Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1890-10-16
THE sIGNET RING

Little Amy Willis was very happy.
And tall, sinewy Auguste Laporte was
wildly, enthusiastically happy. You see,
these two loved each other
Only three years ago Amy came into this
family of good French people as a COVER
ness. She had come from a broken home
and much sorrow. Hen father had been a
prince among mere hants; but faiinP, he
Gilled himself through sheer despair.
Her mother had died soon after, so grace
full, pretty little Amy was a homeless or
phan.
Protection was offered her by her uncle
out he was purse proud and Amy had al
ways been stupidity Independent little
body. Again protection was offered, by
a man twenty years her senior, who own
ed many houses and horses; but, protest
ing that she did not love him, said No. "
Will it be believed, people blamed her
very mud especially her relatives, for re-
fusing such a match. Only one sensible
woman commended her.
81 know family, said the latter,
who are looking out for governess. Now,
to be a governess in that house, is quite
equivalent to being a daughter. The peo-
pie are old and have only one son. and two
orphan grandchildren, little girl and a
boy. They are the sweetest creatures
ever saw, docile and affectionate, as only
French children can be.
Give me the address, said Amy, rising.
The children are orphans; that is
enough and she dashed two tears from
her clear grey eyes. 81 know ] shall suit
them. ! have a presentiment that shall
find home, not only in their house, but
in their hearts.
Such curious old-fashioned house as
Amy was directed to! Full of quaint al
coves, dim corners, unexpected turnings
and old-fashioned furniture. But the
rich paintings on the wall, the elaborate
carving, the faultless statues all exercised
r7 7rrtt III 4 the
girls heart. And when the old couple
came in; both together like two fond child
rem, Amy felt the tears filing her eyes
they were so handsome, so graceful, so
venerable.
Amy fell in love with the children just
as she had with the sweet-faced grand
parents. Little Marie evinced her liking
at once by taking Amy's hand caressingly
in her tiny pink fingers; and Robert,
whose magnificent eyes had won for him
an enthusiastic admirer in Amy, crept
up and inquired confi@entially if she liked
music.
YES; like music 0. all kinds" said
Amy, land have even learned to play on
the violin"
Then the child looked up at her as if
she were some divinity, for the little soul
was full of music.
Amy took up her abode with the La
portes, and no formalities ensued.
Every day she rode out with them and
the little ones in the roomy carriage;
she always took her meals withe the fam
ilv: they become very fond of her and she
of them.
One day little Marie came in beaming
with delight, exelaiming; Our dear,
dear Uncle Auguts is coming home to-
day. she said.
And at dinner handsome young man
with tawny beard and mustache, with
bits of golden light cleaning over both,
was introduced to Amy as "Our Sol, Au-
guste.
Amy blushed crimson, not at sight Of
HIM, exactly, but thinking of the man she
had pictured to herself The blGsh be-
came her-she looked like beautiful rose.
OF course, Auguste noticed the blush, and
made mental note that Amy was beauti-
full, though he was not surprised at that,
having listened to d list of her per
fections from both the children and grand
parents.
Amy had lived with the Laportes year,
when a fearful trouble overlook them-bOth
beautiful children died within a week of
each other.
1t was Amy who shrouded their little
forms. and made wreathes and Gro sses of
purest flowers with which to deck their
ccfins: it was Amy who, with mute cares
ses, stroye to console the bereaved grand
parents while it seemed to ler as if her
heart must break
One morning she had been listlessly
packing up her boxes, when a maid
brought a summons from Mrs. Laporte.
She found the old lady seated at a small
table, the miniatures of the children open
before her. At her side sat her white
haired husband.
BE seated. Amy" said Mrs. Laporte.
Amy's heart gave a great bound.
''Fitine tells me you are packing up
your boxe,?'
Amy, usually so selI-possesseu, burst
into tears.
my child, were you going to leave us?"
Amy dried her eyes.
Il must earn my living" she said, her
voice trembling.
land you shall; but you must stay with
us. Our angels loved you. To see your
sweet face about the house, keeps US from
despair. We say to each other. Amy is
with the children; she is hearing little
Robert play his fiddle, and teaching dear
little Maria to embroider. No, no, We
can not part with you; then the house
would seem dreary indeed. Now, you re-
feet, as il were, the faces, the smiles of
BUR two idols. Stay with us-if, indeed
the company of two old people will not
seem dismal to your youth
Amy interrupted her with loving pro
Thn,- tho 1aarac+ and