Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1886-12-10


very kind 10 her. Her pupils were
good and ailcc tomato with the careless
Affect on 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 ylo her duty, to teach
the chillren well and wisely, to help
Mrs. Boucher with her numerous guests
and society cares.
The house was to be full for regatta
rs usual. and Stella had promised to
give up her holiday TIL they were all
gone again. She was writing notes for
a great garden party when the little
girls burst in upon her in wild excite
mcnt.
"Oh, Miss Howard! only think! Sir
Richie is comng-our own dear Sir
Richie. Isn't it lovely!' they cried.
''And who may SIR Richie be?' in
quircd Miss Howard, very composed
ly, directing another envelope.
Not know our Sir Richicp Why,
everybody knows him. He plays
tennis with us, and rows us on the
lake, and BUYS us dolls. Fancy,
mamma. Miss Howard does not know
our own darling Sir Richier'
Miss Howard has been out of So
ciety so long that there is an excuse
for her not knowing ut least the name
of Sir Richard Fcllowcs." responded
Mrs. Boucher.
The pen rolled over upon the newly
addressed envelopes and ruined two.
"Sir Richard Fellowes?" was all
NJ S. Howard could gasp ont.
"feS, the great inventor and civil
engineer. He had his baronetcy con-
ferred Il few months ago, when he
finished 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
rich and the fashion. I'm lucky to
get him here. even for a flying visit;
but my husband and he are old
friends. and he is wonderfully fond of
the children. Can it be that YOU
have never heard OF him, really?"
I'll met HIM some years ago."
Stella managed to falter.
Gladly would Stella have hidden her
self in her distant school room that
night and pleaded neuralg n or any 9TH
er synonym for a broken heart rather
than enter the crowded drawing room.
whence the soft flow of voices and
laughter floated out from the open win
dows over To her own room in the wing.
But Mrs. Boucher had told her that
they would want some singing and
governesses must not indulge their feel
ings when other peoples entertainment
is at stake.
Stclla's heart seemed beating in her
ears rs she entered the great drawing
room behind Il tray of coffee cups and
hid herself in sheltered nook near the
piano.
AT first she could see nothing clearly.
the rose shaded lamps threw SO dim a
light; then she grew aware of group
of smiling, interested people. all bestow-
ing their most gracious smiles and at
trntions 10 a tall figure "a their midst.
Could that be Dick Fellowes hat broad
shouldercd man with the brown mus
tachc and close cropped. curly mead.
who moved and spoke like man conf
dent of his own powers and used 10
succ ed and please? Stella thought Of
the ill-tittng garments of old days rs
sne noticed the shapely cut of his coat
collar and the grace Of self-posScSsion
in his every movement Dick had red
hands and bic boo,s and suggested a
bull in china shop. Was there some
mistake after all?
A moment and then he raised his
head and she caught the old merry
smile and the flash of the qu OK. gray
eyes; and half blinded and bswlldered
with rush of recolections, Stella
malr her way to the piano II obedience
to Mrs. Boucher's smile and nod.
Why had Mrs. Boucher asked her to
sing Golden Day,?" 1t was Dick $
fayoritc song long ago. and Stella felt
a if it would choke her Her voice
shook so that Mrs. Boucher's guests
thought their hostess had good deal
overpraised her governess' style. and a
Mis-, Ncrney near by remarked to Sir
Richard Fellowes that She did not adj
mjrc that tremolo kind OF manner 50
many girls affected.
A. She rose from the piano stool her
eve, met those of Sir Richard. who
was standing close TO the piano. There
was nothing beyond the most casual
recognition in the slight bow on both
sides. and Stella got away somehow TO
her own quarters TO find vent for the
passionate flow of tears that overcame
all her self control
The next day was to be the grand
garden party. Miss Howard was sup
( posed 10 be unostenta;iously in the
background. dressed in her best to keep
a supervision over her little pupils
Ethel and Maud. wild with delight,
FASTENED her out to the tenn lawn long
before any one could possibly be ex-
pected To arrive.
Just one tile game before the peo-
+ Pile come to the grounds, Nj IS Howard.
1 You know we may not play when all
the grown up people are here. and we
do so want Il little, tiny game, begged
/ the children.
Miss Howard mindful of her best
/ cream gown and the difficulties of ten
mis- when combined with long gloves
and plumed hat, vainly endeavorcd to
escape.
"Only little scrap of play. All!
/ you know YOU can't refuse they said.
And Stella was forced to laugh and
"A L..