Daily Kennebec journal., 1879-12-18
NO. 3O2.
Gales ano Sketebes.
A LUCKY ESCAPE.


which led to my becoming the heroine OF
it.
The death of my father, a clergyman,
left my mother with very reduced means
and large family, of whom 1 was the
eldest. / was anxions to do something to
help her, but, though | had a good plain
education and was well read, possessed
no accomplishments. | could neither
play the piano nor draw, and / spoke
French with an accent could not fiatter
myself was Partisan. TWAS therefore diff
iicult for me to find a place the emolu-
ments of which would enable ME to aid
my mother. was about, however to adj
vertise for the post of companion, when
letter reached us from an aged relative Of
my fathers which settled the difficulty for
us.
Mrs. Keith. his aunt, had married rich
man, who. dying, left her his estate and
wealth but a quarrel with her brother
my grandfather-had separated complete
ly from her family, and we had not heard
from her for years. Rumor gave her the
character of a miser, and my father had
never felt inclined to recall himself to her
memory, divided as they were by the whole
length OF England, for his living was in the
north, and Mrs. Keith lived near Pour
brook. village in Hampshire. Still, as
a matter of fcourtesy, acard dannouncingher
nephew's death was sent to her, and be-
lieve our doctor-a kind, thoughtful man
accompanied it with letter from himself
to the old lady. And now she had written
to us not unkindly letter.
After the ordinary condolences, she adj
ded that. having understood my mother
had large family and small means, she
would be happy to receive the eldest
daughter to reside with her as companion.
81 will give her, if she accepts my offer,
ESQ year, she added, ''and, as very lit
tie dress is required in my home-for see
no one but the doctor and clergyman-she
ought to be able to spare f20 of that sum
to help her family. But she must reInem-
ber that my house is lonely place far in
the country, that my establishment is small,
consisting only of two old and faithful
servants and a younger assistant, and that
her life will be n mOnotOnOus routine with
only an aged woman as her companion.
If therefore she is timid or fond of gaiety,
she had better not think of coming here.'
Ny mother who was reading the letter
aloud to me paused with look of dismay.
''Iwill accept the offer, dearest mother"
| said. II don't know what fear is and l
don't care for gaiety, evenif were not in
such sorrow.h
"But, my dear, the salary is so small,
and the prospects so dreary; and we have
always heard that aunt Helen is perfect
miser," demonstrated my mother.
"But rumor always exaggerates. )" sug-
gested. .'She may be nicer than you
think. She seems straight forward, and
probably means kindly. If she is miser,
she must for our sakes have struggled
against her besetting sin; do not let us re-
fuse to accept her sacrifice of it,
WELL" said my mother, ''if you really
think you could like it, you shall go. We
are her sole remaining relatives, and she
may, when she knows more of us, remem-
Der your brother Reginald's claim on her
as the last male of his family"
So wrote and accepted Mrs. Keith's
offer, and on dull November afternoon
shortly afterwards | arrived at Boarhunt.
Hall, her residence. 1t was fine place.
The old trees which nearly met over the
avenue. were magnificent even i'm their au-
tumn decay of leaves; but the gravel of
the avenue was moss-grown and full Of
weeds, the lodge looked tumbling to
pieces, and everywhere there was an ap-
pearance of neglect and desolation. A
very aged man admitted me and my lug
gage to the hall-a vast dreary looking
place, without fire on its great hearth
and led me up fine staircase to corro-
dor full of cabinets containing old china
and redolent 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
| 4 7 /. II 4 IL
who extended her hand and welcomed me
kindly As took it she drew me down
and kissed my ch k.
"You have look of my brother-your
grandfather-in your face, Lottie," she
said, "his quick, keen eye and smile.
am glad to see you; sit down."
seated myself near her, and while we
chatted, those quick eyes which she had
noticed took in at glance the whole
scene--a very long, low drawing-ro
with antique furniture of another age,
panels of dark oak with borders finely
carved, Il high and also richly man.
tel l-piece, and quaint old mirror over it,
n carpet the color of which had totally
disappeared, and an old harpsichord at the
extreme end of the room. My great aunt
was shabby dressed for her position. too,
if | except handsome cashmere shawl in
which she was wrapped. The small fire,
also, on a very chilly day, indicated parsi-
mony. on her part at least.
After brief chat. she observed that she
thought would be glad to take off my
travelling dress, and rang the bell. On
the butler appearing, she desired him to
send up Mrs. Wheeler, adding as he with
drew:
wheeler, his wife and q village lass
are all my establishment, Lottie. / hope
you do not need much attendance"
"Oh. no." l answered. "We have al
ways had to wait npon ourselves, aunt
Helen.h
She smiled and looked pleased. Mrs.
Wheeler shortly afterward appeared and
led me to my room, which was on the
same floor, but down, another corrodor
> s.tokea ffS1 Tie principal one at right an.
giles. 1t was large dismal looking room
containing four post bed, with heavy
wooden furniture and curtains, all cleverly
embroidered in crewels, now faded in .
manner which would have delighted thu
the art school, though probably they has