The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1880-09-04
Was she a Coward.

Mrs Christine put her gold eyeglasses
on, and looked long and critically at Josie
Warren, walking lcisurcly along on tho
bluff, with little Lacy Grosvenor beside her,
and Flossie trotting on ahead, nearly OBJ
scured by her wide leghorn hat, and her
sand-pail and shovel.
"a very pretty girl, and really quite
stylish" she said, patronizingly. II dare
say she is quite treasure in her way, my
dear Where did you pick her up2 She
Is really too pretty for nursery COVER
ness"
Little Mrs. Grosvenor looked after Josie's
rctreating figure, slight flush of conscious
ness On her face.
cit is certainly very absurd, Mrs Christie,
but am actually afraid Claude is falling
In love with her."
She gave little hysterical laugh, partly
on account Of her own fears, partly because
of the unfelgncd horror on Mrs. Christie's
face, as she laid down her glasses and
looked the amazement and dismay she
really felt.
mo! Doctor Carey in love with his sis
ter's hired governess-and a nursery gov
erness at that Mabel, you horrify me ~
''Ihero is nothing so terrible about it
at least, so Claude says" she returned, dis
c n 'o:atcly. "Ofcoursc Josie is very
refined lady-likc girl, and undoubtedly very
lovely IN appearance and disposition.
But"
II should think it was but" Mrs Chris
tic said, vigorously. ''The idea of Claude
Carey with his position in society, in the
medical world, with his wealth, his popu-
iarlty, turning his attention to an obscure,
nameless girl Is your brother insane2"
Little Mrs. Grosvcnor lookes& thought
fully out on the bay, sparkling and dlmp-
ling in the hot July sun.
81 am not sure | think so much about
such things, and Of course Claude has an
undoubted right to seek his happines when
AMI VII % "e prefers. But Josie Is rather
peculiar. Imcan she-not that l do not
quite like her, but she is-sle rather likes
to affect little frightened airs, to appeal to
people to assure her everything is all right,
and particularly to Claude"
perhaps don't quite understand you,
Mabel. You mean to say Miss Warren is a
coward, baby, or simply airish and SCI
fshI-eithcr Of which qualities condemn
her."
Mrs. Grosvenor puckcrcd up her pretty
little forehead, then suddenly relaxed into
merry little laugh.
Judge for yourself. The last day Claude
ran down from his patients for day with
us, lie happened to leave the key Of that
walnut case you have seen in the hall by
his room In the lock, and Lacy unfastened
1t, not knowing it contained some rather
ghastly specimens of the human structure
things Claude had sent down to oblige
one o. his professional friends in the viii
iagee,, itae, and Josie shrjckcd and tainted, and
SUpo Inv,
Mrs Christine looked stern and contcnp-
tuously.
"a pretty piece of acting, aud very
flimsy p
''She refuses to battle, because she's
afraid of the untlcrtow. She will not 20
sailing Or grabbing, for fear of being upset.
She never rides, because the horses might
run away; she is worse than either Lacy or
Flossie. When it thunders and lightens,
and, if even caterpillar or spider gets
on her, she turns white as death. What is
1t, Mrs. Chrstic-fcar or airishncss9"
And that wise lady answered, solemn
ly:
lit is neither nervousness or cowardli-
ness; 1t Is disgusting atfcctation, because
your brother happens to be a physician,
who can be called to allay her agitation.
am surprised ut Clnud-s. u.r-p Used at
Claudes fancy for her."
And while this discussion was progress
ing, Josie Warren and the little Grosvcnors
wele getting farther and away down the
breezy bluff, the brisk salt air bringing
vivid roses to her cheeks usually 80
dainty pcachy in their tint.
She was certainly very lovely, and
credit to Doctor Carey's discriminating
taste. She was slender and graceful, with
a certain nnconsciousncss of manner that
was her chicfcst charm. There was Just
the most bcwitching look of tender appeal
In her soft gray eyes. and an air of flank
dependence in everything she did--somc-
thing almost dcfinablc-somcthing that
made you think of IL clinging ivy-vine, or
the bDushroscs that needed q trellis to sun
port their fragrant bloom.
You promised to take us to Lily Island.
Miss Warrcn," Lacy said, coaxingly.
''Can't we go nOwf z"
'Tm afraid not, she said pleasantly. 81
did not ask your mother If she would allow
us to walk so far; and besides, Lacy,
think sho would enjoy going, too. Sup
pose we 90 back and see about t2"
ITO Lily Island? Pm not sure you had
better - Children" Mrs. Grosvcnor aaid,
undecidc, ly ''lts long walk and ,he
sun Is hot"
but we needn't walk, mamma" Lacy
urged eagerly. ''Bertie Rowland said he'd
row you, and Flossic, and his Aunt Annie
In his boat; and Miss Warren and I can
Walk--can't we, Miss Warren We don't