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


thirty, with dark earnest eyes and a
frank sweet smile just like his sisters,
the countess.
Eyes, my lord; but Miss May is at
home with her governess.
Thanks, Graham. l hope all the
servants are we'll, and that this time l
shall stay among YOU"
81 am sure, my lord, that l can say
we all wish so from the bottom of our
hearts, returned the butler.
'.Ah. there's no place like home to a
man who has been knocking about in
that arid waste. Egypt and the Holy
Land" unused his lordship as his valet
assisted him to change his dust-covered
habliments.
'I'll just steal march upon my lit
tie pet, and creep up and see what she
is doing. Oh, the fun and joy of the
surprise! How she'll dance with de-
lightr'
A beautiful room, covered with rugs
of bright colors and polished birch fur
niture; laced draperies and pretty rose
covered chintzes on pale-blue ground
draped the chairs and cosy couches;
birds sang cheerily from their fairy
like cages; flowers everywhere; an
open piano in the corner; a few beauti-
full pictures of the Holy Child from
babyhood till manhood. This is the
sanctum of the little heiress and her
friend and instructress, Kate.
A veritable Eden upon earth. purity
and innocence reigning supreme.
As the weary traveller watched with
breathless interest, feeling of awe
came over him, and he resolved not to
interrupt by his presence the sweet
home-p picture.
"How lovelyr' he thought; "she has
the face of an angel. My darling is in-
deed blessed"
There sat Kate, perfectly unconscious
of the admiring eyes that were taking
in greedily the scene that she was play
ing the heroine so artlessly in. The
crimson twilight was just flooding the
chamber, and touching up with it's
summer glory the bonnie little golden
head and the witching face as she read
aloud a touching story of our Redeem
er when u child to May and her little
invalid sister, who lay on a couch in
some tiimy white robe. one tiny hand
clasping May, the other tea-rose,
| gift from the countess before going
out.
"Oh, how lovely. dear Kate!' ex-
claimed the two children in chorus
when she had finished the story.
Tomorrow. dears. will read the
life of his friend and follower, St.
John; now we will have oar usual lit
tie concert"
| In few seconds Kate's sweet, fresh
young soprano rose clear and thrilling,
| Joined by the little ones childish voices,
singing: '.Abide with me, fast falls
the eventide."
Lord Severn stole noiselessly from
the room, murmuring:
II will not break into their sweet
sacred converse tonight; tomorrow
morning will be better"
His lordship had been home a month
and few intimate friends were in
vited to dinner.
''It is the wish of my brother, dear
child" said the countess.
'.But shall be so dreadfully nerv-
Gus. Oh, do let me come in quietly
after dinner. l am deeply conscious
of the great honor you have offered me,
my lady," replied Kate with sweet
simplicity.
''Just as you please then, dear. 1
will tell his lordship that you would
prefer TO Join us later on.
What caused Kate to tremble and
blush so when May ran up to her with
two exquisite white roses saying:
''Papa plucked them, and told me l
was to give them to you to wear now."
care you sure, darling?"
'.Yes-quite sure" answered the lit
tie damsel positively, adding: "Oh,
don't you look pretty-better than all
in the drawing-room.'
The child was quite right, Kate cer-
tainly made an exquisite picture in her
simple black-net dress, its square-cut
body half-revealing the alabaster neck
through the delicate lace, where she
pinned one of the white roses.
Her success in the drawing-room
was complete, and Lord Severn's at
tentions most marked.
''Oh, that l was a princess or a
queen" she murmured when she found
herself in her own room. Il would
do like our gracious majesty was CON-
PEELED to do-offer this king of men my
hand, half my crown and kingdom.
Well, we'll, l can only pray that such
naughty thoughts may never assail
me;'' this as she breathed a little sigh
that was waited up to the angels, who
in turn lowered around the innocent
sleeper, investing her dreams with a
radiant bliss and Joy which gave the
sweet face an expression of perfect
peace and happiness.
''Wants to see me, Graham" said
Kate perplexedly, about week after
the dinDer-party.
"Yes, miss, that was his lordship's
command"
Where am | to goP"
HE is Whiting in the drawing
room"
"Oh dear, oh dear, what can it be?
l hope he is not angry about darling
Evie living with me; her ladyship
wished it" and smoothing down her
rebel hair she made her way to the
magnificent room to meet-what? Her
little tiutterng, pal pitating heart dared
not even stop to think-dismissal, per-
haps.
She entered, looking very shy, but
very lovely.
81 have sent for you. Miss Dagnall,"
he said, placing chair for her, ''to
say that your services will not be need
ed any longer as governess to my little
May"
Poor Kate! she turned white to the
lips, and could not think of word to
say for brief moment, then summon
ing all her courage, she said:
'1s my fault commission or omission,
my lordP"
at is neither" he replied. at is
simply my desire; another lady will
take your place more fitted for the po-
sition"
Poor brave little Kate This was the
last straw, and she burst into flood
of tears, sobbing:
"What-oh, what have done?'
'Done, my darling, my love, my
queen! Robbed me of my heart" cried
Lord Severne, clasping the slight form
to his breast, and raining down such
passion of kisses that Kate nearly
tainted.
''You love mep" she gasped.
'Love you, sweet Kate! l have loved
you from the first moment l saw you,
when you were reading to my child,
and your sister and YOU then sang