The Penn's Grove record., 1886-04-17

| her bosom Sle mas placed "a punch Oh
snow.drcps embedded in moss, and a
corresponding bunch nestles against
her neat brown plalts. Her gloves,
fan, and the little high heeled shoes are
all by the best makers; and Flo mods at
her reflection a%pprovingly.
"I doubt somehow if Mrs. Fits-Mau.
rice Smith will appreciate her COVER
ness this evening" she says, with a
wicked little laugh. Then she makes
her way to the schoolroom, where Cor
nelia and the younger children are
awaiting her.
Claw |" exclalms that young lady.
What a swell you are |"
81 really thought you were a lady at
first" says Tom, promenading round
Flo with evident admiration. 81
shouldn't mind kissing you'll"
"I'm sure ma won't like your Dress"
continues Cornella decidedly
Flo smiles as she makes answer,
good-humcredly-
"Since your mamma was kind enough
to invite me to her dance, it would
have been a poor compliment to attend
it in linsey-woolsey."
II don't say linsey-woolsey, but a
black dress, like u other governesses.
Why, nobody will know who you are
if you dress like thati'
"You can relieve their minds by tell
ing them,' answers Flo lightly; and
then, without further parley, she leads
the way downstairs to the brilliantly
lighted rooms where Mrs. Smiths guests
are fast assembling.
do you see that gentleman with his
back to us, talking to LOuieP" asks
Cornelia, as they enter the largest
apartment, dedicated to dancing.
eyes" answers Flo, with a catch in
her breath. 1t is ridiculous of her, of
course-men are 81 much alike in even
ing dress-but the bend of the head,
the quarter-profle, with the dropping
dark moustache, strike her for the
moment S being familiar.
"He is the greatest catch in the
neighborhood; and, if Louie marries
him, ma says her utmost ambition will
be satisfied"
Flo cannot restrain a smile as she
asks
"What is his name2"
But Cornelia finds no time to reply;
a long-legged youth with an eye-glaSs
and a lisp is soliciting her hand FOR the
coming dance, and her attention is
given to him.
Flo stands for a moment, feeling
altogether alone; her eyes are still half
questioningly fixed on Louie and her
stalwart cavalier. She is at too great a
distance to catch any of their CONVEX
sation; but. as the notes of Il valse
break on the heated air, Louie rises,
and a minute later IS whirling past the
spot where Flo stands alone and unap-
preciated. She sees the mans face
clearly as Loule's pink tulle train
brushes against her skirts, and, after
seeing it; she leaves the dancing-room,
and, retiring to the dimly-lighted hall,
proceeds to hide behind the ample skirts
Of some half-dozen chaprons who have
chosen the luxurious lounges of the
hall as a desirable resting-place con-
veniently handy to the refreshment
table.
The corner Flo has selected is very
obscure, and, what with the heat, the
distant sound of music, and the near
buz2Ing of the d~owagers' tongues, she
is beginning to experience q sense OF
drowsiness, when a deep voice says in
accents of surprise close to her ear
4Ou uOWA III oulloulAC3 HAIoo
BrymerI 1 did not know that you had
friends in this part of the country"
CHANGING up quickly. she sees a pair
Of kindly gray eyes looking with pleased
surprise into hers. For a moment FlO's
hand is held IN a firm clasp which does
much towards rousing her from her
dreams; and she answers, with a smile
and a dash of her old piquancy-
81 don't think you can accuse me OF
having many friends, or you would not
lind me sitting out"
"Ah." he answered with a CHEEKY
laugh. ''you are a stranger in the
nelghborhoodI But I'll o find you
plenty of partners if you wish to dance;
only first give me your programme and
let me mark down my own"
81 don't possess a programme, and l
am quite sure l am not expected to
dance" answers Flo, with a comic
little shake of her head. II am Mrs.
Smiths governess."
"You are iokingl" says the gentle
man, speaking incredulously.
"lndeed L am not" responds Flo,
with what appear like tears in her eyes.
II nave been earning my bread for the
past three years."
He does not laugh at her tragic way
of putting it, but answers grayely-
II heard of your fathers death, but
had no idea that it would make any
change III your circumstances. | always
thought him wealthy"
sit was the old story" answers FlO
sadly. "He concealed the real state of
his affairs from us, hoping, l suppose,
AlaA NInrv .~Aa,I1 oanal. tho anHal NIA I
double shock of his death and poverty"
"And your mother?" questions the
gentleman. in a low tone.
''Oh, she is living at Waretown with
Harry, who has some vague idea that
he is going to repair the fortunes of the
family by becoming a great doctorl"
"And why could you not remain with
them?" asks the gentleman, knitting
his bTows slightly.
"Because l am commonplace enough
to require food and clothing" replies
Flo, with an almost bitter ring Ill her
young voice.
A flush o~verspreads the mans face as
he recognizes that he had wounded
her Flo notes the deepening color,
and hastens to heal the hurt her me.
mentary impatience has caused.
81 developed a talent for teaching"
she explains lightly, ''just at the right
time; and it Is really not such very bad
work, except in exceptional cases."
"And is this an exceptional casep"
he questions.
Flo gives a laughing but expressive
nod.
"There is the music striking up for
another valse; dance it with me for the
sake of 'auld lang syne,'" says the
gentleman pleadingly.
Flo rises willingly enough, and lays
her neatly. gloyed hand ON his arm.
Half an hour later the same gentle
man is holding a few moments n
verse with Miss Fitz-Maurice Smith.
81 nearly had a fit just now, MIR.
Cole" remarks that young lady. hiding
her face behind her fan, as though TO
conceal her mirthful tendencies.
''IndeedI How sop