The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1884-09-26
we'll to life itself. us she lay, white, and
AI,.u lIn,nf.,

She was such slight girllsh crea-
ture that that lady managed to lift her
to the sofa without help. AMI was bend.
ing over her, ald sprinkling water on
her white face, when the blue eyes flew
open wide again, and consciousness re-
turned.
The pale cheeks grew crimson in
stantly, and she drew her little hands
away and put them over her face.
''Oh, madame. what must you think
of me?" she cried with burst of pas
sionate SORROW. ''Oh. l must leave
this placer
Mrs. Vaue's black eyes flashed tri-
umphantly.
Il was sure you would see the neces-
sity for that' she said. "After what
have told you. this is no place for you.
You owe it 10 your own sc.f-respect to
leave Immediately. And TO do you
Justice. | must confess that my cousin
has not been free from blame. have
heard him make you idle flattering
speeches that might wei, turn young
girls head. But it is sha. way with
men, child. II a girl shows her pref
erence, rs you have shown yours, they
will amusc themselves ut her expense
even the best of them. ! hope You
understand now, that no good could
come of it."
Lily had risen from the sofa, trcm-
bling violently.
ii did not show my preference un-
sought" she said with bitterly wound
ed pride. 81 thought Mr.. Milford too
good, too noble, TO triile with woman,
even though she were only y governess.
lie gave me cause to think he cared for
me; yct"-anXious to excuse and screen
him-''yet that may only have been his
kindness. and have deceived myself.
1t certainly is so, since he is engaged
To you. l have no wish to rcproach
him, only let me 60 away ut once.
Spare me the pain OF meeting him
again-this man whom | thought the
very soul Of honor, but who, it seems,
could trlle with a friend!ess girl even
while he was vowed to another woman.
Oh, let ME 20 at Once!'
Nothing could have suited Mrs.
Vane so we'll.
Il shall place no restraint upon you,
my dear" she said. 81 see that | can
trust your honor. But where will you
go?" Not that she cared at all, ex-
cept rs matter of precaution.
ITO London. l have money enough
to live until find another situation"
land will interest myself to get you
one. You shall find warm friend in
me, be sure of it. You and /, dear,
have not wronged each other"
And the deceitful woman actually
pressed kiss on the pale check of the
girl whose life's happiness she was try
ing to DESTROY.
For Mrs. Vane was in the best of
humors, her plans having succeeded so
we'll.
Her victim had offered no resistance,
and expressed no doubts.
"And only let me get her out of the
way" she thought, "he will forget her.
and the field will be clear before me-"
So Lily packed her one little trunk,
preparing to leave by the o'clock
train that same evening.
MIR. Milford said that he should not
be home that night, and the poor girls
one anxiety was to leave without again
seeing him.
So, when her preparations were done,
she stole down the garden to bid the
place where she had dreamed such
happy dreams last goodbye.
1t was yet but three o'clock. AS she
stood near the rose-bushes, brushing
away the fast coming tears. Mrs. Vane
joined her hurriedly.
There was q look of alarm upon her
face.
Miss Deane," she said, "my cousin
is returning. saw him from my win
dow slowly riding up tho lane. You
must not meet him. You can slip out
by the back way as he enters at the
front. You can walk to the station-it
is not more than mile CT was
more than two miles, but Mrs. Vane
was not trammeled by any painful rev.
erence for the truth.) '.Here is your
money, and tomorrow will send your
trunk viii you do this. or''-wiih a
look of insulting suspicion-'willy you
stay and try to steal from me my hus.
band?"
The young girls face flushed, and
she threw back her head with a proud
GESTURE.
you insult me, madame" she said
Wllii l. HaFO SIIO" IL lIO llCll'
nation to do you wrong
Then size took her wages from her
encuy's hand, and fastened away to
the house. Mrs. Vane following her.
"Hastenr' she cried, as the door-belI
sounded. For Heavens sake, go
and quickly"
Lily paused moment in surprise.
'lf he is engaged to her." she
thought. "why does she fear me so?
Have | been deceived? Surely it is
easier to believe in her falsehood than
in his. will not CO." She flung her
hat aside. "And yet, upon what pre-
text could / stay?" she unused sadly.
II am discharged and paid. And she
said betrayed my feelings to him
OH" the quick blush of shame GRIM
soned her fair young face-''oh, let me
90 at once"
And Eat once" she fed. Little An
rie MILFORD was playing by the garden
gate. She caught her in her arms and
kissed her.
Goodbye. little darling" she cried,
and set her down again. Next minute
the gate swung to and the governees
had gone.
"Without any explanation" Mr..
MILFORD said. 81 cannot understand it.
Helen. Surely she told you whyP"
Something about lover, believe, !"
said Mrs. Vane indiferently. You
know she was pretty girl and young.
Really did not know she was going
until half IN hour before she left. ="
Mr.. MILFORD turned away with n
clouded brow and sauntered into the
garden. This girls disappearance af-
fected him more than he cared to con-
fess to Mrs. Vane.
Il could have sworn she cared for
me-" he muttered, "and all the while
she was engaged to some fellow. This
night should have asked her to be my
wife. Curse such false coquettes" and
he stumbled against something on the
grass. Halo! what's thisp"
Annie, his own little five-year old
Annie, seemingly quite broken-hearted
an in tears.
"Oh, papa" she sobbed, on seeing
him. '.she's don. Miss Lily's don"
He took the little one into his arms
and soothcd her.
"Why did Miss Lily 60. AnnieP" he
said.
"Auntie Helen did scold her, papa,
tause she tissed de little flower you
dave her. heard her. And she tiss-
ed me, and tried-and she's don. she's
dom"
Meantime Mrs. Vane, in her rivals
empty room, was rejoicing over her
departure.
''The game is in my own hands
now." she thought, sand l shall win
the prize"
The sound of horses hoof startled