The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1882-02-24
BOTH SIDES Of THE STORY.
Her Story.

he was the new curate. was not very happy,
for had charge Of four tiresome girls just
getting into those most Objectionable ages
eleven to sixteen; and l was only twenty my
self. Sometimes felt as if could not cope
with them; and was obliged to be stern,
prim and old-maidish to try to keep up their
respect. When the sun shone and the flowers
bloomed, l longedto sing and dance in the
fullness of youth and health; for was only
dare say ought to have liked teaching;
but did not; hated it, and was miserable.
Those four girls tormented me; they we're not
lovable, and yearned after the little ones in
the nursery. My employers were kind, think;
was young and lonely-an orphan and alone in
the world. had no relatives, save an uncle
In Australia, who sometimes wrote to me and
occasionally sent me five pound note.
Mr.. Ponsonby was our Rector-an old cler-
gyman of the humdrum style, and the greater
share of whose work fell to the hands Of neo-
phytes, who came and went in succession. We
that is, / and my Oldest pupil Caroline
used to teach in the Sunday-school. Mrs.
Thomson liked her girls to be useful; and, as
Caroline was only sixteen, she wished me to
help her to teach by taking part Of her class.
/ was vexed at this, for did not teach all the
week? And yet grew to like the work. The
solemn-faced, innocent little rusticS were
weekly relief, in their very simplicity and awe
struck respect for teacher, from the airs and
On the sunday that saw Mr.. Clitheroe first
was teaching my small scholars, when the
door opened and the Rector came in. He never
minded me, and continued trying to impress
some fact on the blue-eyedinnocent who stood
demurely before me, and who, as firmly be-
lieved, was counting the bright buttons on my
jacket instead of listening Suddenly raised
my eyes and saw a strange face. 1t was quiet,
grave and intellectual. l stopped and hest
tated. The stranger, seeing that he had put
me out, moved aside, and at that moment Mr.
POnsonby came up to him.
81 must introduce the teachers to you," he
said. "Mr. Clitheroe, this is Miss Hodgson, who
has the first Glass;
A few words were interchanged; then they
came to US.
ssThis is Miss Carolina Thomson, of the
Grange" said the Rector, who is so kind as to
help us; and this-this -hum-eh-Miss-
morley" 1 said, quietly, to help him out of
80, YES, Miss Morley!'h he said.
A formal bow then followed, and they passed
After this saw Mr.. Clitheroe very often; he
became the greatest comfort to me, though he
did not know it. His sermons went to my heart
G. adually my lie grew more tolerable to me.
Poor foolish little thing! began to look for
ward to Sunday, to cherish his words and looks
to think, am afraid, more of the preacher than
Of the message he delivered. In nearly year
had hardly spoken to him q dozen times; but
often fancied that his eyes rested kindly and
tnquiringly on me. Then came our school
treat; aud, as Mr.. Thomson was the Squire,
and gave the feast in his grounds, dressed
myself on that bright day. 1t was only plain
muslin gown that wore; but, with a blue rib
bon in my hair and a nosegay In my dress,
could see that looked nice. The day went
on; Mr.. Clitheroe never came near me-never
spoketo me. He had talked and laughed,
played with the children, joined in the games,
and helped with the refreshments; but he took
no heed of me, who was doing all this, also
Nv hopes-though what l had hoped / knew
not-drooped, and thought it was going to
be blank day. Mr.. ClitherOe took not the
slightest notice of me; and after tea felt too
lonely to play. The children, fortified by tea,
wandered away into the park. felt sad, and
the tears came into my eyes. He might have
spoken a word to me, / thought.
Presently . tall figure appeared beside me,
and a voice that thrilled me said
"Tired, Miss Morley3 You have worked too
hard.''
s'What glorious walk we had! He drew
all my simple story out of me, and l told him
all my 'disagreeables" and troubles. He was
so kind; he cheered me, he made me look on
the sunny side, and he spoke of himself also.
In fact, as We sat there chatting, l forgot
that was a governess-forgot that was on
earth; till some one called him away, and did
not speak to him again that day.
l came back to mundane things sharply
enough when stupid little Caroline came sim
pering up and began to tease me about him,
Notwithstanding my sharp rebuke.
i saw more of Mr.. Clitheroe after that, and
he and always seemed-at least l fancied So
to haye kind of tacit sympathy between Us.
. could no longer conceal the secret from my
self that loved him, Tut scarce dared to hope
my love was returned. One day letter was
brought to me in strange, and yet strangely
familiar, hand, bearing only our village post
mark. My heart throbbed, nv color came and
went-the more so as l caught Caroline's eyes
fixed upon me with an expression of amuse-
ment. felt that was betraying myself, and,
with mighty effort, laid the letter face
downward upon the table.
$50 on, Caroline" l said; don't stop like
that And Schiller was resumed, though it
was as much as l could do to translate him
decently.
The first free moment had opened the let
ter and read:
"DEAR Miss MORLEY:-PardOn me If seem
abrupt but love you. adore YOU You are
beautiful as an angel. you are lovely as rose
only live for you. Icannot exist any longer
without you love you as my own life. Give
me hope; say .yes;' that you feel some inter
est in me-that may fly to your feet ana there
pour out my devotion. Dearest Miss Morley,
write to me- answer me; tell me you Will De
NV bride. In longing suspense.