The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1891-02-21
A PAIR OF NIECES.

loud voice.
The woman's two young nieces
sat by the window, shrinking back
as if every word had been blow.
They had been with their aunt a
month-just long enough for the
grass to become green on their
fathers grave and the Grape trim
mings on their frocks to grow little
crumpled and rusty.
And now, went on the portly
dame, it is time for you to do some
thing for yourselves. I'm not rich
you know.
But we don't know what to do,
Aunt Matilda, said Kate.
We are willing to work if any one
would show us how, murmured
Ginevra.
General Livingston wants a gov
erness for his granddaughter, six
and seven years old. Music, French
and Latin required. You shall take
that position, Ginevra, said her
aunt.
The taller Of the girls changed
color
don't kaow much about music,
said she. Papa taught me Latin !;
but I'm quite ignorant of French.
Say you know it, said Mrs. Ub5-
dell, sharply. And do the best you
can. General Livingston is at home
very little. Twenty to one he'll
never find it out. AT all events, I've
told Miss jerks, the house keeper,
that you will be there to morrow at
nine O clock to take the situation.
But Aunt Matilda, wouldn't that
be acting lie -? faltered the girl.
A lie, indeed almost screamed
Mrs. Ubsdell, her eyes ablaze with
anger. How dare you say that word
to me, Ginevra Hall As for you,
Kate, you are to 90 as companion
to Miss Ramona Ray. She's deaf as
a post, and you've got good clear
voice to read aloud to her. She's
bad tempered and exacting but it's
the business OF you young people TO
give way to your elders-and any
way you have your living to earn.
The girls looked aghast at each
other when Mrs Upsdell left the
room.
What shall W. do? asked Kate.
Obey, l suppose, sighed Ginerva.
1t is very evident that we are un-
welcome here. Aunt Ubsdell grudges
every bit of bread we eat. Oh,
Kate, Kate, if we could only have
died and been buried with papa
We must do the best we can, said
Kate, ho was dark, with soft, vel
vety eyes, and skin as fair and fine
grained as a Bermuda lily. Perhaps
this Miss Ray is not so bad as we
think. l shall try to be patient.
And | am to enter the family OF an
aristocrat under false pretenses 7
cried Ginevra, | hope | shall earn
my salary.
Ginevra was as unlike as possible
to her dark haired sister-a rosy,
dimpled, childish girl, who scarcely
looked her seventeen year.
Kate looked at her with tender re
gret.
The idea of your being Cover,
ness exclaimed she.
Or of your turning lady's COM
panion retorted Ginevra. But | do
believe, Kate, we would go as gypsy
tortune-tellers, or take situations as
scullery.maids, to get out from under
Aunt Matilda's eye.
Miss Ramona Ray was rather
deaf-there could be no doubt OF
that. But kate Hall had a clear,
distinct enunciation, and found little
trouble in making her hear.
And really, her temper was rot so
very bad, after all.
1t was necessary to be very par
ticular in the care of her parrot and
the daily bath of her poodle dog,
the watering Of her plants, AMI the
preparation of the rose creams and
the lily lotions that she used for her
venerable complexion.
But she conceived a decided fancy
for her new companion took her
out in the carriage for a daily drive,
and told hsr the whole story OF the
Mexican officer who had once Deen
engaged to her, and who went away
to Chapultepec or some OF those
four syllabled places, and mar
ried Spanish sonora even while
Miss Ramona's wedding cake was
being baked.
Wien Miss Ramona told this
story to any one, it was a sign OF a
very high favor indeed.
Miss Ramona had only one rela-
tive in the world-a nephew-and
he was a naval officer. And, as ii
happened, he came home on a visit
when Kate Hall had been week
with his aunt bursting into the room
at twilight, like a cheerful tornado.
Well, Aunt Mona, said he. Here
| am. Got your letter at Norfolk
What sort of a coGpanion have you
got now Regular old maid, eh ? OIL
a widow in dyed bombazlne and eye
glasses?
Hush, Geoffrey, said Miss Ray
Kate my dear, bring candles. This
young lady is my companion a
$ present Miss Hall, allow me tc
: present my nephew, Lieutenan
ROssmOre.
, You see, said Kate, laughing,
am neither an old maid nor widow