Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1880-03-25

Please excuse me; | will not come again.
Her voice was sweet, and just it'll
nervous, and she instantly crossed the room
followed by Cleona's cold, cutting words
every one of which brought sharp thr
of modification and pain to her.
"Be careful you make no more such mis-
takes, girl. Your place is among the hire
help, and not in the parlor. BE goo
enough to remember that"
And even Geoffrey FletCher's Gallon
heart gave thrill of sympathy at sight o
the scarlet pain on the sweet, young face.
Once safe in her room, poor little Mimi
fought and conquered her first battle witt
fate.
''l'll not be crushed by my first expert
ence," she decided, resolutely, an hour O
SO after, when her breast yet heaved will
convulSive sighs, and her eyes were al
swollen from crying. 81 will not give i
up and rush home to mamma-my frs
impulse. | will endeaver to construe peo
pie less literally, and keep my place.
But there came flush to her cheeks thai
all her brave philosophlzing could not con.
troll, at the memory of Cleona CarriScourt' ;.
cool insolence.
I'D not have spoken so to a dog Min.
ME said, as she repressed the bitter tears
that sprang in wounded Indignation to hel
blue eyes.
After that there was no shadow of an
opportunity given by Minnie for Mrs.
Carriscourt or Cleona to lay any blame to
her charge.
She performed her duties as no COVER
ness had ever performed them, and the
twins progressed to their mothers complete
satisfaction.
Minnie never was seen in the rooms of the
family, but lived entirely TO herself, taking
her solitary little walks when the DAYS
duties were ended, and diSciplining herself
into an unconsciously unSeltish, brave,
patient woman.
Her letters home were bright and cheer
ful-until one day Mrs. Velsor was Mortified
to learn that her darling was dangerously
i'll, that the fever had come suddenly upon
her, and that in fear and selfshness, Mrs.
Paul st. Eustace CArriscourt had insisted
that the raving girl be taken from her house
to the hospital.
''lt will kill her to move her." Dr. Lcth-
bridge had demonstrated Indignantly.
''What nonsense, mamma. Clcona re-
torted, looking tiercely at the physician.
at will not hurt her to be moved nearly as
much as it will for us to keep her here
She is nothing but the children's governess;
she had better die, even, than to risk all our
lives any longer. You will please superin-
tend her removal to-day" she added, i'm
periously, to DR.. Lethbridge.
He looked coldly, almost furiously, at
Miss Cariscourt' face as she spoke. Then
he bowed, and answered quietly:
~ h" Eli :" gTr"GG rec with you. This poor,
among such inhuman people. ,'''' 'N'''''---
And DR.. Leithbridge personally super
intended Minnie S transfer-not to the hos
pital, but to his own house, where his love-
ly, whlte-haired mother and his sister
opened their hearts to the girl, and nursed
her back to health and strength, and-the
sweetest happiness that ever came to girl 5
heart, for Hugh Lethbridge asked her 10 be
his wife.
And the memory of those 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 be-
loved as a 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 landmarks of con-
tent to mark their flight.
Three dear children had come to them,
and matron Minnie was even farrer and
sweeter than the maiden had been, for she
had been benefited by the stern discipline
cf earlier days.
And as the years went by DR.. Lethbridge
grew famous and rich, until there were no
or luxuries he was obliged to re-
fuse to his wife or family-and one Of those
coveted luxuries was resident governess
at the home OF the children.
II remember my own governess days so
well, DEAR" Minnie said one day to her
husband, when they were. discussing the
feasibility of securing one. 81 feel as if
never could Ike kind enough to any one in
such position in my house. And yet all
the happiness Of my life resulted from my
position in Mrs. Carriscourt's family,
And she looked the great unutterable love
she had for him, and DR.. Lethbridge kissed
her lovely upturned face tenderly.
Then will take this widow lady, whom
Allison recommended, shall |, Minnie! !
He says she is of good family, and in very
reduced circumstances. Her husband was
a miserable, drunken fellow, and she has
to support both herself and her Invalid
mother. 1t would be charity, suppose;
but, of course, we must also look to our
own interests"
But the decision was to employ the wild
ow lady Allison, so confidently recommend
ed, and day or so afterward an interview
was arranged.
1t was just at the dusk of winters af-
ternoon that the servant announced to DR..
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 Enthusiastically traces of misery
and sorrow on her face-CleOna Carris-
court.
Minnie gave little exclamation of as
tonishment.
els it possible? Miss Carriscourt-"
She interrupted, quietly:
''Mrs. Fletcher-Mrs. Geoffrey Fletcher.
And you are little Minnie Velsor. had
no oidea-Ihad forgotten Doctor Lethbridge'
name-of course, l cannot have the posi-
ton. 1t would hardly be natural that you
should wish to befriend me"
Mrs. Fletcher turned toward the door
her pale face piteous, her voice bitter anc
waillng.
Doctor Lethbridge looked sternly after
her: but Minnie shot him an appealing
glance before she stepped toward the de
parting woman.