Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1883-08-18

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| more than once saw her check Hush and
her eyes. brighten as she glanced in the
mirror at her own reflection when thus
arrayed.
"Poor girl.' my aunt said. at seems
really pity that such attractions should
not be set off by the advantages of dress,
in which, after all, 1 am inclined TO think
half the effect of beauty lies. Despite her
humble origin, Sophie Dane certainly
looks n born lady"
What sympathy and liking | had for
Miss Dane-and she is not one who ap-
peared to care much for either-soon re-
ceived severe check, the occasion OF
which was rs follows:
Suddenly entering my room one even
Ing, l was surprised to see the governess
standing before my dressing table, alb
sorbed in reading q letter. She started,
flushed, and hastily thrust it into her
pocket; then said, with what appeared
only natural embarrassment:
"Pleasc excuse me, Mis-. Christine; but
in passing your room it looked so quiet
that | thought might venture TO slip In
and read letter from my mother"
should not for moment have doubted
her, but that in my hasty glance mt the
letter thought it looked Ike one which l
had that evening received from Robert,
and had carelessly left lying about. |
could not be certain, however, and saiG
nothing at the time, and next morning
the letter was discovered behind the dress
ing table where it appeared accidently to
have slipped.
"Christine," said my Uncle Forester,
cheerfully, one day at dinner, "you must
look your best tomorrow, Robert will be
here then, you know"
The words struck coldly upon my heart.
So long as Robert was at Il distance, my
fate had not appeared TO me so obvious; A;
but now, to think that was so soon to be
in his presence, so soon the wife of the
man whom knew did not and could
not love-sent 4 chill 10 my heart. And
Philip-why was it, | asked myself, that
Philips image would constantly intrudc
whenever | thought of my future hus-
band.
The following day, however, brought a
letter, which caused Smong us quite a
commOtion.
Robert and his mother were at Paris,
being in too feeble state Of health to risk
the passage across the Channel; and his
mother proposed that | should proceed to
Paris, in care of some friend, and there
let the marriage take place.
They would make all preparations for
my reception, and we could then proceed
to Italy for the winter.
or course, In considering this proposal,
the first thing to be done was to discuss
the matter with my family.
Accordingly. my aunt and myself, ac-
companied by the children, whom she WAS
now unwilling to leave in charge of Miss
Dane, at once proceeded to my home in
the country.
The governess had permission to visit
her family during our absence, but this
she declined, preferring, she said, to wait
for the regular holidays.
confess that before leaving took care
to secure my apartment and personal ef-
fects from any further possible mcddling
of her.
Our absence lasted not quite week.
Alta solemn family conclaye ii was de-
cided that l should go to Paris, under
care of Uncle Marcus himself, accOmpa-
MED by Aunt FORESTER; and thercupon
we fastened back to London TO carry out
this plan.
1t was late IN the evening when we ar
rived, and the children's first inquiry was
for their governess.
"Nliss Dane went away the same day
YOU left" was the servants answer. "Shc
took her trunks with her, and said she
would be back as soon Us ever she was in
formed of your return, ma'am."
"I suppose" said my aunt, "that she
found it lonely, or fancied that we would
stay longer than we did"
ooh, no, ma'am, she didn't seem to be
very lonesome. She was coming and
going all the time, and quite lively like"
Preparations for our journey immedi-
atcly commenced. Ny first care was TO
get my travelling paraphernalia in order :;
but, upon opening the closet wherein it
had been left, discovered it TO be miss
ing.
Further search disclosed the fact that
several OF my handsomest dresses, with
most of my choice lingerie, had also disap-
peared. instantly gave uttcrance TO my
convictions:
"Sophie Dane has done this"
NY aunt would not at first believe It..
She was inclined TO suspect the servants,
but consented to dispatch message to
Sophie's home to inquire after her. The
man returned reporting that Miss Dane
had not been home nor had her family the
least idea of where she was.
awe won't allow this mishap to delay
u.s." Uncle Marcus said. "Order another
travelling dress, Christine; and for the
rest, will see that you are properly pro-
vided in Paris. When our affairs are set
tied, will inquire after this clever gov
erness of my sister-in-law."
The next day we were in Paris.
We had no sooner arrived at our hotel
than Uncle Marcus proceeded TO inquire
for his sister, Mrs. Bradshaw, and her son.
The polite waiter answered volubly:
Monsieur Bradshaw and ma.lamc, his
mother, had honOred their house. But it