The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1888-07-28
Loves Teaching.


who decl mes to speak evil whethe
with or without cause. Of another
then / shall love. and not unit
then"
The words were spoken half jes.
ingly and half cynically by Theodor
Darleigh-a grave-faoed. keen eyes
handsome man of thirty.
The spesch echoed impressively
through Ruth Avery's heart and brain
she wondered IL 1t implied some re
buke for her. If he counted her. too
among them who were ready to thinl
and speak kindly OF others.
Ruth was one of the few who 90
casionalIy subject their thoughts
deeds and motives to severe and
searching examination. She wished tt
do what was right, simply for pure
rights sake; but all the same she de-
sired Mr.. Darleigh's good opinion, and
his half jesting and half cynical COM
ment had strangely dinturbed her SEN
tive heart
She had dreamed that he might love
her. There had been times when she
fancied that his grave face frightened
at her presence, that his voice took q
softer tone. his dark eyes tenderer
light when she was near him.
She recalled his words now as she
sat watching the groud at the further
side of the long parlor.
The newly-engaged governess had
just entered with two rosy little lads
Ruth's motherless nephews. the child
rem of her brother Chester.
Chester Avery at the moment was
chatting in friendly fashion with the
governess. and Mr.. Darleigh was
turning over a pile of music at the
piano.
As Ruth silently watched the group.
It occurred to her, as it had several
times before, that the new governess-
M IS Eldridge-was singularly familiar
TO her somehow.
The straight. slight figure. the deli
cate and colorless profile. the midnight
eyes. the massive coil Of purplish-black
hair-all impressed Ruth with vague
feeling that she had somewhere met
Miss Eldridge previously.
Theo. Darleigh turning over the
music. presently adjusted sheet be-
fore him, and struck the opening
chords of THE Roman Charioteer."
DO you not sing it, Miss Eldridge"
he asked
For a second Miss Eldridge made no
response. At the opening chords of
the song her whole attitude and ex-
preston changed. She started as if
before a threatened. blow; a scarlet
spot like flame leaped to her colorless
cheeks; her midnight eyes dialated as
IL with terror.
II am hardly equel to singing it
now" she said at length, with the
pltcOuS VI q
Ruth, sitting at the opposite end of
the room. had noticed the agitation of
the new governess.
Her own face whitened. and she
could scarcely restrain the cry which
quivered ON her lips.
She knew now where she had met
Miss Eldridge.
Memory pictured the scens!-a glow
ing Southern sky, the thronged seat of
brilliant Southern city. grim prison.
building looming blackly against the
dazzling sunlight the iron doors yawn-
ing to receive weeping girl who had
been accused Of theft and not far away
a band playing the wierdly resonant air
of Tho Roman Charioteer,"
In that weeping prisoner she reoog-
nized Miss Eldridge, and she did not
marvel that the governess had shud-
dered at the sound of the strain. which
must ever be associated in remembrance
with scene of pain and ignominy.
In the moment in the shock of that
recognition, Ruth Avery deemed her
duty clear.
A girl with such blot upon her past
was surely not desirable instructress
and companion for those two innocent
little lads!
And there was no doubt about the &C.
cusation against Miss Eldridge. Ruth
herself had been stopping at one of the
hotels In the fashionable Southern re-
sort where the affair happened. and one
of Ruth's own acqaintances had made
the charge against tho girl.
The acquaintance was wealthy lady
who was fond of an almost destinations
display of costly jewels and trinkets.
Among these articles was curious
fan. which she had purchased at an al
most fabulous price from some musty
relic depository of Europe.
The mountings of the fan were of
ivory, inlaid with gold and precious
stones, several of which were of consid-
cradle value.
She had left the article for moment,
with her book. upon garden seat;
when she returned. il was gone.
No one had been near the spot but
the governess of her little ones, and
some one had observed the governess
bending over the seat for an instant
and Immediately hurry away.
These details and the sight Of the
girl vanishing within the black prison
doors. constituted the story as it had
been forced upon Ruth's attention; of
the girls name at the time. she had
been ignorant.
As Ruth recognized Miss Eldridge
and recalled the affair." she felt that the
duty before her was no less painful
than plain.
Miss Eldridge had produced excel
lent and questionable recommended
tons; she had but recently been in the
employ of an exclusive family. who es-
teemed her highly, and were 10th to
dispense with her services.
But of course. all these people are