San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1890-03-05

L DtB YOUR pdTuOI, ma dlil.
81 have come by appointment" I re-
turned, with as much dignity as | could
summon under the trying circumstances;
twill you inform your mistress, Mrs. Nor
ton, that have come about the nurses
situation"
OF course, he was looking at me from
head to foot In spite of the Disgusting
plainness of my dress. | suppose the word
gentlewOman was clearly stamped upon
me- Heaven forbid that under any cir
cumstances that brand sole heritage of
my dead parents, should ever be effacedl
Then he opened the door of a charming
little waiting-room, and civilly enough
babe me seat myself, and for some min
utes | was left alone. | think nearly
quarter ef an hour elapsed before he re-
appeared with the message that his mis-
tress was now disengaged and would see
me. / followed the man as closely as l
could through the long hall and up the
wide staircase; not for worlds would |
have owned that certain shOrtneSS of
breath, unusual in youth. seemed to impede
me. At the top found myself in a hand
some corridor, communicating with two
drawing rooms of noble dimensions as
they call them in advertisements, and
certainly it was a princely apartment that
| entered. A lady was writing busily at
small table at the further end of the room
AS the man spoke to her she did not ut
once raise her head or turn round; she
was evidently finishing Il note. \ minute
later she laid aside her pen and came to-
ward me.
81 am sorry that could not attend to
you at once, and yet You were very punct-
ual" she began, in pleasant, well-mOdu-
lated voice, and then she stopped and re-
garded me with unfeigned surprise.
She was very lovely young woman,
with an indescribable matronly air about
her that spoke Of the mother. She would
have been really quite beautiful but for
certain worn look often seen in women of
fashion; and when she spoke there was
| sweetness and simplicity of manner that
was most winning
Pardon me" with a shade of perpleXi-
ty in her eyes, but suppose my servant
| was right in stating that you had come by
appointment in answer to my advertise
| ment?"
Yes, madame" returned, readily; for
her slight nervousness put me at my ease.
II have your letter here
and you are really applying for the
nurses situation-the upper nurse,
mean; for, OF course, there is an under
nurse kept. l hope" (cOlOring a little)
"that you will not think me rude If | say
that was not prepared for the sort of
person l was to see."
could have groaned as thought Of my
pOte Was it possible that I had spelled
advertisement" wrongly? And yet |
had the paper before me; my handwriting
was neat and legible; but evidently Mrs
Morton was drawing some comparison be-
tween my letter and appearance, and did
not doubt that the former had not prepOs,
sessed her in ms favor.
l became confused in my turn.
81 hope to prove to you, began, in 3
very small voice. that am a fit person
to apply for your situation. | am very
fond of children: | never lose my patience
with them as other people do, or think
anything a trouble; | wish to take up this
work from love as well as necessity
mean," correcting myself, for she looked
still more astOnished, that though | am
obliged to work for my living, | would
rather be nurse than anything else"
will you answer a few questons?"
and, as though by an after-thOught, twill
you sit DOWN." for she had been standing
to keep me company, out of Difference to
my superior appearance.
Il will answer any question you like to
put to me, madame. "
You have never been in service, you
tell me in your letter. Have you ever
filled any kind of situation?"
/ shook nv head
you are quite young, | should Say?"
Extraordinarily last Christmas"
81 should hardly have thought you so
old. Will you oblige me with your
name?"
Merle Fenton"
A half smile crossed her beautiful
mouth. 1t was evident that she found the
name somewhat homogeneous, and then
she continued little hastily, IF you have
never filled any sort Of situation, it will
be somewhat difficult 10 judge of your ca
pacity. OF course you have good refer
enCes; can you tell me a little about your
self and your circumstances"
was fast losing my nervousness by this
time. In few minutes I had given her
a concise account Of myself and my be-
longings. Once or twice she interrupted
me by question, such as, for example,
when spoke of Aunt Agatha, she asked
the names Of the families where she had
lived as goyerness; and once she looked
little surprised at my answer.
81 knew the Curzons before 1 was mar
RED" she observed, quietly; they have
often talked to me Of their old governess,
Miss Fenton; her name is Keith now, you
say; she was a great favorite with her pu-
pills. Well, is it not pity that you should