Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1884-09-25
ONLY A GOVERNESS.

"I suppose I had better dress and call on
the lady. Its always more satisfactory than
writing, as dear papa used tosay," murmur-
ed Kate Dagnall, as she brushed vigorously
the unruly curls off her broad forehead, that
would stay there in spite of all remonstrance
cpl gum it down." she exclaimed, laugh
ing-a low, ripping laugh, that disclosed
row of little white pearls.
go, don't, dear Kate" said sweet child
ish voice. "I should be so unhappy if you
did anything to your pretty hair"
"Then l won't darling," said her sister,
tenderly shaking the pillows under Ewes
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 suffer.
er's sake that brave pretty Kate was going
to battle with the world this bright May
morning.
"shall do, Evie? don't look toe
smart, hope?"
"You look you always do-lovely!" re-
piled the girl.
She certainly deserved the praise too; her
dead-black silk robe hanging in graceful
folds about her little stately figure, dainty
little spotless collar fastened by simple
knot of violets in the place Of brooch.
But above all there was deWy freshness
about her witching face, like a wild rose
sparkling with the early morning dews.
81 shall not be long, Evie love, She called
as she tripped out Of the room, but not be-
fore slipper, which the sufferer had been
hugging jealously, came bounding toward
her, and the weak little voice said:
"Good luck, sister mine!" and to herself
she added: "Please, dear Heaven, bring
her safely back to me-"
"Whata grand place! thought Kate, as
house terrace. 81 thought dearpapa's house
handsome, but that was nothing to this"
TO her question, if the Countess of Elsie
would see her, the butler, very gentleman
ly man, in deep mourning, said kindly:
"Step this way. You are Miss Dagnall
whom her ladyship expects, suppose ?"
eyes," she said, somewhat shyly, as he
led her across the marble hall, up flight OF
stairs, gorgeous with pictures, mirrors and
costly purple velvet hangings, into fairy
bower, all turquoise plush, and billowy lace,
where an elegant woman was seated at a
silver and malachite davenport, writing let
terS.
The Countess was a true patrician in looks,
voice and gesture, with the nOblest attrlD-
utes, without tinge of the usual false pride
of her class.
"Be seated, Miss Dagnall," she said kind
ly, "and 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 herselfplaced at ease by
the unstudied grace of manner Of the true
lady.
'I think weshall get on very nicely, Miss
Dagnall, and our darling May will have a
lady whom I shall like as well as trust. |
am pleased you confided in lne, and told me
all, because | 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 widower'
| have her under my care until he returns
to England.
"Then she is motherless, my Lady,"
"That's So" she REPLIED sorrowfully,
"but you will, in some measure, make up
to our treasure her sad loss"
All was settled and as Kate tripped down
the staircase she could almost have burst in
to song, like bird who had lost it's way
and its mates, and found them again.
ooh! Pm so happy now! l wish l had
wings to fly to my darling Evie," she muir
INJURED 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.
There was joy for the orphans that day
at Camden Town.
81 told you that you were a fairy, and
would win the hearts of everybody" eX'
claimed Evie, raising herself with difficulty
to take peep at her sister. "Only fancy a
countess, too, and to shake you by the hand
as if you were her sister. How | should