Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1882-03-25
mistake. But don't spoil your chance

y
and tell me it's my fault.
to consider the possibility, I had indeed
too hastily discarded, of the documents
being genuine, which it proved to be. l
called on his Grace, met with gratifying
reception, and was shortly appointed pri-
vate tutor to Lord Herbert Fanfarron, a
boy of ID, whose delicate health forbade
his accompanying his parents on projected
Egyptian tour.
pause to add that, though the upshot
showed the exceptional event to have actu-
ally happened, had forfeited the engage
ment through my hesitation to believe
when the balance of probability was clearly
on the forgery side, should have found
ample consolation in the reflection that
unuuestioning acceptance would have been
more irrational course than the rash
skepticism that SO nearly cost me dear.
a month later the. Duke, Ddchess, and
suite, were en- route for Egypt, and | was
settled with my charge at Nineoaks-a
glorious place overlooking the river.
Weeks few quietly by. My pupil gave
me no trouble, unless it were that of keep
ing duly ahead of his curiously rapid pro-
gress. For playmates he had his cousins,
the Spencer Fanfarrons, at the rectory,
Lollham-a family living not mile off; a
charming household, with whom was soon
on the best of terms
One day my pupils eldest brother came
bearing down upon us and carried off the
boy TO Ascot-an unexampled treat. |
spent my unexpected holiday out of doors
in serious introspection, not unmixed with
Golf ronrnaoh nllaA Inv ,,laacapf
roundings, | lad hitherto not so much as
asked myself the question whether my
scholars satisfactory progress. OF which
had written SO decisively to his father,
might be referred to other causes than that
of natural ability.
As stood cogitating on the edge of the
wooded hillside by the rivers brink | saw
s canoe coming up stream with lady in
it-a young lady. She seemed making for
the point where l stood. With the utmost
dexterity she padded alongside, and sprang
ashore.
Now, visitors could land here only by
special permission. As she meored her
craft | looked round for Mumbles, the
keeper at the lodge close by, whose bust
ness it was to warn off trespassers. He
did not appear. Was it now my duty to
ask the damsel for her ticket?
l advanced obviously. Our eyes met.
She looked frankly amused.
"Oh, beg pardon" she began, Z" but
am now speaking to Mr. Andrews?"
l bowed assent She was laughing ire
pressibly.
"You were going to tell me was tres
passing. Oh, but you were p with an.
other little peal of merriment. 3" That
was Mumble's business, though" and she
ran towards the lodge.
Mumbles what are you thinking of ?"
Mumbles had wakened from his nap, and
now stood in the porch, with his cap in his
hand and broad grin on his face, while
she rebuked him.
50 Fie, Mumbles All the tourists from
London might have landed without tickets
Is this the way you do your duty %
"Please, Miss VIVA" apologized the
culprit, :" not a party has been all day,
and they always come. when they do come,
in time to take lunch. It's nearly 5o'clock,
go l thought"
"Well, well There's no mischief
come ashore-except me I'm going up to
the hall. But, l declare they have
altered the paths Mumbles, l shall lose
the wayr '
l volunteered to show it, excusing my
self for not having instantly identified the
fair visitor, Miss Viva Spencer Fanfarrop,
the rector's eldest daughter, absent hither-
to with friends On the continent but daily
expected home. My stupidity was per-
haps due to my bewilderment at the ap-
partition of so charming a young lady, and
so vivscious one. All the way up the
wood she taIkcd-of what, scarcely knew,
engrossed as | was In admiring her youth
full English loveliness, bright eyes, sunny
hair, dazzling complexion, and pretty
movements, as she stopped to pluck the
wild flowers or turned back to catch the
glimpses of the river. From the woods we
emerged into the rhododendron shrubber-
les, and the steep gravel walks leading to
the plateau above, crowned by the deserted
mansion.
CHOW, where shall l find Berthe" she
asked.
1 explained that "Bertie +" was not at
home She looked blank, then laughed.
"Why didn't you tell me? l know
what you are going to say never asked
you. 1 forgot. So did you. We are
quits then But what else did you sup
pose | came here for? Well, l shall just
run in and see Tom" (Mrs. Tomkinson, the
housekeeper), and old Blossom" IA super
animated nurse. "It's too bad to 90
without seeing BERTHE. must leave a
card. / promised him my photograph, and
brought it to-day. Put it in his room, Mr..
Andrews, and tell him to come and see me
tomorrow.
And she ran indoors. | waited on the
broad stone balconies to see her come out
again. l watched her fit down the lawn,
round the rosery beyond, and vanish in the
beech woods. Presently caught glimpse
of her canoe floating down the stream in
the glow of the summer sunset.
To "Bertie, when he returned, duly
delivered his cousin portrait and message
To the rectory after lesson hours on the
morrow he VENT also, alas
pass briefly over this phase of my ex-
istence. My experience is one familiar to
ala first, fervent love. Why dwell on
the particulars of its evolution ?-the after
moons at the parsonage, the lawn-tennis
matches, the five. clock teas and the
strawberries, and whether over the court,
or the teapot, or the strawberry beds, the
same divinity presiding, with the golden
hair, brilliant complexion, sparkling eyes,
and merry tongue-the little witch who
speedily absorbed my thoughts and affec.
tions and aspirations. In vain So l
feared, until one memorable moonlight
night, when, on our way back from even
ing church l betrayed myself, letting fall
lament that my estrangement from my
family, "on account of my opinions" for
babe me to ask another to share my haz-
ardous fortunes. How sweet was her
impulsive reply that only Indifference
could hesitate thus, since wnere sympathy
existed any hazards must be sweet to share,
Our engagement was soon an understood
thing. BERTHE was overjoyed; the
Rector gave his sanction. My present pre-
dicament made me anything but brilliant
part in worldly sense. But was popu.
lar with the family, and the ardent girl
declared herself ready to wait years-cen-
turtles, if need be lin faith and hope.
Were memory an unerring guide must
mt down these six months as the manifest