Wichita eagle., 1890-03-09
An AMERICAN Girl,
By NARY E BLAIR.

dEAav h1T
~ elN n THE spring of 1869
~ ESsY was induced, for the sake
&ysasM of rest and recreation, to
WA take charge of a young
I'm American girl during a
ICY tour in Europe. This
Young girl was Miss Helen st. Clair, of
Detroit, Mich. We two were by no means
strangers. She had been my pupil since
the time when she was the prettiest little
creature that ever wore a scarlet hood.
| have little picture, scarlet hood and
all, that would not exchange for the
most beautiful one that Greuze ever
painted. Not that her face bore any re-
fsemblance to the pictures OF Greuze. 1t
had neither the sweet simplicity OF the
girl in 1.-The Broken Pitcher, nor the
| sentimental graces which he bestows on
| his court beauties. 1t was an exceeding
ly piquant, animated face. never at rest,
always kindling. flashing, cleaning,
whether with sunlight or lightning. Her
movements were quick and darting, like
those of a humming bird. Her enuncia-
ton, though perfectly distinct, was mar
velously rapid. The same quickness
characterized her mental operations. Her
conclusions, right or wrong, were always
instantaneous. Her prompt decisiveness,
her talent for Eimicry and her witchery
of grace and beauty won her devoted
following of school girls, to whom her
tastes and opinions were as authoritative
as ever were those of Eugene to the
ladies of her court. School girls, like
college boys, are very apt in nicknames,
and Helen's was the Little Princess, )"
which her pretty, imperious ways made
peculiarly appropriate.
do not know how her parents dared
trust her to me for year beyond the sea,
but they did. We set off in high enthu-
siasm, and Helen was full of mirth and
laughter till we were fairly on board the
steamer in New York harbor, when she
threw herself on her fathers breast with a
gesture of utter abandonment that would
have made the fortune OF a debutante on
any stage in the world. 1t was so un-
looked for that we all broke down, and
Mr.. st. Clair was strongly inclined TO
take her home with him. But SO sudden
was she in all her moods that his foot
had scarcely touched the shore before she
was again radiant with anticipation.
will not linger on the pleasant sum-
mer travel, the Rhine majesty, the AL
pine glory. September saw US established
in the city of cities-Paris. Every
where we had met throngs of Ameri-
cans. Neighbors from over the way in
our own city greeted US warmly in most
unexpected places. But we had not
crossed the ocean merely to see our own
countrymen. In Paris we were deter
mined to eschew hotels and pensions
and to become the inmates of a French
home. Everybody told Us this would be
impossible. but find nothing so stimu
lating as the assertion that a thing can't
be done. Two weeks of eager inquiry
and we were received into a family which
could not have been more to our wish
if it had been created expressly for us.
sor in the medical COLLEGE, hand
some elderly man with the bit of red
ribbon coveted By Frenchmen in his but
tonhole Nine. LIE Fort, a charming,
graceful woman midway between 20
and 80, and pretty daughter of Il,
completed the family. With great sat
isfaction we took possession of the pretty
rooms, all white and gold. that over
looked the Rond Point des Champs Ely
sees.
Ny little princess had found a prince
in her own country, and, considering the
laws of attraction. his sudden appearance
in Paris ought not to have been sur
prise to her. But, to his discontinue,
and even anger, Helen refused to see
him. She had hidden him good-by at
home, she said they would not be mar
ried for three years. if they ever were;
she was going to devote herself TO her
music; and she did not wish to see him
here When he had completed his stud
les and their engagement was announced
Gt was only a mutual understanding
now there would be time enough to see
each other at home. Excellent reason
ingl but fortnight later a tiny hand
slipped between my ewes and The rig
arc little note on which l read:
DEAR FRIEyD Il think should like
to say good-by again.
"Yours. HELEN"
The dark eyes looked half s;.yiy, half
coaxingly into mine.
"Weil," said /, ''katrine viii mail it
for you"
The next day | saw for the first time /
Mr. Frederic Denham. He was taH and I
slender, with a saIlow complexion, rath 7
er dull gray eyes and black hair, by no /
means handsome, but sufficient well i
looking to please friendly eve. In his 4
manners there was 4 coidness and re- I
serve which passed for haughtiness. he +
was said to possess great talents and am
bition. and Helen had the fullest belief 4
in his genius and success. No: Goethe /
himself was greater man IN her eyes.
had frequent opportunities OF seeing !
them together, for. according 70 French +
ideas. nothing is more improper than t.
leave young man and woman no
ment by themselves. Was il my fancy
that he seemed too much absorbed IN
himself. too little sensible Of the rare
good fortune which made him the IA
vored lover ot the BEAUTIFUL Miss st.
Clair: II might be 20. buf others shared IL
What ais the American ssk14
Nine. lie Fort is il possible thar h
is not IN love with that fascinating young
Or are all your country men
a-I I-ffs +