The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1880-09-10
Her First Valentine.

and she, failing in health, had been
compelled to take her bed in early
winter. Before many weeks had
passed, death visited us, and l be-
came an orpan. For. many years
/ had a hard struggle with the
world for subsistence, but at last |
found a home that was, in some re-
spects, cougenial. l was called to
be nursery governess OF two chill
dren, the motherless twin daugh-
tiers of Mr.. Melville, an eminent
lawyer, who lived in a superb villa
near the metropolis. The nursery
was a grand room, with costly
furniture and lovely pictures. There
were wide, pleasant windows, arch
ed at the top, and in them deep
seats, in which the chilcren aud
myself frequently sat, noticing
the beautiful garden and gorge
ous landscape. There was a staie-
ly housekeeper in the mansion,
who never seemed so happy as
When she was talking in lavish
praise of Mr.. Melville. BE hal
lost his wife some seven years he
fore the time of my arrival. The
past year he had been absent in
Europe. aud was expected in about
month to return.
One day, all of us sitting by the
window, we were surprised at the
sudden aud unexpected appearance
of Mr.. Melville. A noise aud hub.
bub eusued, and little Louise, in
the midst of it, cried:
"Oh, papa! here is our teacher.
Kiss her, dear papa, We love her
ever so much.'
| WAS SO confused | could not
even look up.
"Hush, my dear~ said the
housekeeper, in a strange voice |;
4" gentlemen only kiss their little
daughters Then, addressing Mr.
Melville, she said 81 ..ventured to
engage this young person on good
recommendations. She has been
very faithful, and Mattieand Louise
seem to love her dearly. Celia,
look up; this is Mr.. Melville"
Rising my bead shyly, l lencoun'
tered two dark, shining eyes beam.
ing down upon me. As | turned
away, | caught sight of the house.
Keepers face, and it turned my
blood to ice, tor it was full OF ma.
lice. Later / learned to understand
it.
| soon lost my timidity in greet
lug Mr.. Melville, and could speak
without stammering. He would
frequently come into the presence
of the children and myself, and
take an interest in their lessons and
play.spells.
These blissful, happy years fled
rapidly. / holized the children,
and had their love. The house
keeper seemed constantly to watch
me, affecting, however, to be my
/ friend and counselor. Her advice
| to me was to beware Of MIR. Mel
vile, and she occasionally dealt out
hints and insinuatioDs.
Suddenly the secret OF her man
ner dawned OH me. She was jeal
Gus, and was in love with Mr.. Mel
willie herself. One day she had be
come particularly angry Will
me, and could restrain herself nc
longer.
"OhL you think yourself para
gon of beauty she cried ; "yot
think your bright eyes will ensnart
him. How dare sou aspire so high
| Do YOU suppose, foolish girl, tha
he loves yoni On the contrary, h,
sees that you are infatuated will
him, and despises you n
Just then one of the housemald'
opened the door and handed me
large envelope, which, she said, ha'
come from the postoflice that mo
ment. Iopened it in some surprise
for | knew no one from whom t.
expect a letter. A picture, coarse
liz covered, was inside. l saw tha
the rough, wood cut, painted II
glaring colors, represented q CIR
with one of the most vulgar faces
had ever seen, but with hair the OK
: act hue of my own, standing admlI
ably before a mirror. Under th
picture, was written, "Celia's poi
trait.r A mocking laugh Interrupt
ed me. The housekeeper had bee
looking over my shoulder. Sh
said, II give you Joy of your va
entine. know who sent it; it wa
Mr.. Melville; he told me your ali
needed taking down."
The letter fell from my tremblln
, fingers. l rushed wildly from th
, room, and when | reached my ow
|, apartments / fell writhipg to th
floor.
Hours after I kissed the childre
, as they slept, and then gathered t
! gether q few needful things an
!. waited restlessly for the midnigl
hour to arrive. At length 1t cam
, and | stole noiselessly down stall
and leftIat the servants door at til
side. An impulse led me to
! around to the front OF the house,
stand upon the porch, aud there
; take one last farewell look upo
, the scenes l loved I'D dearly. Viii
| I stood there the library wiudo
j. opened softly. and out stepped M
q Melville. standing 10 the moonligl
and looking straight 10 my face.
\ 1 4.