The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-10-24

to her that first night.
 There was nothing striking or artistic in any way in our surroundings. The small, square sit,ing-room, with it's green paper sparingly relieved with gold, and its sombre, dark green hangings, with mahogany book-shelves fitted into the recesses on either side of the fireplace, aud the round table in the center with the lamp upon it, and the half. chiffonier, halt-sideboard, in the glass back of which l saw myself rehected-a tall, spare, eld- erly woman, hard-featured rather than otherwise, and as unlike Mary as could possibly be--ail this formed surroundings than which nothing could have been more commonplace. But there was a bright fire burning in the grate, and re- member thinking to myself drowsily that to the poor little French teacher this first introduction to English comfort would seem something too good to be true
 held indeed, l always have held foreigners of all sorts in certain con- tempt l have endeavored to avoid im- parting 1t, but, in myself, have never teen able to overcome it. There is no reason that know of why we English speaking folks should be better than our neighbors, and know that nowadays it is the fashion to be cosmopolitan, as they call it, but am too old to rid myself of my prejudices.
 We had always had mademoiselle. As rule she had been of mixed nation ality, the Swiss article beng the cheaper, and on the score of joint interest in the two languages, the more useful {; but, lat terly, Miss Pettitt- between whom and ourselves there had existed for some years past friendly rivalry-had started a Partisan, and at this t,me we thought 1t advisable to follow her example. So we had written direct to the first educational bureau in Paris, and stipulated for as pure an accent and as thorough knowl- edge of elementary music as could be reasonably expected for a comfortable home and small salary. The result had been the recommendation of Mad anne Laure-a young widow, whose French and music we should should fad above the average, and whose fnendless ness and want of experience in teaching would make it charity upon our parts to take her. We thought the want of ex- perience might enable us all the more easily to get her into our own method, and we wrote to engage her.
 It was nearly eleven o'clock that night when the cab containing her at last drove up to the door, In spite of my sisters gentle suggestions and excuses, 1 felt a little ruff ed and annoyed st so late an arrival, and as one means-in all prob ability quite lost upon her-of marking my disapproval, I did not go out into the Il all to meet her. We heard thc luggage deposited there, and the cabman dis missed, aud then the little parlor-maid showed her in.
 can see her now, in my minds eye, standing, framed by the doorway, which would not, by the way, have allowed of her being many inches taller, even in tn at low turban hat, than she really was a slight, erect figure, wrapped from head to foot in dark waterproof cloak, her face fair and refined, but of dcathiy pa.lor, lighted up by a pair of most won derful eyes-eyes her possession of which felt myself resenting and in- wardly protesting against on the spot as unbccoming any governess in existence.
 |" am so sorry she said, speaking in French, in particularly pretty voice
 but with nervousness which pleased me better tban her appearance, but 1t is not my fault have kept you up so late, and perhaps caused you anxiety. The tidal train came into collision with another be- tween twenty and thirty miles from town, and there was no means of sending any of the passengers on for some time. At one time," she added, did not think 1 should have arrived here to night" "That would have been dreadful" my sister said, coming forward from behind melt was always she who was first to do the right thing-and taking the strangers hands in hers. "We should have been so unhappy about you, know ing you were among foreigners, and not knowing what might have come to you { You must come to the fire and get warm and tell us all about it, and, Es.ie, there is some supper to be brought in-is there not?"
 She had begun in her eager way always so anxious to set people at ease and at home speaking English; now, remembering, she checked herself, and added in French:
 "You do speak English-don't you P a little, we understood. We do not know much of your language-my sister and l."
 "A little," the other answered shyly, still in her own tongue.
 She looked more nervous than ever and she shivered as she spoke. Mary almost pushed me aside, noticing it, to
 make way for her to the fire,
 You are very good, madame-I am i, not cold" she said :; then, in English,
 with strong accent, and speaking very deliberately, as one who had to Eranle her sentences before uttering them: "I am only very tired, ard would like to go to ! bed"
 But we cannot let you do that until you have had something." said. "You must have had great shock. Was the
 accident serious oneY'
 She was afraid, very there had been a . considerable loss of lie, so she had been :; told; indeed, she had seen as much fol K herself. She could not bear to talk of i, fl | th;rL Nf ;t