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


AM confident Mr.. Virgins never had
told SO long a story in my presence, as he
old when I announced my intention OF
answering an advertisement for o 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, bade
us make haste. if We didn't want to be left,
and soon the last words were spoken and
was alone.
felt utterly decoIate and fricndless as I
sank back in my scat. l was an orphan
with few friends, and was going out as a
governess.
In my depressed state, that morning,
the name of my new employer seemed
more inspiring and aristocratic than even
before Claude Huntington"
l felt instinotively that he would be q
tail, poinpous, elderly man, with piercing,
eoaI-black eyes, and fierce whiskers col.
ored 90 a jetJy hue. And " Christabelle, !"
the 6sughter-how could I-plGin Eva Nor
ris, make myself useful and agreeable &c
Christa5elle Huntington?
lie had mentioned in his last letter that
Flfrida Winthrop. his cousin and ward,
was sn 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 half drunken mar
came into the train.
He was dressed like gentleman, and
probably was one when sober. He CANT
up 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:
flake my seat, colonel, I am tired q
sitting"
And half compelled by the firm hani
upon his shoulder, the tipsy colonel sanl
into a vacant seat
One look of gratitude I gave my un-
snown friend, who walked forward and
s:ood few minutes by the door, and then
passed out on the platform
/ thought no one left the train but my.
self at the wayside citation and as there
toa, l fancied it might have been sent fol
dispelled the presumptuous belief.
He looked over me, as if l were an IN
corporeal substance, through which land.
scapes might be enjoyed.
But eves as looked, he leaped down,
and opened the carriage door, and at thai
moment l heard light quick step behind
me, and glancing around, there stood my
handsome. blue-eyed stranger.
II, Eefol hic hot ho ohaS and
said. as courteously as if were queen:
Norris?
l bowed afirmatively.
- Allow me to introduce myself as Mr..
Huntington, your correspondent. We look.
ed for you tomorrow"
81 thought you wrote for me to come on
the thirteenth. "
81 daresay the mistake was mine, said
he MY writing. l fear, might be in.
proved BY your judicious training"
He 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 a few moments we drove on in 81.
lence. 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 o good deal, and he wanted some
one he could trust 70 leave her with.
1t was large mansion, Of light gray
stone, fairly empowered in foliage and
bloom. The grounds were spacious and
beautiful, and as we drove up the long
avenue. could catch q glimpse through
openings IN the green shade, Of 6ummer
houses, fountains. and statutes. As We
passed up the long fight of white marble
steps into the grand hall, Mr.. Huntington
turned to me, and said, with a smile:
Welcome to Huntington Manor, Mia
Norris"
And then, hearing servant, he directed
him to show me to my room. I was CRATE.
full for this, for wanted to make some
changes in my dress before met the ladies
of the family. I had only taken off my
wrappings, and was bathing my face, when
particularly wakeful looking girl came
and said chat Miss Christie wants to see
you at once she amt so well as common
to-day. and she said she couldn't wait q
minute"
She led the way nearly the length OF tho
upper hall. and then opened the door into
q large, pleasant room, and there, lying
upon a crimson sofa, was my pupil. Al
we entered. she had one arm around he,
fathers neck. and he was bending owe,
Ter, telling her something in low voice.
1 took her mite Of a white hand IN mine
and ben. down and kissed her.
She read my face earnestly, sea,chingly
and tten said. as if talking to herself:
SCI think / shall like her-I think
shall"
At dinner / met Miss Winthrop. She
was calm-eyed young lady, with IN evi,
aent consciousness that EnridA Winthrop
was certainly equal, if not superior, to any
lad, of her acquaintance. But liked hen
rery much she seemed 20 strong and self.
reliant, that to my rather dependent m