The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1880-07-22
THE YOUNG MISTRESS.


tory, French windows and broad piazza
web, there the Rushtons lived, when I
was young, and my home was in the lit
tie buff house near by, and my father
carried on the Rushton farm, my
mother attending to the dairy.
"They had one child, Elsie, three
months younger than myself, and among
my earliest recollections she figures
largely. As she was frail child, and
not disposed to play much out of doors
unless was with her, her mother en-
couraged my frequent visits to her
house, although she early taught me to
think was not her daughters equal
She was q very naughty woman, and I
always dreaded to encounter her, but to
me tho pleasure of Elsie's company
atoned for any amount Of disagreeable-
ness on her mothers part, and, as I did
not have to see her every time I went to
the big house, I got along very we'll.
"Miss Barton, the governess, was the
one had the most to do with, and she
was always very pleasant to me. Under
her tuition Elsie and I learned to read
together, and afterward pursued all our
studies under her guidance in the pretty
school-room, which, to this day. seems
to me the loveliest spot L ever was in.
It was on the southeast corner of the
house the large bay window was con-
stantly filed with tropical plants, which
it seemed to me were never out of
bloom then the sun came streaming in
the whole day through, for the doctor
said this was better than drugs for little
Elsie; the canary and hooking birds
sang from their silver cages, and tho
gold fish and their happy companions
tloated around in the crystal globe sus-
pended from the ceiling, tistractn1g our
attention, of course, and somewhat re-
tarding the progress Of our studies but
for one like Elsie everything around
must be made to assume the most cheer
full aspect. And even I was allowed to
be there for the same reason that the
birds and the aquarium were, to add
another feature pleasing to the eyes
and heart of the child OF fortune, for She
would neither study nor play in my ab-
sence.
*'iou nave two little girls straR-
gers would say who came to the villa, as
it was called.
"No, the tow-healed one is not
mine, Mrs. Rushton would reply she
is only my Elsic's little maid, in pros
pective. Of course, they plny and study
together now
"This she would say with naughty
toss OF her head, and as often rs other
wise the one addressed would add
Well, she is a pretty child
: "Once, Oh hearing her mother speak
50, I said to Elsie: your mamma
says nm to be your maid, but I don't
care much, for then I can always be
with YOU
" You need not be my maid,' replied
Elsie; you shall be my little sister,
Lucy
"Then repeated to my mother what
Mrs. Rushton said, and she kept me
away from the big house two OF three
days ; but Elsie fretted and pined so for
me that Mrs. Rushton sent for me, and
then she took us both ont riding in the
grand carriage, talking very pleasantly
to me, and bought me nice new doll
After this there was no parting Elsie
and I, and we grew up together, my adj,
vantages for an education being not a
whit less than hers. But that We were
not socially equal was q fact that i'm
pressed me more and more forcibly wear
by year. Mrs. Rushton's prophecy was
becoming true. AS 1ay affection for
Elsie increased, which it seemed to
every day of my life, and she was very
fragile and helpless, I naturally took to
waiting upon her until I unconsciously
drifted into kind of attendant. When
we were going to ride, I took charge of
her shawl and bundles, I carried her
books when We went to the piano to
practice arranged her lair, adjusted
!. her dress, in short acted the part of a
subordinate at all times. And, when we
were grown up, although I had been
given the same advantages for IN edu-
cation, and compared in looks and ap-
pearance with Elsie, was in no sense
'on an equality with her. But, when by
ourselves, our fondness for each other
was so great that we felt like sisters;
and, we were parted for q day, it
seemed as if either could hardly survive
the separation. Thus, to crafty Elsie
in her affection for me; Mrs. Rushton
wished me to remain with them. and
furnished me clothes and money to my
HEARTS content so, Notwithstanding the
Sights 1 had to endure, I had not, in
view OF my great love for Elsie, any real
excuse for leaving them.
Elsie was given great party on her
18th birthday, making me little cast
down, as my own birthday of that age
had three months previously passed
without particular notice from anyone,
except present of new silk dress from
Elsie. This dress, I afterward learned
from the donor, was to be worn at her
party, at which she said I must be pres
ent as guest. This was the first Of her
coming out, and I presume Mrs. Rushton
thought my presence would act as a
stimulant to Elsie on the occasion, and,
for this reason, allowed me to be pres
ent apparently on IN equal footing with
themselves. So was permitted to play
duets with Elsie, to sing for the enter
tainment Of the company, although no
one had taken the pains to Introduce
me to but few Of number. as Elsie was
too bashful and Mrs. Rushton too,
proud. A part of the ladies' had seen
before, and, as they knew the position I
occupied at the villa, I naturally felt
very humble in their presence. Others,
who knew nothing Of me, inquired who
was OF Mrs. Rushton, and overheard
her saying to one lady, 'Oh, she is only
Elsie's privileged maid, who, for this
once, is acting the part Of a guest =.
II you had not told me this should
seys she is IN accomplished, elegant
young lady. How finely she plays and
- how sweetly she singsr
"'Well, she has been brought up
here, having the benefit of our gov
'erness' Instructions
.""That accounts for it, then,' replied
the aristocratic lady, looking at me
SHARPLY. -
"' Yes, but we cannot think of making
an equal Of her it was only to crafty a
wlllm OF Elsie's that I consented to her
being present on this OCCASION
>, :" could bear any more, andimme-
''diately left the room. Half nm hour
later Elsie found me crouched upon one
end Of the sofa in our school-room cry-
> ing as hard as possibly could. Sic
20 began to cry too, and declared she
would not go back to the drawing-room
until L accompanied her. Then she