The Orangeburg democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1879-1881, 1880-07-09
Mrs. Vcre burst into a ripple of ir-

repressible laughter.
"Floscie," she exclaimed, "he has
mistaken you for tho children's COVER
ness. What will he say when he
learns the truth ?"
And che repeated the conversation
as it had occurred before his leaving
the house. a sudden idea seemed to
seize upon her listener. ''-i''
LET us keep it up, Nannie,'' she
proposed, glcefully. "Wo can tease
him 10 our hearts contcnt,,I will sink
my identity in that Of Miss Hougton.
agd personate him with my atten-
tions. 10. ~ ''i ''.l" =
Eor moment the sisters heart for
gave her., but after all what r real
harm! could do her? and SO it was
agreed, and next morning the chill
dren were presented to their new
igoverness.
., They had anticipated her advent
somewhat rs = reign Of terror. They
now wondered, as the days wore on,
why they had always heretofore been
deprived Of such luxury.
For two hours they were closeted
each morning in Miss lIoughton pret-
ty room, the prettie:t room in the
house mamma had given her; but,
strange to say, brother Fred seemed
to consider it quite the proper thing,
under the circumstances.
For two hours, then, it was their
daily prison-but such n prison can
dies and s!ory-books were generally
distributed, with hut one prohibition,
that when Uncle Fred questioned
them about their studies, they should
not divnlgc to him tie fact that they
were growing Cat and lazy. /
But Uncle Fred was too ob$orhed
IN his own thoughts To watch the chill
dren. For the first time in his life,
he began to- make serious calculations
as to noY far a captains pay 'ni-;hL 20
and whether by.aiy amount Noi stretch
ing, and any improbable bachelor
sacrifices, it might he enabled to snp-
ply two, when heretofore it l,ad i'rcn
considered wholly inadequate Tor.
one. .y ~ 2&Ni "'
81 have sworn l wonlaSneve mar
ry an leircss," he said to himself,
when the household had glided on
without changing I for some three
weeks, "lest the world d1wou)d consid-
er me that dcspicablc thing, fortune
hunter, or that the woman herself
might one day misjudge me; and !
have sworn never to marry poor wo-
man, because it would entail too
much mutual sacrifice. And yet,
wonder if she loves me- wonder if
could make her happy?'
He had found. in these three
weeks, the two morning hours of the.
chil,lren's tasks tie longest Of the
day.
lie had insisted that the governess
looked pale, and prescribed for her II
daily ride. She had no opportunity,
as she laughingly declared, TO persc
cute him with her attentions, but rath-
CT, as time wore on, 10 show them
with certain shyness, new and Tor.
eign to the girls nature.
Meantime the conspirators sa' in
the library, scanning with rcrplcXcd
brows, q letter open before them.
1t announced Miss Houghton's ar
rival on tho evening of that day.
What was 10 bc done? The arch
consplrators solved the question.
'Say you are displeascd with me,
and will return to New York to-
night. The new govcrness will ar
rive. His leave expires in n week.
After lie goes. / will return"
Every like Victor Hugo, my DEAR"
rctorted Mrs. We're, "as to the pilhl-
ness Of your sentences; but ] fear it
won't flow as smoothly as you imag-
ine."
"What does this mcan?" question
ed Captain Osgood, few hours later,
Of his sister. - iiear tho carriage is
ordered for the seven o'clock train 10
take Miss IIougLton 10 the depot"
"Shc is not quite my idea Of gov
erness," meehly and trcmblingly an
swcred Mrs. We're, quailing before his
pale face and flashing eyes.
, He cast upon her the first look of
contempt he had ever given her, and
turned away just in time to catch the
iluttcr OF white dress 'npon the
lawn. Straightway he went toward
it. :.
81 did not mean 10 be abrupt, Miss
IIoughton," he began, when, with
quick strides, he had gained her side.
"but / hear that you must, find anoth-
er home. Would you accept onei if
offered YOU very s. unworthy your
beauty and yonr grace, but guarded
by mans honest love? 1 love you,
darling! will you be my wife, end
share soldier's lfe-a soldiers for
tuncs?' @& 4 b
The rich color flushed into the girls
checks, rs she met the clear,s frank
gaze of the soul-lit eyes. ~
All, she had meant only TO play,
hut she, too, had been burned by tho
D.