The Middlebury register and Addison County journal. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1883-1885, 1883-03-16

Mrs. BridCeby 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, al recommend you at
once. Five hundred dollars 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, thought 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 soft summer evening.
The carriage was there, waiting-a
dark, wine-colored Landau, drawn by
prancing black horses, 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. 1 am Mrs. Erskine, and I
hope that we shall be the best of
friends. My husband is lieutenant
in the army, 80 that 1 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 Eyes" and "no" Ns pretty
young Mrs. Erskine Chartered on!
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
Erskine'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 Nights
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
aside" 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 a throbbing heart she tried tt
draw away her hand.
"You are Mrs. Erskin e's husband =
said she. Let me go-for heavens
sake, let me gov'
q 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 Ce
landine, scarcely crediting her ears.
81 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 am sure you must bt
, fainting from fatigue p
But the radiant face which Celandint
turned toward her disabused her from
y. the idea.
at don't think shall ever be tired
again r. said Celandine, softly.
zone minute, dearest |" Colonel
Erskine whispered, as his sister-in-law
delivered little Lillian into the care OF