Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1889-12-20
MERLE'S CRUSADE.
4 BY ROSA NAUCHETTE CAREY.
Author of Barbara He1theote,s Trial -
"Queenie's Whtn, y 'sThc Search
for Basil L1Indllurst.n
CHAPTER yr.-wHEELER 5 FAR,

After all, the difficulties were like Bun
vans chained lions-they did not touch
me- How true it is that zone half our
cares and woes exist but in our thoughts"
had predicted for myself all manner of
obstacles and troubles. and was astonished
to find how smoothly and easily the days
glided by.
From the beginning had found favor
In my mistress eyes, and Mrs. Garrett
had also expressed herself in warm terms
of appreciation. Miss Fenton was nice,
proper young lady, who gave herself no
airs, and was not above her duties; and
Master Reggie was already as good as
gold with her" This was Mrs. Garnett's
opinion; and as she was a great authority
In the household, | soon experienced the
benefit of her goodwill.
With the exception OF Hannah, who
generally called me nurse" OF miss" |
was Miss Fenton" with the rest of the
household: even the tall house maid,
Rhoda, who had charge OF our rooms, in
variably addressed me BY that name.
Mrs. Garnett generally prefaced her re-
marks with MY dear" | found out af-
terward that she was the widow of a
merchant captain. and a little above her
position; but Anderson, the butler, and
Simon and Charles, the footmen, and
Trayers Mrs. MOrtOn's maid. always &C
costed me by the name of Miss Fenton;
but had very little to do with anr of
Shem-iIst civil good morning as |
pssed through the hall with the chill
zen The messages TO the nursery were
slways brought ~ RhOds; aud though
Mrs Garnett and Travers sometimes came
In for a few minutes gossip | never per-
nitted the least familiarity on Trayers'
part, and, 10 do her justice, Sue never
gave me any cause for ofTense. She was
superior person, devoted to her mistress,
and As she and Anderson had been en-
gagged for years, she had almost the stalQ
manners Of a married woman.
soon became used to my new duties
aud our daily routine was perfectly sim
pie; early rising was never a hardship to
mel was too strong aud healthy to mind
il In the least. Hannah lighted the fire,
that the room should he warm for the
children and brought me cup of tea.
AT first protested against such an un-
usual Indulgence, but rs Hannah persisted
that nurse always had her cup of tea,
submitted to the innovation.
Dressing the children was merely play
work TO me- with Hannah to assist in
euBtyiu2 ana filing the baths: When
cleaned and fed the canaries, aud attended
10 the flowers, Hannah got the perambu-
lator ready, aud VIC went into the park or
keusiugtOn Gardens
Joyce generally paid visit to her moth
sr's dressing room before this. and on our
way out baby was taken IN for a few min
ntes in his little velvet pelisse aud hat.
We generally found Mrs Morton reading
hur Hat tara t,ft la INN ta ha
hair ard arranged IL for the dav. She
used to look up 80 brightly when she saw
.. and such a lovely color would come
1 to her face at the sight Of her boy, but
size never kept him long BE quick.
Trayers" she would say putting the child
IN my arms. IL can hear your masters
footsteps on the stairs, aud he will be
waiting for me-" And then she kissed
her hand to the children. and took mp her
letters again; but sometimes | caught a
stined sigh as we went out, as though the
days work was distastcfnl to her, and she
would willingly have changed places with
me.
On our return the children had their
MONDAY steep and Hannah aud | busted
ourselves with our sewing until they woke
up and then the nursery dinner was
brought up by Rhodu. Hannah always
waited upon us before she would consent
10 take her place.
In the afternoon sat at my work and
watched the children Mt their play. or
played with them. When Reggie was
tired nursed him, and III the twilight l
sung to them or told them stories.
| never got quite used to Mr. Morton's
visits-they always caused me embarrass-
ment His duties at the House occupied
him so much that he had rarely time to
do more tenn kiss the children. Some
times Reggie refused to be friendly, and
struck at his father with his baby hand,
but Mr.. Morton only laughed.
Baby THINKS fardie is only II man."
Joyce observed once, on one of these Occa-
sions, "hut him is fardie'
Mr.. Morton looked lttle grave over
this speech.
Never mind, my little girl; Reggie is
only "A baby, aud will know his father
soon" But think he was grieved a little
when baby hid his naughty little face ON
my shoulder, and refused TO make friends.
go go, was all he coudrscended to OBJ
serve In answer to his fathers blandsh-
ments.
Mrs Morton seldom came up to the
nursery until was putting the children
TO bed. but even then she never stayed
for more than ten minutes. There were
always visitors below, or it was time to
dress for dinner, or there were letters to
write. IL was evident that Mr.. Morton's
wife had no sinecure's post. | think no
hard-worked seamstress worked harder
than Mrs Morton in those days.
Now and then, when the children were
sleeping sweetly in their little cots, and l
vas reading by the tlre, or writing to
Aunt Agatha, or busy about some work
of my own, | would hear the soft swish of
silk dress in the corridor outside. and
there would bc Mrs. Morton. looking love
lier than ever, in evenng-dress.
81 have just come to kiss my darlings,
Merle" she would say. Dinner is over,
and am going to the theatre with some
friends; they are waiting for me now, but
had such longing TO see them that |
could not resist it,"
1T is a bad night for you to go out" 1
observed once. "Rhuda says it is snow
Ing, and ,ou have a little cough, Travers
tells me"
"Oh. it Is nothing" she replied. quickly;
81 take cold rerr easily" But / noticed
sne shtyered a little, ana drew ner Iurreu
mantle closer round her. How warm
and coy you look herew CHANGING round
the room, which certainly looked the pic
ture OF comfort, with the lamp on the big
round table, and Hannah working beside
#; and then she took mp my book and
looked at it. IL was a copy of Tenuysou's
poems that Aunt Agatha had given me ON
my last birthday.
"If You want books Merle" she said.
kindly, MIR. Morton has large library,
and | know he would lend YOU any. il
you will only be careful OF them. Charles,
the under tootman. has charge of the
room. II you go early in the morning,
and write out list OF what You wish.
and give IL to Travers, l wilt see you are
supplied
Thank you; oh, thank You, Mrs Nor
toni" | exclaimed. gratefully. for l was
fond Of reading, and the winter evenings
were long, and book was better com
pany than Hannah. though she was q nice
girl aud never found her in my way. |
used TO talk To her as we sat at work to-
gether She was little shy with me at
first, hut after a time her reserve thawed.
She was q farmers daughter, the young
est but ono OF twelve cnildreu AMI her
mother was dead She told me she had
five sisters in service aud sll doing Well;
but the eldest Molly, stayed at home TO
take care OF her father and brothers.
grew Interested at last in Hannah's
simple narrative Ii was a new expert