Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1886-06-17

stood waiting to receive her, feel-
ing almost as anxious, Thought, as the
stranger herself The girl paused at
the door, her face tightening up as che
saw me into n brilliancc which was the
most exquisite compliment that could
have been offered.
This is the lady of whom told you,
mother said.
| knew that my mother would notice
the quiet, perfect good breeding with
which the girl responded to her greet
ing.
please be seated, Miss" said
my mother. with as much suavity as
though she were addressing one Of her
own circle. However vain and friv-
olous my mother was, she was always
| polite, with that genuine kindness Of
heart which is the soul Of politencss.
"My name is Kent" she said. Your
daughter has probably told you that
am In search of situation rs music
teacher
The light of her face had died away;
she was mechanically repeating the old
story.
"Ycs; wish to engage q teacher for
/ my ihht HllAs lou foulu ltdNu vi luc
organ aud piano, presume?'
Yes; and harp and guitar also. "
"And vocal mrsic?n
| Eyes, madam
"Would you mind playing a little to
us on the piano thore?'
Miss Kent rose and went to the
piano. She glanced at the music lying
there, then sat down and played Her
| playing was perfection. II seemed to
me but | know instantly that she was
not in the mood; that to play thus on
| trial did not summon the soul to her
music. Her knowledge. her touch.
were Incompatible. and hoped some
day to feel the thrill Of enthusiasm in
that touch.
"Delorme can not play Ike that, can
he, Mabel?' asked my mother, turning
with a pleased face to me.
AZ That moment a servant entered
with some cards. My mother looked
at them. and exclaimed.
"The CT mans and Mr. Narcns! Come
down. NJ, Hc. "a, quickly as possible.
Engage Nis. Kent, and ask her to
make -tr FCus hctc, as you wished.
| wNulI Ike g. have you come gp-mor-
row, Miss Kent. For the present,
good-byo;' and she hurried from the
room.
did as my mother requested. I
had only 10 look in Miss Krnt's face to
be assured OF her gratitude. | knew
the obstacle her pride would be to our
attempts 10 make her entirely our
equal, one of our family! My mother
liked her; my little sister Annie was as
lnsensibly Miss Kent grew less re-
served, her face had more color. more
the animation Of happiness. She left
the parlors when company Wa; an
nounced. and disliked to return unless
requested to furnish music; then she
regarded it as a duty, and always conf
piled.
"You have very peculiar governcss.
Miss Romainc,' said the elder Miss
Chapman. as she stood by my side
looking toward the far end OF the
drawing-room, whore Miss Kent sat at
the piano surrounded by group of
our visitors. and with Marmadukc |
Narens bending over her, turning the
leaves OF her music with an air widely |
different from one OF poiit, indiilcr- |
encc.
"She is not strictly a goyerness, |
replied. "But in what is she peculiar?' |
"She actually acts and looks as If |
she were among equals, instead Of SUI
pcriors, was the cOntemptuous answer.
! yielded TO the temptation Of reply
ing:
'She is certainly lady. 1t Is evil
dent that Mr.. Narens thinks her one,
and he, You know, is a gentleman.
Miss Chapman eyes scintillated with
anger. / wondered il she were really
engaged to Mr.. Nareus. rs report said.
| looked at that gentleman. His tall,
graceful form was still bending over
Miss Kent; h. did not lose an Oppor-
.unity Of murmuring something in her
ear, utterly forg-tful that the watchful
Cbapmans were present. His dark face
and gray eyes were animated and
pleased. Thu, much / could see in the
mirror which reflected both their forms.
! could NOT distinguish the expression
Of Miss kcnt's countenancc. Ifancied. !
however, that she was distant, vet
sweet; that Narons found hcrindescrib- |
ably fascinating, as ! had done.
This was several months after
Miss Kent had come 70 our home. |
Mr. Narens had seen her almost |
every time he had called. |
and h. had taken occasion TO call |
quite often. He was fertile in eXpedi- |
ents for getting Mis-. Kent called down; !
and. had | been Miss Chapman. |
should, perhaps, have felt something |
Of the angry suspicion which she GEN |
orally concealed. ] WAS coming along |
the upper hall one day, when the bell /
rang, and some one was admitted. |
hc,itated for moment about going |
down. and hcarl Mr.. Varcns' voice in |
a low tone. and the mclOdious tones Of I
Miss Kent in reply.
Evidently Miss Kent had been pass |
ing through the hall as Yarens had en-.
tered.
Il came to see you, Miss Kent he /
said, hurriedly. Il heard you saying /
to Miss Romaine the other day that |
You had never been on a slcigh-ridc |
Ii is excellent s.cighing; my cutter is |
at the door; il you are no, engaged, do /
please favor me.
His voice was bcsccching / imag- |
ined Miss Kent's face gave no assent
"fOu are very good, but / must
give Annie her lesson aud indeed. Mr. I
Farens, can not 90 with YOU
IL was not In her usual se!f-possrssci /
tone that she replied; in her accent / /
discovered that Narens was not wholly
Indifferent 10 her. knew the fearful
conflict which heart. and pride would
light before she would acknowledge,
even % herself that she loved him?
"Ihtu you do not wish 10 go?' His
roice was uncOnsciousiy rcproachful,
md full Of respect. II have escaped
, hundred engagements that | might
give mys II this pleasure.
'ou that my pupil awaits me? Good
morning