The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1886-08-20


engagement to Lancashire manufac-
turer's daughter was in all the society
papers within fortnight and as Stella
tried to crush out the modification and
resentment from her heart which seemed
full to overlooking, there sounded in her
ears, as if it were a prophesy, Dick
Fellowes' parting words
"No one will ever love you as have
done"
Was it all the perversity of a woman's
nature that made Stella's memory dwell
SO often and so kindly on the recollection
of that wooing as time went on? In the
old days life had held so much love for
her that Dicks seemed thing little
worth the having; now that She was that
lonely thing, governess in other peo-
pies houses, she wondered how she
could have despised any love so honest
and so true. and her recollection of
clumsy Dick grew to be very kind and
gentle one.
Not that her lot was as hard as that of
many; indeed. the Bouchers were very
kind to her. Her pupils were good and
affectionate, with the careless affection of
children she had plenty to eat and
drink and nothing to complain of, except
that her life had passed her by. She
tried to do her duty, to teach the
children we'll and wisely, to help Mrs.
Boucher with her numerous guests and
society cares.
The house was to be full for regatta as
usual, and Stella had promised to give
up her holiday till they were all gone
again. She was writing notes for o
great garden party, when the little girls
burst in upon her in wild excitement.
ooh, Miss Howard! only think Sir
Richie is coming-our own dear Sir
Richie. Isn't it lovely !" they cried.
''And who may Sir Richie be?' in.
quired Miss Howard, very composedly,
directing another envelope.
"Not know our own Sir Richie Why,
everybody knows him. He plays tennis
with us, and rows lis on the lake, and
buys us dolls Fancy, mamma, Miss
Howard does not know our own darling
Sir Richie !"
"Miss Howard has been out of society
so long that there is an excuse for her
not knowing at least the name of Sir
Richard Fellowes." responded Mrs.
Boucher.
The pen rolled over upon the newly
addressed envelopes and ruined two.
''Sir Richard Fellowes?" was all Miss
Howard could gasp out.
Eyes, the great inventor and civil
engineer. He had his baronetcy con-
ferred a few months ago, when he fin
ished his great railway line to Thibet;
and he's just been stopping at Osborne.
Is it possible you've never heard his
name? Why, he was one of the lions of
last season, young, rich, and the fashion.
I'm lucky to get him here even for fly
ing visit; but my husband and he are
old friends, and he is wonderfully fond
of the children. Can it be you have
never heard of him, really"
ell met him some years ago." Stella
managed to falter.
"Then people would think You fortu-
nate. However, fear you won't have
much chance to renew your old acquain.
lance; Sir Richie is such an object of
attention from both de6utdntes and ctaper-
ones. He is one of the great parts of the
season, you know"
And Mrs. Boucher laughed n little
good-natured laugh.
Gladly would Stella have hidden her.
self in her distant school-room that
night. and pleaded neuralgia, or any
other synonym for broken heart,
rather than enter the crowded drawing
room, whence the soft flow of voices and
laughter fioated out from the open win
dows over to her own room in the wing.
But Mrs. Boucher had told her they
would want some singing, and COVER
nesses must not indulge their feelings
when other peoples entertainment are
ut stake.
Stella's heart seemed beating in her
ears as she entered the great drawing
room behind tray of coffee cups, and
hid herself in q sheltered nook near the
piano.
At first she could see nothing clearly,
the rose shaded lamps threw so dim
light; then she grew aware of group of
smiling, interested people, all bestowing