Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1882-06-19
A WOnan's Plot.

half as gentle and sweet. If she had
been a princess she would have had
| poems written about her and songs
sung to her,-but she was only the
Goldings' governess to little Thaddy,
no one discovered that she was par
ticularly pretty or noble.
Certainly not soon, or at once.
Linly had charge of General Gold
ing's youngest son for three years
before Percy Golding come to look
so eagerly toward the corner where
she usually sat beside his mother in
the early evening. When Thaddy
retired, Linly retired, unless request
ed to remain and play OF read to the
general. She read nicely and play
ed with beautiful effect, SO that she
was a favorite with him-with his
wife, also-for she had conquered
Thaddy without furnishing him.
Percy, young, dark, restless,
lived in alternate changes of gloom
and brightness, the reason of the
girls attractiveness for him was not
merely that his eye caught the fair
ness of her cheek. Something in the
serene nature fixed and held his un-
rest, and made Mrs. Golding hope
that at last Percy would give up his
desire for the navy and settle down
at home. She did not dream of the
truth, but some one else saw it in
stantly.
1t was Glenn Golding's lady love,
Maud Dunning, "the great Dunning
heiress," people called her, and Maud
so carried herself. She was not very
young, warm, or pretty. You would
have wondered, perhaps, what noble,
generous, Glenn Golding saw to love
in her high features and cold eyes.
People told her she looked like Queen
Elizabeth, and she was pleased.
1t had been long engagement,
made to please his parents. He was
older and wiser than Percy, and, past
the first passion of youth, thought,
probably, that Maud Dunning would
| make him a suitable wife. Already
she assumed in the Golding family
the privileges of daughter.
But for her Linly would have lived
happy life. Without open insult,
Maud treated her with unmistakable
contempt. 1t was Miss Dunning's
way to treat any person her inferior
in station; and then, so intolerant
was her nature, she resented having
Glenn speak kindly of the governess.
"She's a nice girl" he said one day
and again mentioned that his parents
liked her. That was enough to
: cause Maud's dislike, and she took a
malicious pleasure in showing it.
"Why do you have your governess
retire so early?'' she asked Mrs.
Golding one evening. "She is quite
useful to help while away the time"
Because, l think, my dear, that
being occupied closely with Thaddy
all day she may wish little quiet by
herself" replied the elder lady.
"But, if you would like to hear her
play" continued Glenn's mother,
fearful that the Dunning heiress
found the evenings at Lakelawns a
little dull, Il will call her down."
Repressing yawn behind he jew
eled hand, Maud nodded, and Mrs.
Golding rang the bell and ordered a
servent to request Miss Varian to
join them.
"Will you play for us, my dear?'
she asked, with her usual mildness,
as the petite figure of Linly entered
the room. {" Miss Dunning wishes
for some music
Linly bowed to both ladies, but
Maud coldly averted her eyes. Some
what sensitive to criticism, Linly
found the task of playing to Miss
Dunning anything but an easy one,
but turning her head slightly at last,
she found that Maud had taken up a
book.
, II thought you were fond of mu-
sic," said Percy at last, with a sharp
glance of his dark eyes.
81 am very fond of good music,
drawled Miss Dunning carelessly, il
tone she cared not to make low
enough to reach Linly's ear, an6
! somewhat attentively surveying the
7 illustrations of her book.
The boys handsome face flushed.
1--WE think Miss Linly good per-
, fromer, don't we, mother?" he said,
in a low, quick tone.
She laughed good natured, stirring
5 the lavender cap-strings upon her am
pie bosom.
t "You do, of course repeated
Maud pointedly.
. Now Percy did not like his per
! spective sister-in-law, and he flashed
e a savage glance at her.
a Il think she is every atom lady,
q he replied, 'sif she is poor and a gov
t erness !''
"My dear son, Percy!'' exclaimed
) Mrs. Goleing, in amazement; bu
e Percy rose and withdrew to a re
: mote seat
: Maud met Mrs. Golding's eye, ant
:. !. smiled significantly.
Pray excuse him, Maud, he's ;
), little spoiled" said the latter.
"You are wilfully blind" syllabl
= ed Maud. ssHe is in love with her,
n as if she had said, she has stolel