Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1880-03-06

What nonsense, mammal"
Cieona retorted, looking fiefcely
at the physician. at will not
hurt her to be moved nearly as
much as il will for us to keep her
here. She is nothing but the
children'S governess; she had bet
| ter die, even, than risk all our
lives any longer. You will super
intend her removal to-day" she
added, imperiously, to DIR. Leth-
bridge.
He looked coldly, almost furi-
ou ,ly at Miss Carriscourt's face as
she spoke. Then he bowed and
answered quietly:
Il beg to agree with you. This
poor suffering child had better
die than remain among such in
human people"
And DR.. Lethbridge personally
superintended Minnie's transfer
not to the hospital, but to his own
house, where his lovely white
haired mother and his sister open
ed their hearts to the girl, and
nursed her back to health and
and strength, and the sweetest
happiness that ever came TO
| girls heart, for Hugh Lethbridge
| asked her to be his wife.
And the memory of these brief
days was hidden away beneath
the glad sunshine of her beautiful
new life, and Minnie in her new
home was proud and honored and
beloved as queen.
The years passed-as years have
trick of passing-bringing their
burdens of joy and sorrow, and to
Hugh Lethbridge and his wife
there were only land marks of
content to mark their flight.
Three dear children had come
to them, and matron Minnie was
even fairer and sweeter than the
maiden had been for she had been
benefited by the stern discipline
of earlier days.
And as the years went by DIR.
Lethbridge grew famous and
rich. until there was no luyuries
that he was obliged to refuse his
wife or family-and one of those
coveted luxuries was resident
governess at the home of the chill
dren.
II remember my own governess
days so well, DEAR" Minnie said
one day to her husband, when
they were discussing the feasibili.
ty of securing one. ~ feel as II L
never could be kind enough to
amp one in such position in my
house. And yet all the happiness
of my life resulted from my posi-
ton in Mrs. Carriscourt's ia mily.'
And she looked the great, unut-
terable love sheshad for him, and
DIR. Lethbridge kissed her lovely
upturned face tenderly,
lady, who Allison recommended,
shall l, Minnie? He says she is
of good family, and in very re-
duced circumstances. Her h us
band was miserable, drunken
fellow, and she has to support
both herself and her invalid moth
err. 1t would be cha rity,I suppose;
but, of course, we must also look
at our own interest"
But the decision was 10 employ
the widow lady Allison so conf
IDENTIFY recommended, and day
or so afterward an interview was
arranged.
1t wasjust at the dusk of a win
ter's afternoon that the servant
announced to DIR. Lethbridge and
his wife that lady wished to see
them in the parlor-the lady
whom Mr.. Allison had sent-and
Minnie and her husband went
down to meet her-tall, pale,
bearing the unmistakable traces
of misery and sorrow on her face
-Cleona Carriscourt.
Minnie gave a little exclamation
of astonishment.
as it possible? Miss Carris-
court"
She interrupted quietly:
Mrs. Fletcher-Mrs. GeOffry
Fletcher. And you are little Min
ME Velsor. Ihad no ideal had
no ideal had forgotten DIR. Leth-
BRIDGES name-of course, / can
not have the position. 1t would
hardly be natural that'you should
wish to befriend me-"
Mrs. Fletcher turned toward the
door her face pale and piteous, her
voice bitter and wailing.
Doctor Lethbridge looked stern
ly after her; but Minnie shot
him an appealing glance before
she stepped toward the departing
woman.
"Wait, just a moment, please?
/ was so surprised, Mrs. Fletcher,
Pray sit down, you are in trouble.
/ know the doctor will be glad to
| aooicf won