The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1884-03-15
sErs. Tsnlry,nple's <aoverness.

1t was an elegant room, study in
Itself to any beauty worshiper. The
curtains and carpet were Il perfect
match, and the furniture Just unlike
enough to harmonize. Every picture
had its just amount of light and shad-
ow, and each vase and knickknack
was scattered in good taste.
Mrs. Dalrymple prided herself upon
her establishment, and it WAS an Oft
repeated boast, that she never had a
person or article in her house having
no claim to beauty. She was pretty
herself, her children were pretty, her
friend Agatha a beauty, the servants
fair and neat, and her governcss as
handsome as n governcss need be.
They were all in the parlor one
bright October afternoon, ENJOYING
themselves with perfect freedom, as
every member ofthis model household
was allowed to do. Mrs. Dalrymple
was crocheting worsted. Agatha Can
ton was lying on the sofa, her arms
wreathed gracefully above her head
chatting in her charming nonsensical
manner. Master Rupert and Miss
Belle were playing, the one with
mammals ottoman for carriage and
the piano-stool for a horse, the other
keeping house in bay window, with
huge doll and mammals work has.
ket. Miss Vane Che govcrness was in
one corner, in the shadow of acurtain
sewing on some dainty light work
There was not % fairer face in the
room, but its pensivc melancholy ex
preston, WAS perhaps degree less at
tractivo than the blonde beauty o
Agatha Canton.
Miss Vanc's face was clear marble
white, with heavy waves of dusky hair
sweeping away back from the broa,
low forehead. Her eyes were dark
black sometimes, ut Others clear deel
hazcl--with long lashos casting
shadow upon the colorless cheek. Th'
mouth and chin were beautiful. On
with full red lips, slightly yet pleas
antlvcuryed had in tia temtation whicl
had | been man would not resist
The other was round and firm with
delicate line of decision marking il
Taking the face as u whole, it was a won
dcrful one. Even Agatha had said &C
when Mira. Dalrynlple engaged hel
and added, with II shrug of her pluml
shoulders, that she had no doubt b,l
that the poor wcak-minded lady woul
repent having ever introduced her in
to her family.
Miss Vane had been an inmate G
the house just three months, and eacI
day Mrs. Dalrymple was heard to de
clare, that there was not another COY
erness like her in the city. On thi
particular afternoon Miss Agatha was
as have before said, talking nonsense
and it ran thus:
~ think / shall marry Clark Este
He has got money, and the finest will
on the Hudson. What do you sa,
Clara?"
"I&s he proposcd?r querricd Clar
Dalrymple, arcliing her pretty brow
"No, but don't he call regularly cac
day, and bring bouquets? What
that for?'
"Now-a-days with husband hunter
it means marriage; with you and ~
it should mean nothing. Why, Clar
asked with real tenderness for Mi
Vane yesterday, and this mornin
sent her a fine volume of poem
What do you now think?"
Miss Canton shot All angry glant
at the dropping figure opposite, al
said i'll a low voice: M
81 think her bold creature to Il
cept present from one 10 little know
to her"
The governess heard every syllabl
as the rising color betrayed, and tur
ing her large eyes upon her fair fac
she asked;
care you certain, Miss Canton, til
l accepted Mr.. Estess gift"
"Of course not. But Ipresume "
did"
"Thcn it IL indeed presumption.
returned the work not an hour since
And the girl, with unruffled brow al
smiling lips, went on with her Sc
ing.
The laws of politoness governed [
life Of Miss Agatha, otherwise s
would have struck her, when she Ill
ed accuse her of presumption. She
paid servant of her friend, daring
lift her eyes to one so far above h,
The round cheek was crimson, a
the blue eyes shot scathing chances
that slladowed corner.
s"Che impertinent hussyw
"Stop, Agatha! For my part /
glad OF it," said Mrs. Dalrymple.
30 Claraw
II am. She shows you your pla
better than any one else would dal
80 have done"
"Equalsl Shades Of our plebei
foreiathors? You'll neyerseethe d
Agatha Canton. that you can eq
my governess in mental and moral
quiremenis. You can wear II bet
quality Of silk than she, and spoi
set Of diamonds, but it is due To
wonderful powers of your own {
you can do so.- You may thank "
grandfather, who worked for II
shillings per day, as a maehinist, {
10 your father who, inheriting
fathers industrious habits, worl
himself into the great iron iount
4