Stephens City star. (Stephens City, Va.) 1881-1883, 1883-03-03
Until, one day, a CLEAN of possible

OuIli, one udy, gleaIn Oh possible
deliverance appeared on the horizon
Mrs. Bridgeby waddled into the room
and announced that governess was
wanted at Lisle Tower, on the very
edge of the Adirondacks.
"And of course, my DEAR" said
Mrs. Bridgeby, "I recommend you at
once. Five hundred dollars a year,
only one little girl to educate and
amuse, and delightful country air. My
dear, it's chance in thousand. An
officers lady Stayl where is the
cardp l declare, 1 thought I had it in
my pocket. 1 must have dropped it
somewhere. But the address is Lisle
Tower, near Caldwell, Lake George.
You're to take the cars to Caldwell,
and there you are to be met with a
carriage. And here's your car-ticket,
all bought and paid for"
So Celandine, much rejoicing, was
borne out of the atmosphere of scho-
lastic toll into newer, brighter world,
and alighted on the shore of blue,
beautiful Lake George in the cleaning
of a soft summer evening.
The carriage was there, waiting-a
dark, wine-colored landeau, drawn ty
prancing black horses,a all glittering with
plated harness, in which sat lovely
little girl and handsome young bru-
nette of two or three and twenty.
"This is your little pupil, Miss Bel
lairs," said she-"my daughter, Irene
Erskine. I am Mrs. Erskine, and I
hope that we shall be the best of
friends. My husband is lieutenant
in the army, so that I am necessarily
much at home, and your society will be
the greatest of all boons to me-"
Celandine felt sick and giddy. The
blue hills that surrounded the lake
seemed to swim around her. The
golden sunshine became as blue before
her eyes. Had the idiotic folly Of her
butterfly days then found her out
Was she going to Charlton Erskine's
very home, a dependent and drudge,
to work out the recompense of her
sins? All, how hard it was to smile
and say "yes" and mo" as pretty
young Mrs. Erskine chartered onl
Yet it was not altogether the shame
and the keen modification which
stung her SO keenly. She knew now
she had known, alas THAT Charlton
Enkine's image had been tenderly
cherished in her heart all these years.
She had flung him away like a
broken toy in the insolent triumph of
her beauty, and now she knew that
she loved him
A circular, stone tower, rising up
against the dark hemlock woods long
low wings, where the welcoming lights
twinkled brightly crimson, baize-
lined doors thrown open, and Celandine
entered, her eyes blinded by the soft
glow of candles.
cts the new governess, CHARLIE -
said Mrs. Erskine; and then, in an
-"The prettiest creature you
ever saw, and with the prettiest name,
too-Miss Celandine Bellairs."
And then, to her horror, Celandine
found herself face to face with-Lieu-
tenant Erskine himself, the old lover
she had known so long ago
"My engaged wife /" he said, hold
ing out both hands, with smile not
entirely devoid of mischief. "Celan-
dine, why did you run away from me
four years ago."
With throbbing heart she tried to
draw away her hand.
"You are Mrs. Erskine's husband p
said she. "Let me go-for heavens
sake, let me goI'
"I am not Mrs. Erskine's husband" !"
said he. "The Mrs. Erskine does not
live who has any claims on me!'
"Then who is this lady?" said &C.
landine, scarcely crediting her ears.
"I am Mrs. Lieutenant Erskine,"
said the pretty brunette. "My hus-
band is in Arizona. This gentleman
is my brother-in-law, Colonel Erskine,
who has just arrived from Washing
ton. And now. dear MISS Bellairs,
come upstairs, and let them bring you
some tea, for 1 am sure you must be
fainting from fatigue r
But the radiant face which Celandine
turned toward her disabused her from
the idea.
al don't think l shall ever be tired
again r. said Celandine, softly.
zone minute, dearestp' p Colonel
Erskine whispered, as his sister-in-law
delivered little Lillian into the care of
the plump French nurse. "You are
still my engaged wifep Say that you
arel'
"Oh, Charlton" she cried, IL do not
deserve, after the cruel way in which
I have treated you, that you should
ever speak to me again r
"I love you, Celandine,' he said
simply-"I have always loved your"
Il a IL