Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1880-10-13

further questlons.' .g.- u. tityl
Mrs. We're burst into a ripple OF re-
pressible laughter. f.... -ai
sFlossle,' she exclaimed, the has
taken YOU for the children's governess.
I.wbat will he say when he learns The
truth?' c. - ~
And she repeated the conversation
as it had occurred before leaving the
house. A sudden idea seemed to seize
upon ber listener. o.
Let US keep it'up. Nannie,' she pro-
posed gleefully. We can tease him to
our hearts content. 1 will sink my
identity in that Of Miss Houghton, and
persecute him with my attentions
For moment the SISTERS heart mis-
gave her, but after all what real harm
could it do hers and so it was agreed,
and next morning the children were
duly presented 10 their new goyerness-
They had anticipated her advent
somewhat as a 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 Houghton's own
pretty morning room (; the prettiest
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 prison! Can
dies and story-bcoks were generously
distributed, with but one prohibition,
that when Uncle Fred questioned them
about their studies they should not
divulge to him the fact that they were
growing fat and lazy.
Rut Uncle Fred was too absorbed III
his own thoughts to watch the children.
For the first time in his life, he began
to make serious calculations as to how
far a captains pay might go,and wheth-
er by any amount Of stretching, and
any Improbable bachelor sacrifices, it
nj ht be enabled to supply two, when
heretofore it had been considered
wholly inadequate for one.
Il have sworn 1 would meyer marry
an beiress,' he said TO himself, when
the househould had glided on without
changing for some three weeks, lest
the world would consider me that de-
spicable thing. a fortune-hunter, or that
the woman herself might one day mis-
Judge me; and have sworn never 10
marry poor woman, because 1t would
entail too much mutual sacrifice. And
vet. and yet, 1 wonder if she loves me
I wonder if l could make her happy
lie had found, in these three weeks
the morning hours Of the children's task
the longest OF the day.
He had insisted that the governeSs
looked pale, and prescibed Tor her
ride. She had no opportunity, as she
had laughingly declared, to persecuts
him with her intentions. but rather, as
time wore on, to show them with GER
tain shyness, new and foreign 10 the
girls nature.
Meantime the consplrators sat in the
library, scanning, with perplexed broTs,
a letter open before them.
Il announced Miss Houghton's arri'
val on the evening of that day.
What was to be done? The arch
cons pirator solved the question.
Say you are displeased with me, and
7 will return to New York Tonight
The new governess will arrive. His
leave expires in week. After he goes
will return
VERY we'll, Victor Hugo, my dear,
reiorted Mrs. We're, as the pithiness
of your sentences but 1 fear 1t won't
flow as smoothly as you imagine.
what does this mean" questioned
Captain Osgood, a few hours later, ol
his sister. i hear the carriage is or
dered for the 6 O'Clock train to take
Miss Houghton to the depot
'She is not quite my idea ola gov
.rpess.' mcekly and tremblingly an
swered Mrs. We're, qualing before his
pale face and flashing eye.
He cast upon her the first look OF
contempt he had ever gwen her, and
turned away just in time to catch the
dniter of a white dress upon the lawn.
stright he went towards it.
'Idid not mean TO be abrupt, Miss
Houghton,' he began, when, with
ouick strides, he had gained her side,
lint I hear that you must find another
home. Would you accept one ii offer
el you-yery unworthy your beauty
and your grace, but guarded by a mans
honest love? 1 love you, darling
Will you be my wife and share SOL
dier's life-a soldiers fortunes"
The rich color flushed into the girls
cheeks. as she met the clear, frank
gaze Of the soul.Gt eyes.
All. she had meant only to play, but
she too, had been burned by the fire's
fierce fame
You offer me this from pity, Cap
tain Osgood,' she said, in low trembl'
ing tones. L appreciate your noble
generosity, but l must not accept IT.
From pity?' he questioned. DC
men pity thusP Look in my eyes-do yot
read pity there? Listen to my voice
| is it pity moves it? Let my past speai
for my future. Has pity actuated 1t
Oh, my love, tell me that you love me