The Portland daily press., 1883-06-11
gentlemau's lea to a satisfactory degree Q

sweet-faced woman with abundant silver
hair, stately grave man of about thirty-five
and lovely little girl perhaps twelve years
old. Louisa knew from the graud flourish
with which her superior drew out the chairs
and filled the goblets, and, indeed, from his
condescenslon in performing these offices
himself instead of entrnsting them to her,
that the party were first Glass; and she
overheard snatehes of their conversation as
she passed 10 or out.
Il feel 50 sorry that Miss Hawkes. had to
leaves US just now" the lady said "Aliee
was getting interested In her lessons, and l
am afraid 1t will be long time before we can
find as good teacher as she was.n
Louisa kept thinking of the remark all
day and the thought that first occurred to
her became purpose, Why couldn't she
teach the little girl? She knew she was a
very good scholar, having supplemented her
three terms instruction at Hilton Academy
by hard study at home. That afternoon she
learned their location, aud having donned
her best dress, modest black alpaca, she
tapped with beating heart at the door OF
the first corner room up one flight" They
We're all in, and Louisa, somewhat confus-
ed, stammered out that she had noticed
their remarks at dinner and had come to APP
ply for the situation ''as goyerness 10 the
little girl
The lady looked surprised, but the GENTLE
man remarking that 1t would be regular
godsend ii she could teach Alice" at once
began questioning her.
Louisa was delighted with herself for her
readiness in answering, and mentally re-
turned thanks for her excellent memory that
had proved a faithful servant this time.
Byand by the gentleman said, II think
you will do. | wish Alice to have a sure
foundation of rudimentary knowledge be-
fore she tries her hand at accomplishments
She will not learn music for two years yet,
and she knows French enough for the pres
ent.n
''But thought you wished her to get an
| idea of German his mother interposed.
20, to be sure, do you understand Ger
| ''Gibson.' supplied Louisa. 81 know
| something of it" she continued, her face
| flushing crimson, for his tone imp led, .of
| course you do nof.n 81 studied il at Hilton
| Academy and German neghbor helped me
| about the pronunciation.
Read something here, he said, handing
her Heine's ''Bueh der Lieder.n
| Louisa opened the book and read tho little
.Mein Herr. mein Herr list traurig,
Doch lustig ieuchtet der Maj
| She appreciated the tender description and
| read with expression, but at the closing line,
"lch wolff, er sehusse mich tod, - her voice
tremblod snd her eyes filled with tears, the
words expressed SO APPLY her own hopeless
| ness. -
| Mrs. Endicott looked searchingly at her,
aud her son said, ''you understand what
you read, can see that, but your accent
might be improved. suppose your neigh
| tor spoke Platt Deutsch2'
Il thind not, Mr.. Bauer was from Ham
| burg, l believe she answered innocently
Probably. he was a Bauer by birth as
well as in name,' said Mr. Endicott sarcas-
| tieally, "but you can teach Alice to read
and correct your pronunciation in the Faith
| erland if you stay with u.s.
| He then told her that in few weeks they
were to sail for Europe to remain three
years, and he offered her a liberal salary TO
go with them. Mrs. Endicott was not
strong, and she wonld be expected to take
entire charge of Alice, teaching her the Eng
lish branches, and experimenting her edn-
| cation generally.
! Louisa's head was in whirl Go to Eu-
| rope, see strange countries and beautiful
sights, study French, German, Italian per-
haps,in the countries where they were spok-
en-, maybe learn music from the great mast
| ers, it was glimpse of Heaveri But she
tried to conceal her JOY and excitement and
| told them she would soon let them know
her decision and then hurried off to shed
happy thankful tears and to say her prayers.
well, what do you think of it mother?''
asked Mr.. Endicott.
Il think you have been very business
like,' said his mother, with quiet sarcasm,
you did find out her name"
Upon my word, / never thought of a
Character but her face is enough. She
looks as fresh and innocent as one of the
daisies on her fathers farm
Yes, but | fancy from the way she read
Heine, that she has known more of sorrow
than her charming face implies''
II do hope she has some fun in her., said
Alice. Miss Hawkes. always walked so
still and talked so slow and so.emn, that it
made me feel lonesome just to look at her."
Louisa had received piteous appeal from
her parents since she had been at the beach.
| They implored her TO beg pardon of John
| for her fickleness, and not bring sorrow on
them by throwing away the best chance she
| would ever have.
This letter had driven her into despair
ing mood for time. 1t seemed they would
force her into this wretched marriage in
| spite OF all she could do, but now she was
| going far away, far from the temptation to
| yield for the sake of ending the struggle 1t
was like bright, sweet day after a long,
weary sleepless night.
| She wrote to her mother, telling her of the
situation she could have, and dwelling with
| emphasis on the salary-.smore than Won
pay the minister at Andrews Mills" she
reminded her. she knew the logic of this
argument would be unanswerable, and she
asked their consent to her going. ssThe En-
| dlcotts are well known here, they live at a
| beautiful place on the Hudson River, and
they are wealthy and respected. So you see
have been prudent in fading out about
| them"
Then Louisa did strange thing. She
| wrote long, friendly letter to John An
| drews, telling him her plans and begging
him not to spend the time of her absence at
home. go to California and earn lots of
| money" she wrote, something tells me we
shall be happy together yet. Rouse up and
make yourself worthy of me-" she concluded
with superb egotism, and signed herself
| "YOurs as ever"
She received, as she expected, favorable
| answer from home. Her father and mother
| were apparently elated at her promotion
from waitress to.governess. emily Jones
| says you have looked higher than John An
| drews or Andrews Mills, but she saws,
sometimes folks fly high and light low /
told her you would never light low, for
| you'd rather not light at ALL" her mother
wrote. Emily is dead set after John since
you went away, but don't believe he Il ever
marry her in the world. He seems sort of
down hearted all the time and / pity him
dreadfully.D
Louisa travelled with the Endicotts. not
three but four years. They visited the gray
ruins and vine clad hills of Italy; they pass
ed leisurely through France, stopping nine
months in bright, beautiful Paris; they ex-
plored the cultured cities of the Fatherland.
and gazed with delight on the wild grandeur
| of Switzerland. England was left till the
last, and Louisa liked it best of all. the
home-like English landscape of rich woods
and glowing pastures, and picturesque an
Gent villages, contrasting so pleasantly with
the wildness she had just left and the rough
aspect OF her own country.
Mrs. Endicott had been i'll much of the
time during their absence, and Louisa, by
her kind care and bright comprehensive.
had become very dear to the gentle woman
who ardently approved of her sons choice.
for one evening when the dear shores of
home were dimly seen, Howard Endicott
ask Louisa to be his wife" thought when
Alice died that no one should ever take her
place." he said, stbut now know that /
should be very happy to have you always
with me, Louisa, so what have you to say to
me?p ~
During all the years of her absence. there