Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1888-06-13
MRS. LElGH'S GOVERNESS.

1t was cruel moment when Miss
Grace Courtenay, after her change OF
fortune, first met her former rival, the
rich and naughty Miss Marlton. They
had been leading bellies, two years ago,
in society, and, rumor had said, were
competitors for the hand of young Stuy-
vesant Mortimer, the sole heir OF the
banker ofthat name. But Grace's faith
er had failed, then died, leaving his
family destitute. She was glad IN this
emergency to accept a situation as
nursery-governess in the pretty village
of Seaverge, on the shore of Long Isl
and Sound. To go out, in this half
mental condition in New York, where
so many knew her, she felt to be i'm
possible; but here. in this quiet and Sc
Guided place, she. was not likely to meet
former acquaintance, she thought.
"In time | shall forget" she said to
herself, ''as I shall be forgotten"
But, the very summer after she went
to Seaverge, an enterprising innkeeper
put up a spacious hotel, directly by the
water, and laid oIt around it some fifty
acres of ornamental ground. Imme-
diately ;Seaverge became not only fash
ionable resort. but an aristocratic one
same. And here, one morning, when
out on an errand, Grace came suddenly
on her old rival, who was driving along
one of the country roads, in a phaeton,
behind pair of handsome ponies, and
with footman, III livery and cockade,
in the rumble.
Il wonder ifshe will speak to me-"
thought Grace, her first impulse being
to turn away But she had a brave
soul; and so after a 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 an lnsolent stare ! | am sure
if she had been a poor governess and
l the heiress could not have treated
her So"
She had known, always, that Miss
Marlton hated her. Nor was the rea-
son far to seek. The latter had gone
out a 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, Miss Marion lost
her half-won conquest. "She is having
her revenge now thought Grace with
renewed bitterness. II don't suppose
he ever thinks of me. All. well, why
should he +? | am only poor gOverness,
and, since his father is dead, he is one
of the richest young men, they say, in
America" She ended with a sigh, that
broke, a moment after, into a half-cOn-
temptuous laugh.
''What do you think [ heard ?'' said
Mrs Leigh to her husband the next
day at luncheon. sit is that young
Stuyvesant Mortimer is to marry Miss
MarltOn."
'What the daughter of the great
railroad operator ?" replied Mr.. Leigh.
"Wen, it's a great catch. even for her.
Railroad shares, you know, my dear,
have queer habit often OF becoming
next door to worthless: but the Morti-
mer fortune, made in railroads, has
been transferred to government bonds
and other first-class securities, and is as
good as gold ITSELF
''They say" returned the wife, "that
this young Mortimer is one of the
handsomest of men and great swell"
"Ah replied her husband. We'll,
| don't know him, even in business.
In fact, socially, the MorLimers have
moved in a higher circle than the
Leighs. He's been in Europe, you
know, for a year or more, hand IN
glove, I'm told, with the best people
there"
Grace heard this conversation with
81 beating heart, tor she always lunched
with Mr.. and Mrs. Leigh their lunch
was, in fact, her dinner. She had not
heard before of her old lovers absence
in Europe, and only knew of his faith
er's death from a paragraph in the
newspaper. Naturally, she could not
help being moved at this news. But
her lip curled with contempt as she re-
called the fact that he had deserted
her the moment she tecame poor.
She slept but little that night, natural
ly The children were especially trying
the next day, for the prolonged heat
was telling on their tempers. So, after
lessons were over. Grace started for
walk, following the little brook, on its
shady side, as it wound to the sea. 1t
was a pretty streamlet, widening at
places to quite a small river. Turning
the corner, Grace came suddenly on
Miss Marlton, sitting in boat, pretend
ing to fish, but looking up every mo-
ment as if she expected some one.
pet dog was in the front of the boat.
Hearing Grace's step, the pampered
plaything sprang up and began to bark
fnriously at her. At the same instant
MISS Marion detected our heroine, anu
opening her large, lazy eyes, stared
again, this time even more supercll-
iously than the day before. Grace bur-
ried on as fast as she could, her cheeks
hot with modification and anger. But
her haste was not sufficient to carry her
out of sight and hearing, before she
saw manly form-which she knew too
well-and heard a voice that made ey-
cry pulse of her body thrill. 1t was
Stuyyesant Mortimer, who had sud-
denly appeared from the grove on the
other side of the stream, and to whom
Miss Marion called 10 come and row