The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1884-09-18
ALL BUT TRIUMPHANT.

She was only governess in George
Wilford's house, and nursery gov
erness at that.
A pretty, lady-like, quiet little crea-
ture. whom his Two motherless little
children dearly loved.
Between you and me, dear reader,
before their father had been home from
his travels many months, he was in
danger of following their example.
Mrs. Vane saw that. She was a
widow; handsome, naughty, poor. and
with Il pair of fine black eyes that
were unusually wide awake for all that
concerned the wealthy widower. For
he was her cousin, aud she had kept
house for him since his wIfe's death
two years ago-with the decided inten-
lion of ultimately supplying her place
and consoling him for his bereave-
ment.
She watched him now with cloud
ed face as he sat ut the open win
dow, paying less attention 10 the morn
ing paper in his hand than to the mer-
ry group in the garden. whose silvery
voices and happy laughter reached him
where he sat.
How happy they seem, and how
fond the children are of her!" he said
At last. pursuing his own thoughts.
But why does she always wear black?
Do you know for whom she is in mourn
ing. Helen?"
Her mother, l believe" Mrs. Vane
She is an orphan. Governesses gem
orally are orphans it seems to me.
And she tried TO quiet her own fears
by rejecting:
at is only natural that he should
take pleasure in watching his own
children. Surely it cannot be this
grip"
But it was "rhis GIRL" in spite of
her. She thought she would put it to
the test, and so went quietly out of the
mon Lily Deane to her presence.
"You are so skillful ut this kind of
work, Mrs. Deane," she said rs she
held up torn and costly lace before
the blushing. fluttering girl" l should
be glad if you would mend it Us soon
as possible.
And she looked with strong disfavor
at the futtering form and rosy blush.
She had seen George Wilford accost
the girl as she came in from the gar
den, and she knew what the bushes
meant.
She made no remark, however; but
when she went down again to the room
where she had left her cousin. she
found him standing aimlessly in the
middle of the room, as if uncertain
what to be about.
''The garden has lost its attraction"
she thought, and her black eyes flash
ed. This girl must be got rid of. and
ut once"
More easily said than done, however.
The children loved their gentle friend
and gentle play-fellow. and their faith
er made no secret of the pleasure her
presence and sweet companionship af-
forded him.
While as for Lily-though she was
"only governess''-i was plain that
an unwonted sense of happiness made
her blue eyes more bright and her
smiles more frequent. She never
thought of questioning why.
The little simple SOU hUasked in its
atmosphere of love IA JOY, as birds
and flowers do. and thought about the
cause of it as little.
The stately house had grown to be q
happy home to her.
Was it since Mr.. Wilford returned?
Well. yes-everything was surely pleas
anter under the masters sway. He
was so good. so kind, so gentle to her
self; so considerate towards everyone.
Ah, but his wife must have been Il hap
py woman! How sad that she should
have died, and left her lovely babies.
her dear husband! And he, too-so
81 i-t1 lrr fn
was lonely. She wondered now would
he ever
And at that thought she put up two
little white hands TO her face, that sud-
denly burned vivid crimson.
What is it to mc?" she murmured
with an unconscious sigh. but If he
should, l suppose it would be Mrs.
Vane. And ] should have to go. l
could not stay then, although the chill
dren love me, and II love them So"
Tears dimmed her blue eyes suddenly.
"After all, what is it to me?" she
sighed. "Only he is SO good-so very
good to mellow can choose but wish
him happiness"
And she stopped and kissed a red
rosebud that she held, and which he
had given her.
That instant a voice fell on her ear,
and firm hand grasped her arm.
do you kiss the flower for its own
sake," asked the voice, ''or for the
giver'sp"
Poor Lily started guiltily.
"The-the giver, madame?" she fall
tered. 81 do not understand---"
..Mr. Wilford gavo :yoh that rose. l
saw him. He is my betrothed hus-
band. Miss Deane. take you for n
foolish, thoughtless girl, rather than q
wicked or o heartless one. 1 have re-
solved to appeal to your sense of right
your honor Mr. Wiford is engaged
to me. l love him and will never give
him up. His fancy for you can only
result in your dishonor. for though you
may steal his heart from me and make
me wretched. you cannot win his hand.
That is engaged to me, and l will
claim it."
Lily, with white face and great di-
lated eyes. now suddenly. with one
sharp cry of pain, fell down fainting
ut her enemy's feet
The blow had been so sudden. With
cruel pitiless hand Mrs. Vane had
placed her face to face with the secret
of her own unconscious heart.
She knew, in that moments anguish,
that she loved George Wilford, and that
he was the promised husband of an
other.
Farewell, lovei Farewell, hope!
Farewell. peaceful home. in which she
found brief deceitful happiness! 1t
seemed, at first, as il she had said fare
we'll to life itself. as she lay. white, and
!