Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1881-12-23
RecompenSe That Returns.

have come TO ask yOur advice,
Annie" said Mary Carter, entering her
sister's small bedroom.
We'll, darling, and what is the
trouble row?" and the elder sister
locked down at the fair. young face,
and ut the sweet eyes SO wistful and
sad.
The two girls were orphans, and were
toiling in the respectable harness Of
teaching. Theirs was only the Oft
repeated story of New York life.
On Thursday Mrs. Vale had issued
cards for a grand ball the following
week, and to Annie's advice in refer
ence to this ball the young girl had
braved the driving November storm.
And now. Anrie, help me to de-
eide, for although Mrs. Vale is exceed
ingly kind to me, even urging my pres.
ence on the plea of friendship. yet all
that is soundly practical in my nature
counsels me TO come here. stay with
you till ten. at which hour your re.
treat is sounded, and then creep quiet
ly back into my own little room, and
read till sheer weariness sends me to
bed"
"Wonld it not be better. darling, for
you to please Mrs VAle?"
"Better, Annie?" and her eyes
flashed, "better to feel the pangs Of a
position to which l have not been born
True. Mrs. Vale is considerate wom-
an and would shield me, if che could !;
but, will her guests regard this pro-
lection? I know the women betterl
Who il that?' will some jsweied
shoddy exclaim. and how can tho
question be answered? T am neither
Mrs. Vale's relative nor q guest. but
the goveruess OF Mrs. Vale's children. +"
"Nc, Annie." she continued, "I
have no place in society. and it is safer
not to risk attack"
Annie's arguments prevailed, and Cd
the night Of the bali Mary Carter
walked in the brilliant rooms with
Mrs. Vale, and not even in that lovely
gathering was one fairer than the young
girl standing at Mrs. Vale's side.
The beautiful Faust Lanciers were
eohoing. and the third figure, so trying
to woman's grace, had begun. Mary
Carter's vis-a.vis was q handsome,
showy woman, flashing with diamonds,
and, in the interval Of the dance, was
cenvsrsing with q tall. distinguished
gentleman. who stood csrelessly lean
ing against pedestal near by. With
the eye of connoisseur he swept the
crowded rooms, and rested it on the
slight figure opposite.
It was the second forward, the for
ward when the ladies courtesy, and just
when the music swsys for the low in
clination; and when the cold. hard
words fell distinctly, "Ooly Mrs.
Wales governess. for one single
instant the young girl faltered, for one
second, as she sfterward said. her eyes
were blind. her brain reeled. But,
true to its old source, the naughty
blood rose to her rescue, and with a
lady's fash, feeting look of ineffabls
scorn, she met Mrs. Eielbert's gazs
till the woman Qusiled; then, as a
queen, Mary Carter rose and glidea
back to her partner.
Aud John Hardinge saw it all, and
felt for the young fawn, go cruelty
wounded, shrinking; quivering, yet
with all the spirit of the rampant lion.
1t was the Sunday after the party,
Just at the soft hour when the twilight
shadows the day, and on the warm cur
tains the fire CLEANS danced in weird
fitfulness; the gas was not yet III, and
through the dimness foated the wailipg
notes of a sweet contralto.
And she sang on. with low sob in
the voice. as though her heart echoed
every note of the music. Her face was
very pale, and her eyes rested on
R,phael's Madonna. The children
we're very fond of Mary Carter, and
they were kneeling and leaning 1s,r
her, perfectly calmed by the sweet, sad
strain, when noiselessly the heavy cur.
tain parted, and Mrs. Vale walked in
with her brother, John Hardinge.
Mary, here is my brother, John
Hardinge, of whom you have heard me
speak so often, and this, John, is my
friend, Miss Carter"
The poor child's thoughts were wan
dering to Thursday evening, when she