Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1889-03-02
The Story Of a Governess.
IN EPISODE OF LIFE

IN EPISODE OF LIFE
AM confident Mr. Virgins never had
told so long story in my presence, as he
did when I announced my intention Of
answering an advertisement for COVER
ness.
He and his wife were opposed to my
leaving them, and this story was concern
ing young girl who went as governess
and died from overwork.
The station master, as we drew up, babe
us make haste. if we didn't want to be left,
and soon the last words were spoken and
WAS alone.
felt utterly desolate and fiendless as I
sank back in my seat. was an orphan
with few friends, and was going ont as .
governess.
In my depressed state, that morning,
the name of my new employer seemed
more inspiring and aristocratic than eve,
before Claude huntington"
felt instinctively that he would be Q
tall, pompous, elderly man, with piercing,
coaI-black eyes, and fierce whiskers col.
ored to a jetty hue. And Christabelle,"
the daughter-how could I-plain Eva Nor.
ris. make myself useful and agreeable tc
Christabelle Huntington
He had mentioned in his last letter that
Elfrida Winthrop, his cousin and ward,
was an inmate of his house he thought il
would be pleasant for me to know that
was to have young lady companion.
At the next station q alf.drunken mar
came into the train.
He was dressed like gentleman, and
proba!oly was one when sober. He came
mp to the seat where I was. and paused
before it, as if intending to sit himself be.
side me. But l had only time to give one
frightened glance, when the blue-eyed
handsome stranger opposite left his seat
and. laying his hand on the mans shoulder
said:
Take my seat, colonel, am tired d
sitting"
And half compelled by the firm hani
upon his shoulder, the tipsy colonel sanl
into vacant seat
Ore look of gratitude I gave my un-
stood few minutes by the door, and then
passed out on the platform.
thought no one left the train but my.
self at the wayside station and as there
was one carriage in sight, an elegant phe
me; but one glance at the drivers fac4
dispelled the presumptuous belief.
He looked over me, as If I were an IN
corporeal substance, through which land.
scapes might be enjoyed
But eve as looked, he leaped down,
and opened the carriage door, and at that
moment l heard light quick step behind
me. and glancing around, there stood my
handsome. blue-eyed stranger.
He lifted his hat as he approached, and
said. as courteously as if I were queen:
pardon me, but think you are Mis-,
Norris? ?"
| bowed affirmatively.
Allow me to introduce myself as Mr..
Huntington, your correspondent. We look.
ed for you to morrow"
81 thought you wrote for me to come On
the thirteenth"
81 daresay the mistake was mine," said
he. My writing, fear, might be i'm.
proved by your judicious training"
BE assisted me into the carriage, and
after leaving some directions about having
my trunk sent on Immediately, he entered
himself, and the prancing gray dashed OF
through the quiet country road.
For few moments we drove on in u.
ience, and then he told me about my pupil:
He said she was an invalid, through an in.
jury to her spine, received when an infant,
and SO he did not want her to study any
more than her health would permit.
But his business took him away from
home q good deal, and he wanted some
one he could trust to leave her with.
It was q large mansion, Of light gray
stone, fairly enbowered in foliage and
bloom. The grounds were spacious and
beautiful, and as we drove up the long
avenue, I could catch . glimpse through
openings in the green shade, Of Summer
houses, fountains, and statutes IL W
passed up the long fight of white marble
steps into the grand hall, Mr.. Huntington
turned to me, and said, with . smile:
Welcome to Huntington Manor, Min
Norris"
And then, hearing . servant, he directed
him 10 show me to my room. Iwas grats.
full for this, for I wanted to make some
changes In my dress before I met the ladies
of the family. bad only taken OF my
wappings, and was bathing my faoe. whom
q particularly wakeful looking gid came
and said that Ais Christie wants 10 sec
you at once; she amt % well - common
to-day, and she said she couldn't wait Q
minute"
She led the way nearly the length Of the
upper hall, and then opened the door ints
. large, pleasant room, and there, lying
upon Q crimson sofa, was my pupil. A
we entered, she had one ann around hea
fathers neck, and he was bending ovel
her, telling her something in low voice.
I took her mite of white hand IN mine
and bent down and kissed her.
She read my face earnestly, searchingiy,
and then said, Is If talking to herself:
ST think I shan like her-I think ]
Ghall."
At dinner I met Miss Winthrop. She
vas . calm-eyed young lady, with IN evi.
Dent consciousness that Elffida WipthruR
was certainly equal, If not superior, to enS
lady Of her acquaintance. But liked hes
very much; she seemed 20 STRONG and self-
reliant, that 70 my rather dependent a
suEs she W. ven fassipati1R.