Louisiana capitolian., 1880-09-09
HER FIRST VALENTINE.

many weeks i';el lG's8o", dea'h V's''c"
us, and became IN orphan. For many
years | had II hard struggle with the
world for subsistence, butat last ] found
% home that was in some respects, con-
genial. was called to be nursery gov
crncss of two children, the mOtlcrlcSs
twin daughters of Mr.. Melville, IN cnli-
nent lawyer, who llvcd IN ~ snpcrb yillu
near tho metropolis. The nursery was
u grand room, with costly furniture ana
lovely pictures There were wide, pleas
ant windows, archcd ut the top, and IN
lhom deep seats, in which the children
and myself frequently sat, noticing tho
beautiful garden and gorgeous land
scapc. There was stately ho'sekcepcr
in the mansion, who never seemed no
happy ns when she was talking IN lavish
praise of Mr.. Melville. He had lost his
wife some seven years before The time
of my arrival. The past year ho had
been absent in Europe, and was cx-
pcutcd in abou, n month to return.
Ono day, all Of rs sitting by the win
dow, we were surprised ut the sudden
and unexpected appearance of Mr. Mel
vile. A noise nnd hubbub cnsucd, and
little Louise, in the midst Of 1t, cried:
ooh, p,lpn! here is our teacher. Kiss
her, dear papu, we love her ever so
much"
was SO confused | could not even
look up.
"IIush my dear" said the house
keeper in II strange voice; gentlemen
only kiss their little daughters" Then,
addressing Mr.. Melville, she said: 81
vcnturc,l to engage this young person
on good recommendations. She has been
very faithful, and Matte and Louise
seem TO love her dearly. Celia, look
up; this is Mr.. Melville.
Raising my head shyly, | encountered
two dark, shining eyes bcaming down
upon tue. As turned away, caught
sight of the housckccmr's face, and it
turned my blood to ice, for il was full
of malice. Later learned to under
stand it.
soon lost my timi]ity in greeting
Mr.. Melville, and could speak without
stammcring. He would frequently
come into the presence of the children
and myself, and take interest in their
lesson, and play.spells.
These blissful happy years He'd rap
idly. idolizcd The children, and had
their love. The hOnsckcepcr seemed
constantly to watch me-, affecting, how
ever, to be my friend and counselor.
Her advice ts me was TO beware Of Mr..
Melville, and she occasionally dealt ont
hints and insinuations
Suddenly tho secret of her manner
dawncd on mc. She was jealous, and
was in love with Mr.. Melville herself.
One day she had become particularly
angry with me, and could restrain her
self no longer.
ooh. you think yourself Il paragon OF
beauty she cried you think yonl
bright eyes will cnsnare him. How dare
you aspire so high' DO you suppose,
foolsl, girl, that he loves YOU On the
contrary, he secs that you arc infatuated
with him and dc.piscs YOU"
Just then one of tho lOuscmaids open.
cd the door and handed mo u large en-
vclopc, which, she said, had come from
the pOstOilicc that moment. | opened
it with some surprise, for | knew no one
from whom to expect a letter. A pic.
turc, coarscly covered, was inside.
saw that the rough wood cut, painted
III gIaring colors, represented u cir
with one of the most vulgar faces had
ever seen, but with hair the exact hu,
of my own standing admirably before O
mirror. Under the picture was written
"Cclia's portrait A mocking laugl
interrupted me The ho,lsckccpcr hat
been looking over my shoulder. Sh,
said. 81 give you joy of my valentine
know who sent it; it was Mr.. Mel
vile; he told me your airs needed tax
ing down.
The letter fell from my trembling
fingers. rushed wildly from the room
and when reached my own apartment
fell 'writhing to the floor.
Hours after kissed the children a:
they slept, and then gathered together
few nccdful things and waited rest
lessly for the moonlight hour to arrive
At lcngth it came, and l stole noisclessl,
down stairs and left at the servants
door at the side. An impulse led me tt
so around to the front OF tic house, tt
staud upon the porch, aud there to taxi
one farewell look npon ,hr:sconcs loyet