The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1880-08-07

trying this one and that, and went down at
lust to breakfast, looking, to Mr.. Raymond's
artist eyes, which took her in at glance
like wild rose just out of thicket, with
the dcwy morning brightness brimlning in
her brown eyes, the pink rose petals in her
cheeks, and soft, warm, shimmcring sun
beams woven into the ripple Of her brown
hair. How his artist fingers longed for
canvass and colors, to give to his beloved
st. Agnes that beautiful hair!
But the wild rose might as we'll have
been blooming in her nativ0 thickct. In
vain Martie peeped from the front win.
dows, and held her breath when the front
door bell rang. No ono came to see the
gray dress that morning.
The black dress Jared better. It was
called upon; and Martie went down to the
parlor, with her heart in her mouth, to
meet the grand lady whose carriage and
dashing horses she had watched as they
drew up in splendid style before the house.
But, alas Nlartle was not experienced, and
Nlartle was too young, and, though madame
did not say 80, Martie was too pretty, for
there was grown up son in the family,
and to set youth and beauty before him ia
the shape of young govcrness would be
tempting Providence. Madame was very
sorry, hoped this and that, and swept
gracefully out to her carriage, while Mar
tic mounted with rather slow stop. to her
little four-story room, to watch and wait,
and wonder if anybody would find her too
young. She was not to blame for 1t, any
how, she said to herself, trying to coax a
laugh.
No one else came that day, but the next
morning there was an early call for ''the
lady who advertised" Martie was glad
she had on the gray dress; perhaps she
looked older in it. But gray or black was
all the same; she was again weighed in the
balance and found wanting-not in years
this time, but In German; and as one weary
hour after another went by, and no other
applicants appeared, Martie grew heavy.
hearted. Her advertisement was to appear
for three days. Two had already passed,
resulting only in disappointment. Mrs.
Allen tried to encourage her, but when
night came, and the six o'clock dinner,
Martic felt sad and homcsick.
~ hope no one has made arrangements
to carry you off just yct," Mr.. Raymond
said, rs he took scat beside her at their
end of the long table.
"NO," said Martie. "No one wants me.
I'm too young, and don't know German" I"
And big round tear rolled over into her
tea-cup.
''There's no cause for encouragement in
that, assure YOU" SAID MIR. Raymond.
IL know people who would not find fault
with you On either score"
Then he went on talking to her in such
a pleasant way that she soon became inter
ested, forgot all her troubles and the tear
IN her tea-cup, and was as merry as though
she had been older and had known German
MIR. Raymond stayed down stairs until
ten o'clock, read aloud an old-timc tireside
story, and kept the ball of conversation
rolling in such pleasant channels that the
evening was gone before Martie knew it,
and in spite Of all her disappointment it
had somehow been the plcasantest one she
had spent there.
The next morning lady came to see
Martie III behalf Of her motiler-in.law, and
Martle engaged to go on tic following day
to see the place and people.
There was no poetry about Mrs. Myrick.
She was pure, unadulterated; wanted her
girls to have good. strong cddication--no
jimcrachs, no furrln language to jabber in.
She VAS willing 10 pay good wages
would give govclness e20 year and her
board; but she mustn't expect much wait
ing on. They didn't keep any servants
didn't need any; pity 'twould be if two
hearty girls like hers couldn't do their own
work.
Poor Martic. She would not say no at
once, because this was, thus far, her only
chance; 80 she promised to give an answer
soon, and went back to her own room
praying baaven to send her something bet
ter.
She thought her prayer was answered
whcnt gentleman called that evening,
talked with her about her three little girls,
and seen ed well satisfied with the modest
account she gave of herself. He was very
particular about music, however, and
would be glad to hear Miss Woodbridge
play. Their interview had taken place in
the kindly shelter of the quiet little rccep-
ton room; but the piano was in the big
parlor, and in there the professor and the
Rev. Paul Apolos were discussing earth
and heaven. The Colonel was stalking
about, showing off his martha! figure; and
the Young bride, by the side of her new
lord, was holding court in the midst of
lively circle Of callers.
''Shy, bashful Marticl how could she
play before llthcsc people? Poor, timid
little wren, that had just crept from under
the mothcr-wing and flown out of her nest!
Gould she show what sweet music she
knew how to make with crowd of listen
crs2
There were none of tho airs and graccs
Of the pounding young woman about
Nartic, as she dropped down upon the
piano stool and took a moments grace be. |
lore entering upon the dreadful odeal. |
Twas no use waiting. but oh, If the gen
;leman would but sit down. Why will he |
stand beside her and watch her poor fright
,ncd fingers as they trip and stumble, give
wild jump for a distant note, miss it,
make dive for one octave and light on
another, and at last lose their way alto
sether, and go on chasing each other up
md down the key board. Martie knows
he piece she is trying to play as well as
VIC knows her name, but il all flies out of |
Ter head and slips away from her fingers,
md she ends at last with finale of lcr
own improv,sing, feeling her hair stand up
straight on her head as she does it.
The gentleman was "much Obliged" left