The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1880-07-22

Elsie's privileged maid, who, for this
once, is acting the part Of guest.
IF you had not told me this Ishould
says she is an accomplished, elegant
young lady. How finely she. plays and
how sweetly she sings!' ~ ~ : 81
'ftttiWell, she has been brought up
here, having the benefit Of our gov
erness' instructions.
sThat accounts for it, then replied
| the aristocratic lady, looking at me
sharply.
"sYes, but we cannot think of making
an equal OF her it was only to crafty a
whim of Elsie's that consented to her
being present on this occasion Z tsH9&
could not bear any more, and imme-
diately left the room. Half IAN hour
Later Elsie found me crouched upon one
end Of the sofa in our school room cry-
ing as hard as I possibly could She
began to cry too, and declared she
would not go back to the drawing-room
until I accompanied her. Then she
kissed me, and told me Twas dearer to
her than anyone else, apd said she
wished she was half as good or pretty as
Il, and that 1 must excuse her mother,
for she thought more Of style than of
hurting anvone's feelings.
... WE'LL [ said, miss Elsie, since
you desire it so much, will go back,
with you. but it is wholly on your ac-
count, as it would cause so much talk if
you were not to return > SO I dried my
tears, and Elsie did hers, and then we
made our way back to the company.
The rest Of the evening, or night, rath-
er, for our party did not break up till
nearly morning, Elsie was particularly
attentive to me. and I was treated very
civilly by all present., But re]o1ced
in the idea that this was to be the last
time I would be required to appear in
such a formidable company. My hap
piness consisted in nothing of the kind
was Of a retiring nature, and the quiet
days spent alone with Elsie and our
books made up the sum Of my enjoy
ment. Happier than ever now seemed
the days of our studying together in the
lovely school-room under the d.
eections Of our dear governess.
Alas they were past, and Elsie
would go more into society, and,
perhaps, in a little while care less for
my company. How swiftly these
thoughts revolved in my mind, as min
Cling in that august company I strove
to appear at ease, and how glad was
when the guests dispersed and l could
creep to my little room, and there pour
out my tears afresh. '.-.'' ." 'G,'t~~ >
"After this Elsie and her mother
were constantly on the 60, but I had no
desire to accompany them, nor was I
invited. Elsie would gladly have taken
me everywhere she, went, and often on
her return from places she cared moth
ing for going would seek me out the mo-
ment she entered the house to embrace
me and cry in my arms. Then I would
remove her Jewels, undo her hair, lay
her wraps away in the press, and, per-
haps, battle. her temples, feeling quite
happy for the privilege Of doing this.
The position I occupied at the villa was
a very comfortable, easy one, and one
for which I was well paid, SO I had no
cause for complaint, after all. Still,
there slumbered in my bosom that de-
sire for liberty or independence which
is SO dear to all, and which I could not,
as [ was then situated, really enjoy. So /
one day intimated to Elsie that I
thought would leave the villa, for the
purpose of conducting a small private
school for young ladies. which should
be completely under my own insight and
supervision, feeling capable and desir-
Gus Of the undertaking. She at once
began, to sob, and said she could not
hear a word about my leaving her. A
young man was paying attention to her,
and had been for some tune, but 1 did
not know as anything serious would re-
suit from it, until she now told me that
| she would probably be married in about
SIX months, and she wanted me very
much to remain at the villa until after
that event. when we would 20 to her
new home, which was to be a very lux
urious one, and there would be on an
equality with her in every respect, as
would pass for her sister. ~, sane
a@ Glowing her as I did, how could I re-
fuse this request, made. while she tear
fully chung to my neck, and looked so
affectionate]y into my eyes. So I prom
ised to remain, trying to assist her in
every way could until she was mar
ried, and we both went to the city to
live in her new, elegant home, where, as
she had promised, I was introduced to
all her new acquaintance as her own
sister, though I continued to assist her
in various ways as heretofore, for I had
! grown up in that way, and would not
have been happy if I had been denied
that privilege. Everything that money
could procure we both had ; still, after
a short time, I could see Elsie was not
happy. Her husband was disposed to
be crusty at times with her. although to
me he always was very pleasant. This
vexed me, and I treated him coldly. but
the crosser I was to him the more he
seemed to try to court my favor, and he
! often tried to induce me to accompany
him, to places of public amusement,
when Elsie was not going, but I always
had some excuse for staying at home,
and not once did, go anywhere with
him unless his wife was with us, nor
was il often he found a chance to speak
with me when she was not by. She did
not complain to me of his indifference to
her, or say that he was abusive, but I
saw and heard enough before one year
was at an end to know that he was both.
Loving Elsie as I did, I, of course, was
en1aged at his conduct, and I began to
think, perhaps, if I were away from
them, they might be happier, and one
day told him I was going home for
awhile, as my mother was anxious to