The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1886-06-23

her face was ralsed, her eyes looking
forward; no trace of tears
on that naughty countenance. The
last peal of music, and the vast congre-
CATION rose and began to move toward
the door. Could | not comfort this
girl who appealed so strongly to
my sympathies-al almost to my affec-
ton? was wealthy; perhaps a spoiled
child of too indulgent parents. The
thoughts that flashed through my mind
were more selfish than these. l con-
fessed to myself that my wish to know
the stranger sprang first from my de-
sire to crafty myself in knowing her.
We had both waited till the greater
part of the people had gone. She
turned to leave the pew. No longer
trying to resist the impulse that pos
sessed me, stepped nearer and laid
my hand lightly on her shoulder. She
looked up with movement of question
ing surprise; her eyes met mine, and
grew gentle as she looked.
"Pardon me, and do let me help
your! l. exclaimed, in low voice,
holding her glance with my eyes, that
must have shown how sincere were my
words. ~
Her eyelids dropped, not with anger
at my intrusion, bat because her soul
was looking too freely from its beauti-
full windows. The fingers that held
the prayer-book clasped closely round
it.
"You are kind, very kind" she MUIR
INJURED, and knew that her voice &C
corded with her face; "but''-she lift
ed her eyes for an instant to my face
"but do not know how you can help
me. But you have helped me;
your words have strengthened and re-
freshed me. l shall not forget YOU"
She spoke rapidly, as though only SO
could she command her voice. As she
ceased speaking, she made a movement
to leave me. detained her.
IF you think me kind, why do you
reject my kindnessp" said. "You
have perceived that I am sincere. Do
not leave me. Let me walk with you;
it is not right for you to refuse me-"
Ispoke with veherhence, for indeed
l was impetuously in earnest. She
tacitly assented, and we left the church
together.
II do not know why you have had
the power to melt my reserve" she
said. "but l feel willing to tell you of
the troubles that have come upon me.
Perhaps you have guessed that am a
Southern girl. Parents, fortune, hap
piness, all have been destroyed in this
war. I was sent North, supported by
money my father gave me. until he was
killed. Since then l do not know how
l have lived. For the last month l
have been trying to get some sort of q
situation which would support me-
But have no recommendation. Who
would intrust children to an utter
stranger"
"You wish to be governess?" in
terrupted, eagerly. -.
Il would rather be music teacher, "
she replied; ''for that know am fit
ted-but l feel more uncertain in re-
gard to being able to teach children
that which is the duty of governesses.
was educated at convent, and par
ticular attention was paid to music,
for my tastes all led in that direction. ~
While listened, was deciding on
the proposition to make her She
looked, and almost stopped in her
walk, saying:
81 do not recognize myself in thus
speaking to stranger. Trouble has
increased my natural reserve"
We were at corner, and she eX.
tended her hand.
"Let your dreams tonight be of the
good you have done," she said, her lips
curving sweetly as she spoke.
"Do you 90 down this street,"
asked. She bowed. IF you leave INT
now," l continued, "at least promise
to call and see me tomorrow. Ibelievt
l can get you situation"
Her eyes shone at the hope. Sht
took my card with subdued eagerness
pressed the hand that gave it, ant
walked quickly away.
ITO what absurd church have 20,
been this morning." asked my moth
or, when came down to dinner tina
day. She was in full outdoor dress
having just returned from listening t,
the Rev. DIR. -, the minister, pa
excellence, Of the creme de la creme
to whose discourses very seldom lis
tened.
ITO the new Catholic, my mother, ,
l replied, sitting down, inwardly hop
ing that she would not scold me 70
not accompanying her.
what, way out there! Did yo'
walkp"
Eyes, all the way"
How odd of you. You don't know
how much you missed in not being a
our church. DR.. ---- had such
sweet sermon-and young Varens wa
there with the Chapman girls. 70,
know he's just from Europe, and i
looking perfectly splendid. 'Wonde
if one of those girls expects to cate
him? Mrs. Chapman will do her bes
to secure him-doubtless he'll fall int
the trap. We must give a party o.
purpose to have him here. He'll b
overwhelmed with invitations. Whe
shall it bep''
had hardly listened to her talk til
felt conscious of the question she ha
asked. l looked up in some bewildel
ment. saying:
Excuse me-what is it you sayp"
"You never listen to me-" she eN
claimed, petulantly. 81 was tellin
you about Marmaduke Varens. He
the best parti in town, and l was say
ing that we must give party fot him
l do wish You would take some interes
in what say"
"But, mother, | don't know MI
XnrnnSN I snid dnnrooat;nol,r. oh