The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1884-07-10
ONLY A GOVERN ESS.

l
81 suppose l had better dress, and
call on the lady. It's always more
satisfactory than writing, as dear papa
used to say" murmured Kate Dagnall,
as she brushed vigorously the unruly
curls off her broad forehead, that would
'pll gum it down." she exclaimed,
laughing-a low ripping laugh, that
disclosed row of little white pearls.
30. don't, dear Kate" said sweet
childish voice. 81 should be so unhap-
py if you did anything to your pretty
hair"
"Then l won't, darling" said her
sister. tenderly shaking the pillows I'M
! der Evie's little fragile form with deft
| fingers.
The poor little creature had laid on
that same couch for two years, with
curvature of the spine. And it was for
the little sufferers sake that brave
pretty Kate was going to battle with
the world this bright May morning.
''Shall do, Evie? don't look too
smart, hopeP"
''You look as you always do-love-
lyr' replied the girl.
She certainly deserved the praise too;
her dead-black silk robe hanging in
graceful folds around her little stately
figure, a dainty little spotless collar
fastened by o simple knot of violets in
the place of brooch.
But above all there was dewv
freshness about her witching face, like
wild rose sparkling with the early
morning dews.
II shall not be long, Evie love-" she
called, as she tripped out of the room,
but not before a little slipper, which
the sufferer had been hugging Jealous
ly, came bounding toward her, and the
weak little voice said:
''Good luck, sister mine!" and to
herself she added: "Please, dear Heav-
en-, bring her back safely to me.''
"What grand placer thought
Kate as she looked up at the palatial
mansion on Carlton-house terrace II
thought dear papa's house handsome,
but that was nothing to this"
TO her question if the Countess of
Elslie would see her, the butler, a very
gentlemanly man, in deep mourning,
said kindly:
'Step this way. You are Miss Dag
nall, whom her ladyship expects, I
supposep"
"Yes," she said somewhat shyly as
he led her across the marble hall up q
flight OF stairs. gorgeous with pictures,
mirrors and costly purple velvet hang
ings, into fairy bower, all turquoise
plush, and billOwy lace, where an ele-
giant woman was seated at n silver and
malachite davenport, writing letters.
The countess was true patrician in
looks, voice, and gesture, with the
noblest attributes, withouta tinge of the
usual false pride of her class.
BE seated, Miss Da~nall," she said
kindly, land be good enough to excuse
me one moment till | have sealed my
letter"
Kate began to pluck up heart of
grace now that she found herself placed
at ease by the unstudied grace of man
ner of the true lady.
II think we shall get on very nicely,
Miss Dagnall, and our darling May
will have lady whom l shall like as
we'll as trust. l am pleased you con-
fided in me, and told me all, because I
have heard of the sad reverse of the
once eminent banker, but never knew
what became of his two daughters.
Now, confidence begets confidence.
Your little charge is not my own; my
darlings have been gathered in by the
Great Reaper. May is my brothers $
child; he is a widower. 1 have her
under my care till he returns to En-
gland.
Then she is motherless, my ladyP"
That is So" she replied sorrow
fully, ''but you will. in some measure,
makeup to our treasure her sad loss. y
All was settled, and as Kate tripped
down the staircase she could almost
have burst out into song, like bird
who had lost its way and its mates,
and found them again.
'Oh, I'm so happy now! L wish l
had wings to fly to my darling Evie, J"
she murmured, as she flew along st.
James Park, light as fawn. "It was
the slipper that did it," and she began
humming. "Oh, those golden slippers, !"
unknowingly-how golden she had yet
to learn.
day at Camden Town.
81 told you that you were fairy,
and would win the hearts of every
body" exclaimed Evie, raising herself
with difficulty to take a peep at her
sister. .'Only fancy a countess, too,
and to shake you by the hand as if you
were her sister. How should like to
see her! Is she very beautiful"
''She is more than that; she is per-
feet woman, nobly planned, what 1
was reading to you about the other
day, my darling"
81 wonder if | shall ever see her, :"
the poor little thing said wistfully.
'Why, of course you will, Evie.
Some day you shall be brought to see
me in q little invalid chair that l mean
to buy you when my ship returns laden
with good things"
The thought of such happiness
brought sunny smile into the child $
sweet pensive face, and she was salts
fled.
"My papa is coming home, dear Miss
Dagnall Won't be happy then!" ex-
claimed little May one delightful morn
ing in August, as she dashed into the
schoolroom, very Hebe OF child-beau-
ty ''Aunty has just got letter-oh,
such a duck of a one, with dozens OF
kisses. Aren't you very pleased?'
Eyes, May, very, OF course, because
you are. But perhaps your papa won't
see me with the same indulgent eyes
as you and Lady Elslie do; he's gem
tleman."
Fudge! he'll love you as much as l
do Why, my papa is only like big
boy-he plays with me an hour every