Waterbury evening Democrat., 1890-02-14

SclLcO lu0 Ut INC lHOuSnG tlab ndu
pledged myself to stay for five whole
woman.
CHAPTER XIV.
Tho day after my holiday, which was
Thursday, went to my ''nest" under
the trees by the pond. I had neglected
to visit it tho day before, an unusual
occurrence, but Twas fevcris from the
excitement Of my adventure, and Mr..
Rayncr had forbidden my walking
about tho grounds for this reason.
found Mona sitting among tho reeds,
not far from ny "nest.' playing with
some bits of pa er, which she was busy
burying in the mud with the aid of two
little sticks. [ stopped down and
picked up one or two of the bits of pa
per. There was writing on them in q
hand knew an had not made out 4
dozen words before 1 knew that Mona
had got hold of q note written to me by
Mr.. Laurence Rcadc.
Down jumped into the mud. caring
nothing for it although [ sunk in up to
my ankles. 1 made 4 careful search in
the mud and around upon the ground
and collected every piece of paper
could find, which l carried to my room.
I carefully cleaned the fragments and
after much effort fitted them together
into pretty coherent whole. The
note ran, as well as I could make out:
"DEAR MISS CHRIsT1E:-I am so anxious
about you that must write Is it true that
here there was piece missing-"an accident
that you are i'll. hurt? If You are safe and
well will you pass the park in Xo,r wall, Ito, to-
you'-another piece missing; ~ shall put
this on the seat near the pond, where l know
NCNynr F,rnfr
Yours very sincerely.
"LAURENCE READE"
It was dated "wednesday" and
this was Thursday afternoon; so that it
was this mornings walk that he had
meant. Oh, if l had only come out
here last night and found the letter!
would 60 past the park tomorrow; but
perhaps it would be too late, and he
would not expect me then-he would
think was too ill to come out.
So the next morning l took care to
pass Goldman Hall, both going and re-
turning; but the first time | saw no one
in the park, and the second time. to
my surprise, l saw Mr.. Rayner and
Mrs. Reade sauntering along together
under the trees in Il very friendly man.
ner. l had noticed that it had grad
ually become quite natural for the
mis-. 1tCtttlC w III " III
Rayner as soon rs we all came out of
church on Sunday, and for them to
have a long chat together, while hen
daughters looked at the people from.
the Alders as supercilously Is before:
but did not know that he visited at
Goldman Hall, still less that be and
Mrs. Readc We're on terms Of such in
timacy that she leaned on his arm AZ
they walked along, and laughed as he
talked in n much more natural and I'm.
affected manner than her dignity gen
orally allowed.
The next evening I had to go to tea
at Mrs. Manners to take part i'll the
final arrangements for the school treat
which was to occur the next day. Mrs
Manners received me with the utmost
kindness and introduced me to the
Misses Reade, who greeted me with icy
politeness. l did not find it q pleasant
party. The talk ran upon parish mat
tiers, of which L knew nothing; and ]
went to table by the window and
looked at the photographs in two large
albums. When Mr.. Manners came in
there was stir, and as he remarked it
was a.pleasant day they all flew upon
this topic and worried it to death. Then
he came and sat by me. greeting me
kindly, and showed ME some pictures
of scenery and told me what places
they represented.
Then we mad tea. after which we
went upstairs to look at the articles for
sale. While we were looking at them
Mrs. Manners said to me, nervously:
"You have never been in Il situation
before, have your
mo. never before
"a governess' position has many
trials and difficulties
II haven't met with any yet" said
I, smiling.
..Of course some families are pleas
anter to live with than others. But III
all there arise occasions when we must
pray for guidance.
Eyes, Mrs. Manners very gently.
can honest open face" said she, as
though talking to herself. Then in a
quicker and more practical tone:
81 hope you will not think I am
catechising you rudcly; but Mr.. Man.
ners and take q great interest IN you,
knowing how young and inexperienced
YOU are to have to go out into the world
alone. And he thinks lhave neglected
you little. But, you see, Mrs. Ray
ner is so very-rcserved, and lives such
secluded life, that it is not easy to
form an intimacy. But l want you to
feel sure, my dear Miss Christie, that,
if you should want a friends advice at
any time, you need not fear to contide
in me; and Mr.. Manners, being a man
and your parish clergyman, could help
you in cases where my woman's judg-
ment might be at fault.
1 thanked her with tears in my eyes,
and, although l did not anticipate
needing her help, her manner was SO
sincere that l was touched by it.