Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-10-07
1alfs aud Sketthes.
KEEPING HER PROMISE.
CONTINUED from Yesterday. }

; INV two darlings." said the mother, in re-
Div TO some courteous commonplace of the
ooyerness: there were but three of US,
nv brother and sister and myself. My
brother has never married. my sister mar
ried against his wishes, and so mine are
the ONLY children in whom he feels any in
terest."
There are not many in the family"
observed Miss Seyton.
mo: nv sister had but one son. whom
nv brother at one time desired TO help,
his parents being dead but the young
man, with unwarrantable pride for one in
his position. rejected all my brothers
offers. and we have not heard from him
lately. believe he is now somewhere in
the West" was the reply.
MAY | ask his name ?'
Harry Elberon. Do you know him p
II met gentleman of that name while
1 was staying with my sister last year, "
replied Miss Seyton. demurely.
Mrs McEntire frequently congratulated
the major upon having obtained such a
treasure of governess and he observed.
with much satisfaction, that the lady in
question kept her promise religiously,
both in letter and in spirit; though, by
the way, the major had never mentioned
to his sister that he had been offered such
an assurance.
After a little while he began to think
that there was no need for the young lady
to treat him with such marked GOODNESS !;
and more than once he unbent from his
habitual dignity, in the effort to tempt her
to little more familiarity. Still she
maintained the same icy reserve, though
her manner toward every one else was
easy and pleasant enough. So persistently
did she avoid him, so perseveringly did
she shut her eyes to his advances, that the
major. sought after and 1attered tor the
last twenty-five years as most desirable
match, began to think Miss Seyton very
remarkable woman.
From that he went on, and asserted to
himself that she was deuced pretty girl.
Advancing slowly but surely, he told him.
self that she was lady of wonderfully
dignitied ways, yet gracious to everybody
but himself; that she deserved a better
position in life than that of mere gov
erness; that she was fit for a high station
that she would adorn the Hottest; that
she would do excellently as-Mrs. Major
Humphreys.
While the gentleman had been coming
to these conclusions, he had been unmis-
takably attentive to the object of his
thoughts and she, thinking that perhaps
she had rather overdone the thing, relent-
ed somewhat in her manner toward him.
Though the softening was barely percep
tible. the major was overIoyed. Perhaps
because it was not too great. A goddess
who stoops too low is in danger of losing
the reverence of her worshippers.
But the next day the cruel, fair one was
as relentless as ever, and the major still
more hopelessly in love. He acknowl-
edged the true state of affairs to himself
now, and had almost made up his mind.
Had Miss Seyton been kinder to-day, he
would have been less decided than yester-
day but furit that hung SO high must
surely be worth the plucking. he thought.
So matters went on for some time long
er. Mrs. McEntire, deceived by the gov
erness' shyness and reserve toward the
mighty magnate of the place, gave her.
self no trouble on the subject; to imagine
that he would fall in love with the govern
ness. when pretty girls of wealth and
standing had been almost thrown at his
head ever since his boyhood, was prepos-
ltlOuS tuU MIS-. NltIIulllC uCNCl ulo
thing that was preposterous.
Miss Seyton alternated her moods be-
tween the freezing point and few de-
grees above; while the Major had long
passed fever heat and was nearly at that
point where the kettle boils over.
AT last he became desperate. Resolving
that Miss Seyton, fearful of losing her po-
sition, had only assumed this manner in
order to guard against selt-betrayal, he
determined to set her mind ana his own
at rest by formal proposal. Then he
rebuked himself for his stupidity in not
having thought long ago of the true ex-
PLANTATION OF her behavior. Nothing
could be more natural.
1t was spring day, warm and beauti-
full but the governess was seated quietly
at window correcting an exercise. Her
pupils were playing on the lawn.
Into the schoolroom walked Major
Humphreys.
Il have something to say to you, Miss
Seyton," he began, clearing his throat.
Nothing disagreeable, | hope?" she
asked. looking up with u smile, rather CO.
quettishly. it must be allowed.
"No-that is. hope not" replied the
Major, as he placed a chair for himself.
But the lady had now risen, having
gathered up her papers, and stood facing
him. The Major rejoced; he felt that he
could be more impressive when both
were standing; to say nothing of the
greater facilities for drawing that pretty
head to its proper resting place on his
own manly bosom.
Il have often been struck, Miss Sevton,
by the admirable grace of your demeanor.
and have thought what an ornament YOU
would be to a much higher position than
that which you now hold
II am sure am very grateful for your
good opinion, SIR" murmured the gov
erness, modestly, her eyes downcast
"And this has been so thoroughly i'm
pressed upon me that. after much serious
deliberation, have matured the purpose
which now wish to declare to you"
You are very kind, sir, to have given
any thought to me beyond the way in
which my work is DONE" replied the
young lady, as demurelv as ever.
Miss Seyton, say that have thought
long and earnestly about this. for it is a
very serious thing. man of my-ahem
age and of my position in the commun-
ity is naturally cautions about such things.
But believe that have determined upon
wise course of action. Miss Seyton, |
desire to make Won my wife >,