Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1888-04-13
MRS. LEIGH'S COVERNESS.
a story OF the Problems of Modern
society.
BY HELEN j. THORNTON.

BY HELEN j. THORNTON.
It was cruel moment when Grace
Courtenay, after her change of fortune
first met her former rival. the rich and
naughty Miss Marlton. They had been
lead ne bellies. two years before. in So
ciety. and rumor had said were COM
pet tors for the hand of yound Stuyves-
ant Mortimer, the sole heir Of the great
banker of that name. But Grace
father had failed. and then died, leav-
ing his family destitute. She was glad.
in this emergency, to accept situation
rs nursery goyerness in the pretty viii
lage of Seaverge, on the shore of Long
Island Sound. To 90 out, in this half
mental condition in New York, where
so many knew her she felt to be i'm
poSs Die; but here. in this quiet and Sc
cludeJ place, sho was not likely to meet
former acquaintance, She thought.
"In time | shall forget she sa to
herself, "as | shall be forgotten.
But the very summer after she went
to Seaverge. an enterprsng inkoeper
put up a spacious hotel, directly by the
water. and laid out around it some 80
acres Of ornamental ground. Immedi-
alel Seavcrge became only fashion
allie resort, but an arstocratic one as
well, for the two are not always the
same. And here, one morning. when
ont on an errand. Grace came sud
denly on her old rival. whe was driving
along one of the country roads, in n
phaeton, behind pair of handsome
ponies, and with n footman. in livery
and cockade, in the rumble.
Il wonder if she will speak to me.
thought Grace, her first impulse being
to turn away. But she had brave
soul; and so. after moments hesita-
ton, she looked full at Miss Marlton.
The latter saw Grace. and evidently
recognized her. for her face flushed,
even through its abundant coat of pow
der; but she did not bow; on the con-
trary she stared as if the two had
never met before.
Il might have known it," said
Grace, bitterly; "our worlds now are
different But what IN insolent starel
am sure, if she had been poor gov
erness and the heiress, l could not
have treated her so.
Nor could She This thought dwclt
more and more, in Grace's mind, as
she unused. that afternoon. in her fav-
orite nook by the little river back of
the Leigh grounds. a spot she always
resorted TO for quiet and composure
when she had been overtasked. or
worried, or agitated. Yes. she was.
more and more. surprised. For Grace
had one of these rare natures that rise
above wealth and false post on. She
had, even in her happier days, liked
people for themselves, and not for
what they had If, in some secret cor
ner of the + heart. almost unknown to
herself, she had cherished a preference
for Stuyvesant Mortimer, it was not
because Of the millions he was expect
ed to inherit, but because of what she
supposed to be his generosity OF heart
and his INFORM nobility of character.
Alasi this illustration, like MANY an
other, had been diSsipated by expert
encc; for. from the day of her fathers
death. she bad never seen young
Mortimer, though, before that, he was
the most asSiduous of lovers.
She had known, always. that Miss
son far to seek. The latter had "come
out year earlier than Grace. and
Young Mortimer during that first win
ter. had been quite attentive. But,
when Grace took society by storm.
twelvemonth after VI - Marlton lost
her half-won conquest. "She j. hav-
ing her revenge now. thought Grace.
with removed bitterness. Il don't
suppose he ever thinks of me. All
well, why should he? | am only
poor governess. and, since his father
is dead. he 5 one of the richest Young
men. they say. in America" She end
eel with sigh. that broke. moment
after, into IA alf-contemptuous laugh
What do you think | heard?' said
Mrs. Leigh TO her husband the next day
ut luncheon. at is that young Stuy-
vesant Mortimer is TO marry Miss
Marion"
What! the daughter Of the great
railroad OPERATOR replied Mr. Leigh.
well It's u great catch, even for her.
Railroad shares, you know. INV dear,
have queer habit. often, of becoming
next door to worthless; but the Morti-
mer fortune, made in railroads. have
been transferred TO government bonds
and other iirst-class securities. and, is
as safe rs gold itself. y
"Ihev say" retorted the wife, "that
tbs young Mortimer is one Of the
handsomest of men and great swell"
"Ah" said her husband. "Well. |
don't know HIM, even in business In
fact. socially. the Mortimers have al
ways moved in higher sphere than
the Leighs He's been in Europe. you
know, for year and more. hand in
glove. I'm told, with the best people
there"
Grace heard this conversation with a
beating heart. for she ALWAYS lupched