow's govern
ess;'' then without waiting to hear the
young mans bewildered attempt at apology,
Judith few up stairs to her room, bolted
the door, and threw herself on the bed in q
passion of tears. When Alices gentle tap
broke the silence half an hour later, she
pleaded a severe headache and sent excuse:
I
table.
Judith had learned from her pupils con
fidences that there was grown up son in
the family woo came home from his bust
ness every month or so, and spent few days
with his mother and sisters; but by Mrs
Barlow or her elder daughter his name had
never been mentioned, whether intentional
ly or not she was unable to tell. This gen
tleman was probably David, the pride and
admiration of little Alice; and how could
| she nerve herself to meet him, as would GER
tainly be necessary, after the unfortunate
though natural mistake of the evening; hel
| figure was very much like Margaret's; it wa.
nearly dark, and probably the young mar
did not know there was such being in ex
| istence as Mrs Barlow's governess''
! Intentionally Judith delayed her toile
the following morning, and did not cntel
the breakfast room until that meal wa
nearly over; she merely bowed to Mrs Bar
lifting her eyes from the floor.
Miss Allan. this is my SON."
Judith looked up to acknowledge the in
PRODUCTION; the gentleman raised his head
which had been bent over his newspaper
started SO violently as to turn over his coffee
cup, bowed, and coloring to the top OF hi
broad forehead excused himself hurriedly
and left the room.
'My son was embarrassed by the unex
pected entrance of lady," remarked Mrs
Barlow, with keen glance at Judiths quie
face. The gentleman's excessive nervous
ness had the effect of making Judith calm
and her manner consequently was perfectI,
natural, so Mrs. Barlow's suspicious of a pre-
vious acquaintance, momentarIly enter
tanned, were as quickly dispelled as created
my son has come home for few days
hunting and recreation, but he will stay il
the house SO little that our regular routin
need not be in the least disturbed" and ris
ing from the table as she spoke, the lad
rang to summon the waiter, then opening
large writing desk, entered upon her earle!
morning duty of settling tine previous day
accounts and preparing orders for her hea
gardner and different workmen.
Judith was just turning to leave the ROOF
when Alice came running in with CLOWN
cheeks and shortened breath:
'Oh, Miss Allan, David sent me to ask 20
if might have holiday and ride to th
beech woods with him this morning, and
says there are three horses, and he woul
like to have you go, too; won't you? Pleas