Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1886-07-22


new bonnetP Varens will be there.
and SO much depends on first impress
sion.
went to service with my mother,
but unfortunately, Varens was not
present, and consequently the execu-
ton my new bonnet would have effect
ed was reserved for future. time, or
forever.
in my hurry | had forgotten to ap-
point an hour for the stranger to cali,
and as | was obliged to go out, was
in continual fear lest she should come
while | was away | hurried nv
mother through her shopping, at the
risk OF making her out of humor at her
interview with the expected music
teacher. Fortunately, however, my
mother had been to lunch, and was in
her boudoir indolently discussing our
purchases when the bell rang, and
servant came up. to say that there was
a lady below who wished to see Miss
Romano.
'Did she say what her business WASP"
inquired my mother as | rose to de-
scend to the drawing-room.
Something about giving music les
sons, ma am, was the answer
ut is she, then!' exclaimed, NOV
ing toward the door, but was arrested
by my mothers saying:
''Show her up here"
l stood waiting to receive her, feel
ing almost AS anxious, l thought, as the
stranger herself. The girl paused at
the door, her face tightening up as she
saw me into brilliance which was the
most exquisite compliment that could
have been offered
"This is the lady of whom I told YOU.
mother" | said
L 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 suayity 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 politeness.
"My name is Kent" she said Your
daughter has probably told you that /
am in search of situation as music
teacher"
The light of her face had died away;
she was mechanically repeating the old
story.
Eyes; l wish to engage teacher for
my little girl. You could teach on the
organ and piano, presumed"
'Yes; and harp and guitar, Also"
"And vocal music?"
Eyes, madam
would you mind playing little to
us on the piano thereP"
Miss Kent rose and went to the
piano. She glanced at the music lying
there, then sat down and played. Her
playing was perfection, it seemed to.
me, but l knew 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 like that, can
he, Mabelp" asked my mother, turning
with pleased face to me.
nv 'hab llOiuCub SeTNdnU entered |
with some cards. My mother looked
at them, and exclaimed:
"The Chapmans and Mr. Varens! Come
down, Mabel, as quickly as possible.
Engage Miss Kent, and ask her to
make her home here, as you wished.
l would like to have you come to-mor-
row, Miss Kent For the present,
good-bye;" and she hurried from the
room.
l did as my mother requested. l |
had only to look in Miss Kent's face to
be assured of her gratitude. / knew
the obstacle her pride would be to our
attempts to make her entirely our
equal, one of our family! Ny mother
liked her; my little sister Annie was as
enthusiastic in her affection as possible.
Insensibly Miss Kent grew less re-
served, her face had more color, more
the animation of happiness. She left
the parlors when company was an
nounced, and disliked to return unless
requested to furnish music; then she
regarded it as duty, and always COM
piled.
"You have very peculiar governess,
Miss Romaine,' said the elder Miss
Chapman, as she stood by my side
looking toward the far end of the
drawing-room, where Miss Kent sat at
the piano, surrounded by a group of
our visitors, and with Marmaduke
Varens bending over her, turning the
leaves of her music with an air widely
different from one of polite indiffer-
ence.
"She is not strictly governess, Il
replied. But in what is she peculiarP"
"She actually acts and looks as if
she were among equals, instead of SUI
periors," was the contemptuous answer.
l yielded TO the temptation of reply
ing:
"She is certainly lady. 1t is evil
dent that Mr.. Varens thinks her one,
and he, you know, is gentleman.
Miss Chapman eyes scintillated with
anger. | wondered if she were really
engaged to Mr.. Varens. as report said.
looked at that gentleman. His tall,
graceful form was still bending over
Miss Kent; he did not lose an oppor-
'''J Va ihuA hiuiihS ooiueIhiIlS Ill uer
ear, utterly forgetful that the watchful
Chapmans were present His dark face
and gray eyes were animated and
pleased. Thus much l could see in the
mirror which reflected both their forms.
l could not distinguish the expression
of Miss Kent's countenance. Ifsncied,
however, that she was distant, vet
sweet; that Varens found her lndescrib-
ably fascinating, as | had done.
This was several months after
Miss Kent had come to our home.
Mr.. Varens had seen her almost
every time he had called,
and he had taken occasion to call
quite often. He was fertile in expedi-
ents for getting Miss Kent called down;
and, had L been Miss Chapman, l
should. perhaps. have felt somntb;pc