Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1885-04-29
FLAMING AT CROSS PURPOSES.
HER STORY.


was a governess when l first met
him, and he was the new curate. | was
not very happy, for | had charge of four
tireSOme girls just getting into those
most Objectionable ages eleven to six
teen; and | was only twenty myself
Sometimes / felt as if | could not cope
with them; and was obliged to be stern,
prim, and old-maidish TO try to keep up
their respect. When the sun shone and
the flowers blOomed. longed TO sing
and dance in the fulness of youth and
health; for | was only girl after all.
I dare say ought TO have liked teach
ing; but did not. | hated it; and |
was miserable. Those four girls tor
mented me; they were not lovable, and
l yearned after the little ones in the
nursery. My employers were kind, [
think; but a gOverneSs is rarely very
happy; and | was young and lonely-an
orphan and alone in the world. | had
no relatives, save an uncle in Australia,
who sometimes wrote to me and occa-
sionaily sent me tive-pound note.
Mr.. Ponsonby was our Rector-an old
clergyman of the humdrum style. and
the greater share of whose work fell to
the hands of neophytes, who came and
went in succession. We-that is, | and
INV eldest pupil CarOline-used TO teach
III the Sunday school. Mrs. Thomson
liked her girls TO be useful; and, as Car
uline was only sixteen, she wished me to
help her TO teach by taking part of her
class. was veXed at this, for did L not
teach all the week? And yet | grew to
like the WoTk. The SOlemn-faced, inno-
cent little rustics were weekly relief,
II their very simplicity and awe-Struck
respect for teacher, " from the airs and
graces of heyoung ladies in the school
rOOm
On the Sunday that | saw Mr.. Clith-
erOe first | was teaching Iny small schol-
aTs, when TIE door opened and the Rec
tor came in. He never minded me, and
| continued trying to impress some fact
On the blue-eyed innocent who stood de-
murely before me, and who, as ] firmly
believed, was counting the bright but
tons on nav Jacket instead of listening.
Suddenly l raised my eyes and saw a
strange face. 1t was quiet, grave, and
intellectual. l stopped and hesitated-
The stranger, seeing that he had put me
out, moved aside; and at that moment
MI Ponsonby came up TO him.
81 must introduce the teachers to
you." he said. "Mr. Chtheroe, this Is
Miss Hodgson, who has the first class. "
a few words were interchanged; then
they came to us.
This is Miss Caroline Thomson of
the Grange, - said the Rector, who is
50 klnd as 10 help US; and this-thls Is
h-SlIsS-MisS-"
Morley" said quietly, to help him
out of his difficulty.
..Oh. YES. Miss Morleyl'' he SAID.
4 formal bow then followed and they
paSsed on.
After this / saw Mr.. Clitheroe very
often; ne became the greatest comfort
to me, though he did not know it. HIS
sermons went to my heart Gradually
INV life grew more tolerable to me. Poor
foolish little thingl l began to look for
ward to Sunday. to cherish his words
and looks, TO think, am afraid, more
Of the preacher than of the message he
delivered. In nearly year | had hardly
spoken to him a dozen times; but often
fancied that his eyes rested kindly and
inQuiTingly on me. Then came our
schOOl-treat; and, as Mr.. Thomson was
the Squire, and gave the feast in his
grounds, We had to meet a good deal
over the arrangements. remember
how carefully dressed on that bright
day. 1t was only plain muslin gown
that | wore; but, with blue ribbon IN
my hair, and nosegay in my dress, L
could see that looked nice. The day
went on; Mr.. Clitheroe Eever came near
me-never spoke to me. He had talked
and laughed, played with the children,
Joined in the games and helped with the
refreshments; but he took no heed OF
me. who was doing all this also. My
hOpes-though what had hoped knew
nOt-drooped, and thought iG was go
ing TO be blank day. Mr.. Clitheroe
took not the slightest notice of me; ana
after tea | felt too lonely to play. Ths
children, fortified by tea, were no longer
say and in need of help, and | wandered
away into the park. | felt sad, and the
tears came into my eyes. He might
baye spoken a word TO me. / thought.
Presently a tall figure appeared be-
side me, ard Voice that thrilled me
said rt 3
Tined, Miss Morley L gu nave
worked too hard"
What glorious talk we hail Hebrew
all my SIMPLE story out of ne, and |
told him all my "disagreeables" and
troubles. lie was so kind; he cheered
me, he made me look ON the sunny side,
and he spoke of himself also. In fact,
as we sat there chatting, forgot that
L was gOyerness-forgot that was on
earth; TIL some one called him away,
and did not speak to him again that
day.
Icame back to mundane things sharply
enough when stupid little Caroline came
simperng up, and began to tease me
about him, notwithstanding my sharp
TebGke
saw more of Mr.. Clitheroe after
that, and he and l always seemed-at
iedst, fancied SOTO lave a kind OF
sact sympathy between us. L could no
longer conceal the secret from myself
nat loved him, but scarce dared TO
sope my love was returned One day