The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1880-10-08

nfSL went 10 COUSIN GeOHrey Tor \
counsel; for you know with an-
ether still lovelier blush, " we are
engaged. aud ! thought perhaps he
conld find some position for you
without delay, he bad SO many in
fiuential friends, but do you know,
dear-I bate to tell you, it is so
horrid-Geoffrey actually declared
that he doubted your honesty y
PoorChristine dropped her proud
head with gasp of pain.
Yes, was it not dreadful y AT
ter that, OF course, | would have
scorned his help, as told him ON
your behalf. But, fortunately, |
know of this Mrs. Harcourt, who
wants governess at once TO go
abroad with her, SO l went to her
again without delay, recommended
you as you deserved, satisfied all
her scruples, aud you are to 90 to
her this very evening, aud the day
after tomorrow you will sail for
Italy,
The lovely flower like face dropped
beneath her words as from II cruel
blow, srlrred no throb of pity in
Hilda's false heart, though her
voice assumed u more tender tone
as she continued:
$50 you must cheer up dear,
aud look lite brayely in the tace
again. Once away from this horrid
city, with its thousand cruel
tongues, you will forget your trou-
ble, aud with your youth and beau
~ you will win the heart of some
rich foreigner or other. Goodbye "
Aud the traitress stopped and
kissed her.
Christine took the situation of.
fered her, aud entered on her duties
with an aching heart, at the very
hour when Geotirey, his breast
burning with u tender love, was
hasteniug toward her humble home
determined to put his fate to test
aud ask her to be his wife.
Urgent business had taken him
from town Immediately after his in-
tervlew with Hilda, and she had
time TO mature her plan and to see
it accomplished before his return.
His surprise and chagrin may be
imagined when he found her gone,
and all bis inquiries could elicit no
information about her.
AT last in despair, he resorted to
Ililda.
ado you know what has become
Of Miss Verne I"
She arched her eyebrows.
"How should | know, not having
your interest in her welfare |!
Should | repeat what rumor says,
| should almost fear you would stay
me,r and she shrugged her grace
ful shoulders proyokingly.
"Tell me what you have heard"
he said, sternly, with compressed
lips.
"Only that she and Signor Rue
cini, her old music master, who was
always such an ardent aduirer of
hers, in spite of pretty little Mrs.
Ruccini aud the three babies, dis
appeared from the city on the same
day, aud some gentleman, who is
maWeless, saw two persons bearing
a striking resemblance to the run
aways, walking arm in arm in a
most confidential manner, in Brigh
ton yesterday"
"a foul, base slander! Who was
the man who dared say this thing
He shall retract his false words oil
die y
Hilda, laughed musically.
/" / said he was namelcss. AS
; have told you all | know on th'
subject, suppose we select a NOR
pleasant theme of conversation
J Did you have in pleasant trip t.
Manchester
r And all of Geoffrey's inquire
could elicit no further information
n on the subject. AT last he fell int
4 settled gloom, and went abroa'
!, to seek relief in change aud trave
q And Miss Verne, the governess
4 after the first strangeness OF he
o position wore of, took up the burd
9 en- of life again with a brave spirit
Her little charges soon learned t
/ love her, and beings a true woman
, her loving heart went out to theI
n in deep tenderness, and she dali
r thanked Hilda De Vere's klndnes
If iu obtaining for her the posltio
e she occupied.
W But there was one drop of worn
II wood which time seemed powerles
to soften. That Geotfrey Brandon
d the man to whom she had given h'
er heart in those old days-whos
r. look, tone aud manner had so oftt
told her she was beloved oy hlm-
Is should have turned against her
her sore distress and trouble
ri should have doubted her honest
OF was hard blow to bear.
Doubtless, ere this, dear Hil'
ne was his wife, and even the pain
th his cruel treachery grew less shal
a as the months rolled away III bea
il. tlful Italy, and she was permltt'
ar to bask in the glory of that beau
d. tul land.
a Until one day, in a picture q
lery, in Rome, she met him lace
DIV face.
ur She tried to escape him, but |