The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1886-03-13


very sorry, hoped this and that, and
swept gracefully out to her carriage,
while Martie mounted with rather
slow step to her little four story room,
to watch and wait, and wonder II
everybody would find her too young.
She was not to blame for it, anyhow,
she said TO herself, trying to coax a
laugh.
No one else came that day, but the
next morning there was an early call
for ''the lady who advertised. Martie
was glad she had on the gray dress;
for she looked older in it. But gray
or black was al the same; she was
again weighed in the balance and found
wanting-not in years this time but
in German; and as one weary hour
after another went by, and no other
applicants appeared, Martie grew
heavy hearted. Her advertisement
was TO appear three days. Two had
already passed resulting only in disap-
pointment. Mrs. Allen tried to en-
courage her, but when night came and
the O'Clock dinner, Martie felt sad
aud homesick.
81 hope no one has made arrange
ments to carry you off just yet Mr..
Raymond said, as he took seat be-
side her at their end OF the long table.
no" said Martie, ''No one wants
me. I'm too young, and | don't know
German" And big round tear
rounded over into her teacup.
"There's no cause for discourage
ment in that, assure you," said Mr..
Raymond. 81 know people who
would not find fault withyou on either
score"
Then he went on talking to her in
such pleasant way that she soon
became interested, forgot all her
troubles and the tear in her teacup,
and was as merry as though she had
been older and had known German.
Mr. Raymond staid downstairs I'M
til 10 O'Clock, read aloud an old-time
freside story, and kept the ball OF con-
versation rolling in such pleasant
channels that Intervening was gone be-
fore Martie knew it, and in spite OF all
her disappointment 1t had somehow
been the plcasantest oneshehad spent
there.
The next morning a lady came to
see Martie in behalf OF her mOther-in-
law, and Martie engaged to 90 on the
following day to see the place and peo
pie.
There was no poetry about Mrs. My
rick. She wanted her girls to have
good, strong education-no jimcracks,
no turin language to iabber in. She
was willing to pay good wages-would
give a governess ego a year and her
board; but she mustn't expect much
waiting on. They didn't keep any
servant-didn't need any; pity
'twould be if two hearty girls like hers
could not do their own work
But before she had time to carry
her resolution into effect, Mrs. My
rick herself appeared, having made up
her mind that Martie would not dofor
them. She hadn't been brought up in
their ways, and was like to be partik-
kler
Mrs. Aileh next advised that Martie
should try one of the educational
agencies in the city, and an applica-
ton was accordingly made. Then fol-
lowed more days OF anxious waiting
and hope deferred, resulting at last in
a visit and generous offer from lady
who won Martie's heart at the outset
with her pleasant face and winning
ways, and her gentle, motherly talk
about the little boy and two little
girls at home for whom she wanted
teacher and companion. But alas
that home lay hundreds of miles
away.
1t seemed to Martie like going to the
ends of the earth. She had twenty
four hours in which to decide; spent
half the time in wavering between yes
and no-between the courage to go
and the homesickness that crept over
her heart at the very thought OF it.
Then scolding herself for a genuine
coward, she made up her mind that
go she must, and 90 she would.
WHAT exclaimed Mr.. Raymond
in atone OF surprise. "Have youreal-
ly made up your mind to 90 so far
from home and all your friends?"
Eyes, l must CO." said Martie, with
a little culver in her voice. "Please
don't say anything to discourage me-"
81 wouldn't cor the world, )" returned
Mr.. Raymond, only that | know of a
situation nearer home, which you can
have if you accept it. Come into the
reception room and will tell you ell
about it"
Marie was all eagerness now. How
delightful if, after all, she should not
be obliged to make an exile OF herself.
at is companion, not q teacher,
that is wanted" Mr.. Raymond con
tinued. "Wouldyou be willing to take
a situation as companion?"
Martie's face fell little, but she an
swered:
81 should be glad to take such sit
uation, if | could fill it. Do you think
| could? ?"
"I'm sure you could"
"Do you know theperson who wants
a companion p
Yes"
"Who is it,"
"Myself"
YOURSELF How-what-n The
exact question which Martie intended
asking Just here must be left to the i'm
aglnatlon, since she did not seem to be
quite clear about it herself.
Mr.. Raymond continued: Eyes, it
is !, Martie. | want you for com.
panion, my wife" The gray eyes
twinkled as he asked: "Will you take
the situatiOn?"
An hour later Mrs Allen entered the
room, exclaiming: "Bless my soull'
as she stumbled upon an unmistaka.
BILE pair OF lovers.
My dear Mrs. Allen" said Mr.. Ray
mOnd, taking his blushing "compan-
ion" by the hand and leading her to
the astonished old lady, Il know you
will be glad to hear that Martie Will
not now be able to make an engage
ment with that lady; she has already
made one with me-"