Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1883-12-20
!" ONE OF THREE"
BIZ JESSE FOTHERGILL,
Author Of " Probation" "Thc Welfelds," Etc.

Asdhor Of Probation" THE Welaegds," Etc.
CHAPTER v.-CoNT1NUED.
''Thank you," said Margaret, taking
the seat which Mrs. Lascelles pointed
to. The lady did not speak again until
the servants had left the room. Then
she said:
This is my daughter Damaris, who
will be your pupil"
Margaret turned to the young girl,
who looked about twelve years old. Her
love for children was part of her nature;
her manner toward them was fearless,
and naturally gracious and attractive.
''Damar.s!'' thought she. s'What a
name! 1t suits her, though"
Indeed it did. Margaret almost
smiled as Damaris, regarding her from
a pair of dark eyes which might have
belonged to ''the ox-eyed ONE herself,
came to her, and kissed her without ado.
Mrs. Lascelles looked on, with rather q
sad smile.
81 hope we shall be great friends. ~
said Margaret to the child, throwing
herself into her new role with an earn
estness born of real interest. '.Is it long
since you did any lessons?"
EYES," said Damaris, sedately; but
her grave little mouth parted in a very
pleasant smile.
''Then we shall have to begin easily
at first" said Margaret, pleased with
the girls entire confidence in her, for
she still stood by her side, holding her
hand.
Margaret turned to Mrs. Lascelles.
"But think l was to have two pu-
pills, Mrs. Lascelles, was l not? A son
of yours, I understood?''
A subtle expression of trouble flashed
into the lady's face and eyes, as she an
swered:
"My only son-yes. He is four
teen. Damaris is only little over
twelve.'
Ellis name is Rupert, said his sister,
gravely.
rupert is not very well to-day, I
am sorry to say" pursued Mrs. Las
celles. 81 would take you to see him at
once, but wish to speak to you about
him first l believe you understood that
he was not nearly so robust as most boys
of his age?"
Perfectly, and shall be grateful if
you will tell me anything that you think
may help me with him."
Mrs. Lascelles also looked grateful,
but she sighed instead of speaking. Be
it observed here that Mrs. Lascelles,
though she had years ago been in the
great world, had partaken of its gave
ties, and had only escaped filling the po-
sition of fashion beauty because she
herself had no liking for that position,
was, though born gentlewoman. not a
born woman of the world, of whom, as
of the poet, it may be said. mascitur non
fit. She perceived nothing incon-
gruous between Margaret's ostensible
profession and her manners and appear
Ance.
Her servants, in their own quarters,
were even now discussing the new ar
rival with considerable acumen. They
had on the instant discovered that
Margaret had not the true governess
ring about her. Her air, her manner,
her voice. her belongings, all gave the
lie to her profession. Her dress,
though so studiously simple, according
to Miss Percival's instructions) did not
succeed in making her look a governess
rather than young woman of fashion.
The maid who had carried her travelling
bag upstairs Ga bag which, fortunately,
had no monogram upon i) con-
femplated it from all points of view.
and, coming downstairs. reported that
THAT ere bag belonged to a real swell,
and no mistake; and she would take
her oath that the bottles inside had
gold tops and the brushes ivory backs
which they had. The mistress of the
establishment only saw that Miss Per-
cival was a gentlewoman, with the
manners of one. She was charmed
with her beauty and thought how very
nicely and suitably she was dressed,
but that which principally concerned
her was:
ssSurely Rupert will take to her-if
can get her to consent to what I wish.
If he does not. he will never like any
body. / feel as if she were the right
person, at last; and if she be. nothing l
have can be too good for her"
When Margaret had finished her tea,
Mrs. Lascelles sent Damaris upstairs
with her TO show her her room. The
child ran before her with more anima-
ton than she had yet displayed; and
Margaret, feeling by no means weary.
and more disposed to chat than to take
the rest suggested by Mrs. Lascelles,
kept the little girl with Ter and made
friends with her, or, rather, cemented
the friendship already silently begun.
She remarked on the beauty of her
room and on that of the views from
her two windows, one of which looked