Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-02-23
A CLANDESTINE CORES
PONDENCE.

4
| why, Kate, we've been fancying you as
happy as the day is long verify believe
mere isn't another governess in the kingdom
SO comfortably placed in all respects; and you
know you are only an amateur, without GER
uhcates OF diplomas, or anything Of that sort
In sure Mrs. Bulstrode spoke to us Just now as
II you were her daughter and was her daugh-
ters friend. What can you possibly find to
complain OFF,"
Complain? You quite misunderstood me !!
1t would be not only ungrateful. but idiotic be-
| sides. What meant to say was, that in spite
OF everybodys kindness-on that account, per-
haps-iife is rather dull. Mrs. Bulstrode has
such a lot of friends, and she's always so busy,
80 Interested, that it makes one feel lonely-I
can't express what 1 mean; but the result is
that would give anything to have some con-
Germs OF my own to occupy me-"
"Well, but my DEAR" said Lydia, glancing
around and laughing, isn't it possible that
you may find some such occupation shortly?
Capt. Bulstrode seems to be as pleasant as he
is handsome" q
| "Oh, you can't imagine what funny idea
! that is. Capt. Bulstrode is certainly pleasant.
| what have seen of him; but he appears to
| think that the only conversation possible with
| young lady is an exchange of smiles. So far
/ as tueN 20 DIS REMARKS are most agreeable, Tor
he has very nice teeth; and respond as prettily
as can. But in three days We have already
| exhausted our store OF topics-at least have,
Tor Capt. Bulstrode never recollects that he Of
| Tered the same obseryation-that is the same
smile-half a minute ago. It's like saying,
How dye dqx all day long, and feel the APP
proaches of thinning imbecility.'
The school-roon maid entered, and while
| she was laying the tea-table Kate Shafto talked
| merrily with her cousin of old times Then,
hn r1rn air of
| newspaper.
Captain Bulstrode could never give me an
interest in life, even if be wished and if let
him try, which are both utterly out of the
| question. But here is an opening with VEN
geance. Lydia, as Tom used to sayI You recol-
iect how l crossed the channel alone after poor
| papas death, and now kind q boy was to me?
| See what appears III all the newspapers this
| morning" Lydia read:
IL this should meet the eye OF the young
lady who crossed from Bonlogne 20 Folkestone
one night in January. 1888. the young man who
! lent her a rug and an oyercoat begs permits
| slon-which he will regard an honor-to
| correspond with her. He will not ask her
| name, nor seek to ascertain it without her con-
sent. Address Loyalty, care of Messrs. Jordan,
| Austin Friars."
''oh, Kate, dear, what fun! 1t must be you!
| Shall you answer"
what do you Think"
| Il wouldn't hesitate a moment-that is, il
| Messrs. Jordan are respectable people. of
| which have no doubt. Admiral Bulstrode or
| any one could find that out for you"
Yes; but they would find out q good deal
more in the process! There was a regular de-
| bate at breakfast over this advertisement
which was lucky, for it prepared me, that
| kept my countenance when Mrs. Bulstrode gave
| 1t to me to read. The admiral declares il il q
| cryptogram. Everything that appears in the
| second column of the newspapers is inserted
| by nihilists. or dynamitards or swellmobsmen
"A tlGam ont may
| be an exchange of suggestions for blowing up
the house AT commons. my dear; or, at best it's
hint for burglary. The police read these
ciphers like book. It's so easy that the admi-
raj himself undertakes to interpret it, with the
| assistance of friend at the senior. Oh. your
notion wouldn't do at all. But you might ask
somebody at Richmond to ascertain who the
Messrs. Jordan are"
''Tll ask Mr.. Williams and let you know at
once"
Thank you, dear. And if his report is favor
able you would really send an answer?'
Indeed would. It's delightfully."- romantic;
| and where's the harm?'
Well, but there's the question of address.
You will take in Loyalty's replies?''
''katei l could not hear of such thing!
Mamma regards second-coumn advertisements
quite as Admiral Bulstrode does. She would
never allow me. even If were willing; and
really must say downright. that can take no
| share in such an INDIGENOUS proceeding"
Think of the romance, dear, / have often
told you what a manly. courteous. high-bred
boy it was. We can rely upon his word, I'm
| quite sure. Nothing will come of it beside
amusement"
tie chit of fourteen, and now You are a WELL
grown young woman, Your manly boy has be-
| come real man in the same time. If you pay
any attention to my advice you will not dream
of pursuing the matter"
Its too absurd, Lydia, Just now you
would not hesitate moment-you would ask
Mr.. Williams and lie. me know at once. and SO
FORTH But l WON'T demand too much Will
you take note to old Hannah asking her to
receive the letters and explaining all the cir
cumstances? I'm quite sure she will consent
IL you put il properly"
Lydia was not unwilling to accept this COM
promise upon conditions which Kate was very
willing to grant. She wanted only the excite
ment an interest OF her own in that busting
CHI. -erful household, where everybody except
the children had packet of letters every
morning. and news of some sort to divert them
even Captain Bulstrode. So it was coven-
anted with all solemnlty that Kate should give
no hint of her name. should not seek to learn
1.-THE boys and. emphatically. should not
grant him a meeting without the permission of
Mrs. Cantley. her aunt. This arranged lydia
became enthusiastic once more and undertook
to persuade old Hannah. So she went away
Certainly nature had not designed Kate
Shafto for governess- The worst disadvant-
age, truly. had been spared her. for she was
not pretty in style which the first glance
recognizes. In fact, the perception of
her beauty came surprise after
some acquaintance. even to those quail
flied TO lit, and most people remained
unconscious to the last. This was owing.
perhaps. to the ivory-white complexion which
prejudiced observers SO far that they did not
look beyond. But persons of taste remarked in
good time that the skin was exquisitely clear
and soft. the features perfect, the dark ewes
full of life and shrewdness and character. The
discovery once made appreciation grew warm.
IN general, with singular rapidity, and reached
the point of enthusiasm. For some weeks
Mrs. Bulstrode thought her governess plain.
| then suddenly perceived that she was interest
ing, and twerty-four hours afterward declared
her lovely.
Kate was happy in obtaining such situa-
ton at the outset. Nothing there reused the
impatient scorn of meanness, the quick pride
or the biting ridicule which prudence would
never have restrained had they been chal-
lenged. Her mistress a charming woman
in the best sense Of that term--so thoroughly
good-hearted that she never thought of DISMISS
ing the girl for her prettiness. Its not the
poor child's fault,' she said to her husband
1--WE must hope that Jack doesn't admire that
style" And Admiral Bulstrode agreed the
| more heartily because he was one of those
who could not see where Miss Shafto's beauty
lay.
But il would certainly be annoying If Jack
did admire that style-much worse than annov-
ing il he carried admiration beyond the ab-
stract point. Though still young. Mrs. Bull