New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1883-05-30
sOPHIE'S STRATAGEM.

Nothing could be more suitable than
such match, all our friends said, and I
was too young, too inexperienced, and
above al-at the time my future was
decided upon-too heartwhole to pro-
test, even had l been allowed any voice
in the matter that was to decide my woe
or happiness for life; and so it came
about in the most natural way in the
world that, before was eighteen, Ihad
been pursuaded by my family to engage
myself to my cousin Robert. His moth
er, indeed considered me as by no means
good enough for her son; but she was
accustomed to defer to her brother,
Uncle Marcus with whom I happened to
be a great favorite, and who had set his
heart upon the match, declaring that
would make just the right kind Of wife
for his rather peculiar nephew.
Robert himself, on his uncle's propos-
ing the match, had yielded an Indifferent
assent, observing that | was pretty
enough, and that he was glad to be
spared the trouble of looking for wife.
He was good-looking and gentleman
ly, but sickly, delicate almost as girl.
and to my idea wholly uninteresting.
Still, had not, at this early age, strength
of mind sufficient to resist the united
persuasions of my family; and the mar
riage was arranged to take place in
about two years, during which time Rob
ert would, by his physicians advice, re-
side chiefly in the South of France, where
his mother accompanied him.
Unfortunately for my own happiness,
/ during this time became acquainted
with Philip Waring, whom Isoon uncon.
sciously learned to look up to and adj
mire as the perfection of all manly ex.
cellence.
And now the two years of Roberts alb
scnce were completed, and he wrote that
heswas about returning home to claim
his bride. But, he added, his phys.
ician having recommended his spending
the winter in Italy, he proposed to take
me thither Immediately after the mar
riage. He hoped there would be no I'M
necessary delay or preparation, and
would prefer having the wedding as
private as possible.
This last clause was great disap-
pOintment to my mothers sister, Aunt
Forester, who had arranged to have the
wedding from her own handsome resi-
dence in London.
However, should at least have sty-
lish rousseau; and so she took the
trouble of coming all the way to our lit
tie country town, and CARRYING me home
with her, in order to make the neces-
sary preparations.
As, on our arrival at my aunt's resi-
dence we entered the hall, her two little
daughters came joyfully rushing to meet
us.
''Here, Christine she said, turning
to me ''here are my darlings. Have
they not grown? And this is their gov
erness, Miss Dane
turned, and saw young girl stand
ing quietly at the foot of the staircase,
looking ON with smile at the scene
She was so exceedingly pretty, with
her delicate, regular features and gold
en- hair, and exquisite complexion, that
| was quite taken by surprise.
''What q remarkable pretty governess
you have, Aunt Lottie!" I observed,
when, an hour after, stood at her dress
ing-room window, looking into the
garden, where the children were at play,
while Miss Dane, with bit of crochet
work in her hands, walked slowly up
and down; sand how graceful and lady
like she ISL
Eyes, my aunt replied with a smile;
''and do you know; Christine, we think
her wonderfully like yourself? Not only
has she the same colored hair and eyes,
but her features and something in her
ways and expression, remind us of you.
have but one fault to find with her, :
added my aunt-ssshe is too reserved.
of talking, have always an uncomfort-
able feeling that don't know her. y
'.How stylish she looks, despite he1
plain dress
Eyes, indeed. If that girl were rich
ly and becomingly dressed. she would
be handsomer than you Christie
Here the subject dropped, and busily
engaged as was IN my bridal prepare,
tons, I at first saw but little of Sophie
Dane. But one day, when dress had
come from the na0diste which did not ex
actly please us, the governess happened
to be present, and on being half-careless-
" appealed to, at once pointed out the
defect and how to remedy it.
Thereupon it was discovered that she
possessed an exquisite taste in dress and
millinery.
My aunt was delighted; and thence
forth Miss Dane was constantly called
upon for advice in matters of taste.
Occasionally she was requested to try
on some article of dress, q hat, or a
mantle, in order that might the better
judge Of their effect; and we could not
but. be struck with the extreme becom-
ingness Of these things to her.
She herself was quite aware of this;