The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1880-03-25

meant that [ was to sit here u little while.
Please excuse me; l will not como AGAIN. "
ller voice was sweet, and Just little
nervous, and she instantly crossed the room,
followed by Cleona's cold, cutting words,
every one Of which brought sharp thrill
of modification and pain to her.
"Bc careful you make no more such mis-.
takes, girl. Your place is among the hired
help, and not in the parlor. BE good
enough to remember that"
And even Godfrey Flctcher's callous
heart gave thrill of sympathy at sight of
tho scarlet pain on the sweet, young face
once safe in her room, poor little Minnie
fought and conquered her first battle with
fate.
cpl not be crushed by my first expert
cnce, she decided, rcsolutely, an hour Or
80 after, when her breast yet hcavcd with
convulsive sighs, and her eyes were all
swollen from crying. 'I will not give it
up and rush homo to mamma-my first
impulse. | will cndcavcr to cons,ruc pco-
pie less literally, and keep n,y place"
But there came flush to her checks that
all her brave philosopmzing could not con-
troll, at the memory of Clcona Carrscourt's s
cool insOlcnCc.
"ld not have spoken so to dog" Min
nic said as sho repressed the bitter tears
that sprang in wounded indignation to her
blue eyes.
After that there was no shadow of an
opportunity given by Manie for Mrs.
Cariscourt or Cleona to lay any blame to
her charge.
She performed her duties as no COVER.
ness had ever performed them, and the
twins progressed to their mothers complete
satisfaction.
Minnie never was seen in the rooms Of the
family, but lived entirely TO herself, taking
her solitary little walks when the DAYS
duties were ended, aud disciplining herself
into an nnconscious!y unscltish, brave,
patient woman.
Her letters home were bright and cheer
ful--until one day Mrs. Velsor was Mortified
to learn that her darling was dangerously
ILL.,, that the fever had come suddenly upon
her, and that in fear and sclfishness, Mrs.
Paul st. Eustacc Carriscourt had insisted
that the raving girl be taken from her house
to the hospital.
"It will kill her to move her." DR.. Lcth-
bridge had demonstrated Indignantly.
"What nonsense, mammal Clcona re-
torted, looking ticrcely at the physician
"lt will not hurt her to be moved nearly as
much as it will for us to keep her here
She is nothing but the childrcn's govcrncss;
she had better die, even, than to risk all our
lives any longer. You will please superin-
tend her removal to-day" she added, i'm
pcriously, to DR.. Lethbridge.
lie looked coldly, almost furiously, at
Miss Carriscourt's face as she spoke. Then
he bowed, and answered quietly:
II beg to agree with you. This Door,
suffering child had better die than remain
among such inhuman people,"
And DR.. Lcithbridge personally SUPER
intended Minnic's transfer-not to the hos
pital, but to his own house, where his love-
ly, whltc-haired mother and his sister
opened their hearts TO the girl, and nursed
her back TO health and strength, and-thc
sweetest happiness that ever came to girls
heart, for Hugh Lcthbridgc asked her to be
his wife.
And the memory of those brief days was
hidden away beneath the glad sunshine of
her beautiful now life, and Minnie in her
new home was proud and honored and be-
loved as queen.
The years passed-as years have trick
OF passing bringing their burdens of Joy
and sorrow, and to Hugh Lethbridge and
his wife there were only landmarks of con-
tent to mark their flight.
Three dear children had come to them,
and matron Minnie was even falror and
swceter than the maiden had been, for she
had been benefited by the stern discipline
of earlier days.
And as the years went by DR.. Lethbridge
grew famous and rich, until there were no
comforts or lnxnries he was obliged to re-
fuse to his wife or famil ily-and one Of those
coveted Injuries was resident governess
at the home OF the children.
II remember my own govcrncss days so
we'll, DEAR" Minnie said one day to her
husband, when they were discussing the
feasibility Of securing one. 81 feel as If l
never could Ike kind enough to any one in
such position in my house. And yet all
the happiness Of my life resulted from my
position in Mrs. Carriscourt's family
And she looked the great unu,tcrable love
she had for him, and Dr. Lcthbridgc kissed
her lovely upturned face tenderly.
''Thcn will take this widow lady, whom
Allison recommended, shall I, Minnie 2
He says she is of good family, and in very
reduced circumstances. Her husband was
a miserable, drunken fellow, and she has
to support both herself and her Invalid
mother. 1t would be charity, suppose;
hut, of course, We must also look to our
own interests"
But the decision was to employ the wild
ow lady Allison, 30 confidently recommend
cd, and day or 80 aftorward an interview
was arranged.
It was just at the dusk of winters af.
ternoon that the servant announced to Dr..
Lethbridge and his wife that lady wished
to sec them in the parlor--the lady whom
Mr.. Allison had scnt--and Minnie and her
husband went down to meet her-tall, pale,
bearing the unmistakably traces Of misery
and sorrow on her face-Cleona Carris.
court.
Minnie gave little exclamation Of as.
tonshment.i
'Is it possiblc2 Miss Carriscourt--''
Sho interrupted quietly: 7t
''N1rs. Fletcher-Mrs. Geoffrey Fletcher.
And you are little Minnie Velsor. had
no idea-Iha forgotten Doctor Lethbridgc's
name-of course, cannot have. the posi-.
ton. 1t would hardly be natural that you
should wish to befriend me-"
Mrs. Fletcher turned toward the door,