San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1888-03-21
/ l.

several score of miles from the capital, in
southern direction.
Clara ksinger, young German girl of
scarcely 10, had been governess to little
Olga; it was her first situation, and there
was no doubt that for beginner her lines
had fallen in very pleasant places indeed.
1t had been quite an unlocked for chance
which had secured this enviable position
for the penniless German girl, and landed
her so many hundred miles away from
her own home in the depths of savage
Russia. Not longer than six months pre-
viously, Count FrOloff and his wife, on
their way home to Russia after wintering
in Paris, had been compelled to stop for a
week at Stuttgart on account of some
passing indisposition of the countess.
While staying there it became necessary
to dismiss the Partisan governess who &C
companied them, that elegant female hav-
ing been detested in some glaring breach
of honesty or morality, and, casting about
for remplacante the sweet face and cap
tivating manner of Clara Elsinger had so
taken the great lady's fancy that she en-
gagged her on the spot, overcoming what
ever reluctance the girl might have felt to
leaving her native land, by the assurance
of liberal salary.
And in truth this reluctance was of no
very powerful nature, no more than the
natural shrinking of young timid crea-
ture to break wi n the present and make
the plunge into totally new and unknown
surroundings. She had no close home ties
to make the wrench q painful one, know
ing well that her absence would be rather
a relief than pang to the querulous old
aunt who, out of a mere sense of duty,
had taken care of her since she had been
an orphan.
She had had no cause as yet to regret
her decision The Froloffs lived in prince
ly fashion, and everything about their es-
tablishment was replete not only with
splendor, but also with comfort, two
things which do not always go hand in
hand-at least not in Russia. Her du
ties had been light, she being only
required to instruct the child in German
and music, while for the other languages
and accomplishments various other teach
ers were employed.
Still half a child herself, Clara partici-
pated in every pleasurable pursuit of her
little charge; the long drives in her perfectly
appointed pony carriage, the boating par
ties on the river, the games of ball in the
long gallery. Countess Froloff treated
her more like another daughter than a
hired attendant, and she wondered how
people could talk of the life of governess
being a hard one.
In this way the summer had gone by
swiftly like one long uninterrupted holi-
day. Quickly had Clara accustomed herself
to her luxurious surroundings, for this
habit is sooner learned than unlearned,
and the idea that it would ever have to be
unlearned again did not even come to her
mind.
Such had been the state of things up to
two days ago, and then one evening, after
q somewhat long row in the boat, little
Olga had complained of sore throat, which
had rapidly developed into diphtheria,
and, despite the best medical assistance,
taken Il fatal termination within twenty
four hours.
"NVas it possible that only the day be-
fore yesterday they had come back to-
gGther in the boat laughing and jeSting,
bearing huge sheaves of dripping bull
rushes plucked from the river"' thought
Clara as she sat alone in her room. Only
the day before yesterday! And now she
was making the wreath to be laid on the
poor child's coffin.
Clara was sitting on a low fOOtStOOl,
and her deGCGte fingers were busy at work
weaving the snowy Camelias into heavy
garland. She looked very sweet sit
ting there in the twilight, with
the large pure flowers heaped on
her lap, her dark blue gown hang
ing in heavy folds from her lithesOme
figure. the silkcn plaits of her golden hair
wound ti@htly round her little head She
became the flowers, and they became her,
and had she but raised hci eyes to the
mirror opposite she could not have failed
to see what Il fair picture they made to-
geth"r. But she never raised her eyes,
and ever and anon as she worked heavy
drop splashCd down on the waXen petals,
or she Was forced to pause and wipe away
the tears Obscuring her vision.
The wreath was finished at last, and
Clara now sat mOtiOnless holding it on
her la, absorbed in a mournful reverie
No Thought had as yet come to
her ,Hat this death could in any
way affect her own position; she was
as yet too bewildered and benumbed
by the suddenness of the blow, for she
had been much attached to her charge.
Her thoughts were all of the unfortunate
parents thus stricken. Of what use were
now their endless riches when they had
lost their only darling? Some confused
notion there may have been in her mind,
that it was to her the heart broken mother
would doubtless turn for consolation when
the first sharpness of the blow was spent.
Was she not called upon hencefOrth to
enact the part of daughter to the poor
lady who was even now sobbing out her
very soul within darkened chamber?
Clara's reflections were presently inter
rupted by knock at the door, followed
by the appearance of liveried footman.