The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1881-09-08


quisite features substantiate."
"You are for once mistaken, Mr..
Hardinge, for that is only Mrs. Wales
governess.
1t was the second forward, the for
ward when the ladies courtesy, and just
when the music sways for the low in
clination, and when the cold hard words
fell distinctly, "Only Mrs. Wales gov
erness." For one single instant the
young girl faltered-for one second, as
she afterwards 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 flash, look Of
ineffable scorn, she met Mrs. Edelbert's
gaze till the woman quailed; then, as q
queen, Mary Carter rose and glided
back to her partner.
And John Hardinge saw it and felt for
the young fawn, so cruelty wounded,
shrinking, quivering, yet with all the
spirit of rampant lion.
The man felt his heart beat quickly,
and his pulses thrilled at the insult
thus ruthlessly given; so lie coldly
looked at Mrs. Edelbert and walked
away.
1t was the Sunday after the party, just
at the soft hour when the twilight shad-
ows the day, and on the warm curtains
the fire CLEANS danced in wierd titful-
ness. The gas was not yet lit, and
through the dimness foated the wailing
notes of sweet contralto. What a
world of tender pathos in the notes as
they appealed:
Flee as bird to the mountain.
Ye who are weary OF Sin
And she sang on, with low sob in the
voice, as though her heart echoed every
note in the music. Her face was very
pale, and her eyes rested on Raphaels
Madonna. The children were very fond
of Mary Carter, and they were kneeling
and leaning near her, perfectly Gained
by the sweet. sad strain, when noise
lessly the heavy curtain parted and MS.
Vale walked in with her brother, John
Hardinge
MARY, here is my brother, John Har.
dinge, 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
had rested upon those very words, with
such crushing results; therefore her bow
was very cold, and her voice trembled as
q few minutes after she arose, and, ex-
cusing herself, retired from the music
room.
The arrow was quivering still, and the
poison was absorbing the hearts vitality
its trust in human nature.
A shade of disappointment clouded
John Hardinge's face as the last fold OF
her trailing black dress disappeared
from the heavy curtain, ard then he told
Mrs. Vale of what had happened.
She was kind, gentle lady, and her
heart sorrowed for the desolate young
orphan.
Mr.. Hardinge often strolled In at the
"children's hour" and the little ones
were really as lovely as the celebrated
group known as "Longfellow's chill
dren."
Always in the music room he found
Mary; for never since the night of the
ball had she appeared in the parlor.
Society had only stamped the impress
which her own heart had warned her of,
and she felt that as governess she was
unacceptable. And so the buoyant,
naughty spirit forced itself into the
shackles, and the young heart fed upon
its life for food.
But John .Hardinge was no longer o
young man; therefore he was not easily
daunted, nor was he a neophyte to he
discouraged by girls GOODNESS. The
heart that was unimpressed by the suns
of forty summers at last felt the trem-
bling Of termination, and the realization
came with untold strength and power;
SO the strong man yearned to fold within
his protecting care the delicate blossom
so tossed by life's storm.
Proud and shrinking, she seldom al
lowed herself to be talked to; but music
was her greatest passion, and she quite
forgot her life and position when Mr.
Hardinge's pleasant visits came to
brighten her winter days.
He was a cultivated, courtly gentle
man, whose wealth made him sought
after in the great marriage market; and
mammas we're especially suave and
daughters very docile when Mr.. Hard
inge vouchsafed attention. But men In
society seldom love in society; they
weary of rote and routine, and tire OF re-
production from the one unvarying and
UNMARRIED type, a pretty. expensive doll.
Therefore they are more often attracted
by the species sui generis, afforded with
q grand whiri; and so the marriage OF
such men are disappointing and startling
to the expectant battalions.
Madge was the youngest and fairest