Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-05-31
A LUCKY ESCAPE.

explain the circumstances which led to INV be-
coming the heroine of it.
mother with very reduced means. and a large
family, OF whom l was the eldest. Twas anx-
ious 10 90 something to help her, but, though l
nau = gOO9 pam education and was we'll read,
IposSeSseo no accomplishments could neither
pay the piano nor draw, and spoke French
Win an accent l could not fiatter myself was
1alis'an: IL was therefore difficult to find a
pace Tor me the emoluments of which would
enable me 10 aid Ely mother. / was about,
however, to advertise for the post of companion
MnSn letter reached us from an aged relative
US O -0-
Mrs, Keith, his aunt, had married rich man,
Ing, left her bis estates and wealth: but q
quarrel with her brother-my grandfather
had separated her completely from her family,
and We had not heard from her for years. Ru-
moi gave her the character Of mser, and my
70 ner memory, divided as they were by the
whole length Of England, for his living was In
the north, and Mrs. Keith lived near POurbrOOk,
a village IN hampshire Still, as q matter OF
was sent to her, and / believe our dOctor-a
kind, thoughtful man-accompanied 1t with a
Letter from himself to the old lady: and now
Aitel the ordinary condolences, she added
mat, having understood my mother had a large
to apd ts s@a e means she would be happy
her as companion. 81 win give her. IN she ac-
cepts my o1er, thirty pounds year." she
o0uCu, duu, DIS very uJtio uToSS IS REQUIRED In
my home-for see no one but the doctor and
clergyman-she ought to be able to spare
twenty pounds OF that sum to help her family.
S@s she must that my house Is
Hshment is small, consisting only of two old
and faithful servants and younger assistant
and that her life will be monotOnOus routine
with only an aged woman as her companion.
II therefore she is timid or fond Of gaiety, she
had better not think Of coming here.'s
My mother who was reading the letter aloud
10 me na1ISod with q n
Il will accept the offer, dearest mother" I
said. 81 don't know what fear is, and don't
care for gaiety, even If were not In such sor-
But, my dear, the salary Is so small, and
the prospects so dreary; and we have always
heard that aunt Helen is perfect miser," re-
monstrated my mother.
But rumor always exaggerates,' sug-
gested. ''She may be nicer than you think.
means kindly. If she is a miser, she must N for
our sakeS have struggled against her besetting
sin; do not let us refuse to accept her sacrifice
Of it."
"Wen,' said my mother, ':if you really think
you could like 1t, you shall go. We are her sole
remaining relatives, and she may, when she
knoMs INC more r. Of us remember your brother
family.
So wrote and accepted Mrs. Keith's offer;
and on dull November afternoon shortly after
wards arrived at BOarhunt Hall, her residence.
II was fine place. The old trees, which nearly
met over the avenue, were magnificent, even
In their autumn decay Of leaves; but the gravel
weeds, the lodge looked tumbl1ng to pieces, and
everywhere there was an appearance OF neglect
and cesolation. very aged man admitted me
and my luggage to the hall-a vast dreary-
looking place without fire on its great hearth
and led me up fine staircase to corridor full
of musty, dried rose leaves. at the end of this
corridor he threw open door and announced
me.
Seated by the fire OF the room into which
" nShorpN q old lady VI
her hand and welcomed me kindly. AS / took
1t She drew me down and kissed my Cheek
b1s
quick, keen eye and smile. / am glad to see
you {; sit down.
seated myself near her. and while we chat
In at glance the whole scene-a very long low
drawing room. with antique furniture of an
other age, panels Of dark oak with borders finely
piece, and q quaint old mirror over it, q carpet
the color OF which had totally disappeared, and
an old harpischord at the extreme end of the
her position, too. ii / except the handsome
cashmere shawl in which she was wrapped.
The small fire, also, on very chilly day, indi-
eP ore eha sh nsr5 that she
thought would be glad to take OF my travel
ing dress, and rang the bell On the butler ap-
pearing, she desired him to send up Mrs. Wheel
wheeler, his wife and village lass are all
my establishment, Lottle. 1 hope you do not
aOh, no" answered. "we have always had
to wait upon ourselves. Aunt Helen"
She smiled and looked pleased. Mrs. Wheeler
shortly after appeared and led me to my room,
which was on the same floor, but down another
corridor opening into the principal one at right
angles. 1t was large dismal looking room,
containing four-pOSt bed with heavy wOollen
furniture and curtains, all cleverly emoroid-
cred In cTewelS, now faded In manner which
would have delighted the art school, though
probably they had been, In their best days, OF
brilliant eolors. i admired the work to Mrs.
"Oh, this Is nothing to the tapestry In Mrs
Kefth's room, ma'am, If you would like TO see
room exactly opposite my own, which was
hung with tapestry IL wonderful state OF
preservation.
/ was much struck by it, and rather glad
also TO find that should not sleep alone in this
rambling dreary. looking old mansion, though
Mrs. Keith, feeble and aged, was small protec-
ton, and learned that only she and occupied
this part Of the house, the servants sleeping In
anc WsIe SP eink mistake of my ladys" said
MIS- seeing that her Plate ana Jewels Ss
she has slept here alone ever since Mr.. Keith's
Her plate and jewels here?" / exclaimed
which I could perceiVe only small wardrobe
and chest OF drawers.
Yes, maam, In closet behind the tapes
oyS ILL, PssA eAo6 w. u VIZ jill os.0"SN
me that they covered an oak paneling Of rich
carving, which 1t seemed shame to hide. l
then perceived that the tapestry hung from
wide embossed ledge little below the top of
the room, leaving hollow space between it
and the wainScot. My eyes, following the
ledge, perceived three brass bell-wireS above IL
running round the room, which struck me as
upuSuaEin modern houses bell-w1res are gen
orally concealed-but 1 made no remark on my
discovery. Mrs. Wheeler then led me back to
my own room, and, after i had declined her
civil offer to unpack for me, left me.
found my new home quite endurable, though
very dull and monOtOnouS. My aunt was a
great reader, and / also loved books. One OF
my duties was TO read to her, and, as she Sc
lected good works and discussed them cleveriy
afterwards, my task was pleasant one. She
was herself unable to take exercise out of doors
as breathing the cold air Of winter brought on
bronchitis with her; but she moved about the
room, and could walk to her chamber, and oc-
casionally up and down the corridor, leaning On
my arm. She rose at about 10 o'clock: but |
breakfasted early, and generally took a walk ia
the park before our early dinner. On prayer
mornings In the week, as well as Sunday, man
aged TO walk to church, though the distance
was certainly considerable, and / was often
late. The Doctor called occasionally, and so did
the rector-a very pleasant cheerful man OF
about forty, bachelor.
/ grew quite fond Of aunt Helen, although
could hot smut my eyes TO the fact that she was
parsimoniouS. Every detail OF housekeeping
was most carefully looked into nv her and ON,