The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-12-05
THEPRETTY GOVERN ESS
BY FRANK Il. sTAUFFER.

ness of the night; a pencil OF light from tue
station lamp, shimmering upon The wei
platform, dimly outlined the figure OF
young girl clad in a waterproof. a carriage
drove up with the curtains closely drawn,
and & loud but not unpleasant voice called
out:
This way. please"
A drive over rough road brought them
TO eommodous residence, surrounded by
grounds ample enough for park As it was
late she was shown at once to a room.
She arose early the next morning, awak-
ened by the brightness of the atmosphere
and the sweet singing of the birds.
She had given her name as Kate Conover,
and had come TO accept the position OF gov
erness in the family.
Presently the lady Of the house knocked
and entered the room. Evidently she was
much pleased with the new arrival, for her
ewes rested upon sweet, frank lace, a
graceful, compact form, and an attire as
neat as II was sensible.
81 hardly expected TO find you so young,
Mrs. Cameron said.
MOP" asked Miss Conovcr; "still-you
will find me proficient:
"0h. 10 be sure" Mrs. Cameron AurTidIy
said please walk down to breakfast.
The breakfast-rOom reached, she said:
Miss Conoyer-Brice rutherford. my
nephew"
The name startled the young lady. so
much that her Self-pOSSeSS1On almost talled
her. she bowed in recognition OF the intro
duction. and then turned her attention TO
the two children who were TO be nnder her
charge.
During the morning meal she cast several
furtiye giances at BTice Rutherford, not
quite sure whether he was the man who
/. F.-.. In 81 ION r n 4 -
was reticeut theu-he seemed 10 be TetleFnt
now. He was young, handsome, refined,
with. perhaps, rather an exalted opinion oil
himself.
II was not remarkable that during the
summer he began TO lake considerable IN
terest in the pretty little goveTuess. He
was thrown almost daily in her society, and
her fraukness was especially charming TO
him, because he was not much disposed To
be frank himself
His interest al last assumed q more fer
vent share, aud finally led him to make
declaration of love. A lock Of triumph
crossed her face, but 1t escaped his notice,
for she was seated in the shadow.
This isn't unexpected" she replied,
but"
Brice Rutherford frowned at the remark,
and waited for her to conclude 1t.
You see, you don't know anything about
me-" size SAID starting L afresh.
"Oh, hut | hatter myself l Dc" was his
reply. l never act without proper consider
alton
Miss Couover said. "As to my-my-puT-
POSTS"
a. don't care about your antecedents,"
he interrupted. And as for your purposes,
hope one of them will be TO make ME rs
happy a you can"
"Oh, to be sure" replied she.
We'll, ! am glad that we understand each
other and"
"Bu. / don't know that we do" inter-
rupted size, in turn d" l know that you pro-
posed to me, but l Cannot recall that l
accepted you"
on" he calculated, with crest-fallen
Miss COnover laughed softly. and said:
al am willing to hold your offer under
sdyisement."
THAT Will not satisfy me" he replied;
bat il must" replied she. II think l
am according you great DEAL
We'll, maybe YOU are he said, with
grin.ace. Il can't say that I'm excessively
CRATE IL"
IN give you my answer in September"
Miss Couover replied. That isn't lar off,
you know"
well no, ii isn't" assented he, and that
closed the conversation.
In the early part Of September business
took him TO the city, and he was absent
week When he returned TO his aunt's
country seat he found that the pretty little
goyerness was no longer there. He was
almost dumfouuded.
wv here is she?" he asked.
81 don't know" replied Mrs. Cameron.
Among her friends. no doubt"
''She is coming back?'
'NO, much to my regret and the disap-
pointment Of the children"
Brce Rutherford stared a. the carpet.
Did she leave a message for me?" he
asked
"a letter, at least" replied Mrs. Cam
eron. Il notice that there is one on her
bureau directed to YOU"
He hurried up stairs IN manner not In
keeping with his habitnal dignity. When
ne opened the envelope he was surprised to
find one Of his own letters in il, although he
had never written to her. a look Of con-
sternation spread over his face as he read it.
In his bOyhood he had had a little sweet
heart named Rose Ralston. It was stipu-
lated between the parents Of both that the
two should be married when they were old
enough.
He was sent to school on the Continent,
where lie stayed until he had attained his
majority. He then wrote home declining to
renew the attachment Of his boyhood, or to
carry out the stipulatiOns. Indeed, so en-
phau was he, that one or two sentences
were unkind, because uncalled for.
He stared at the letter in dazed way.
How did Miss ConOver get hold of il p"
he asked himself. And what was her OBJ
ject in redrecting it TO me? She promised
TO give me her decision"
He broke the line OF his thought with a
sharp exclamation.
"Pve solved the mystery" lie muttered
Kate Conoyer Is Rose Ralston. She is a
little firt, and fancies that she's got even
with me"
He closed his conjectures with an express
sion which was near profanity.
Aunt Rachel" he said. when he had re-
Joined his aunt. do you know that Miss
Conover is Rose Ralston?"
Impossible" exclaimed Miss Cameron.
but, aunt, she is"
Ibid she say SOP"
"No. Do you think her coming here was
-was-plannrd? ?"
dent. She didn't knew you were here, OF
that | am your aunt"
you are sure of that?"
"Of course l AN. What does she say iu
tie letter."
at isn't from her."
"Ehi Who Them"
why did she masquerade here under an
other nameY evaded Bricp. "Why should
she masquerade auywhere"
"My dear boy, l can't answer that" Mrs.
Cameron said. Il am not convinced that
she did"
well, 1t doesn't matter much. ANYHOW. -
Rutherford rejoined, which was a bold false
hood, for he knew that it mattered a good
deal to him.
A year later found Kate Conoyer standing
In grove in the Yellowstone Park. She
was looking down a long vista of charming
scenery, her face bronzed, her form plump
and the blue In her eyes deeper and sweeter
than ever
She heard footsteps behind her, and on
turning around beheld a hand some, sun
Drowned tourist. A second and her face
grew very red, for the man was Brice Ruth
erford. She had punished him, to be sure
but she had also punished herself.
He relieved her of her embarrassment bv
Offering his hand with easy gracefulness.
I'll now take your answer" he said.
what answer" she asked, with renewed
blushes
This is September" he reminded.
"Ohl" circulated she. $50 it is Int 7
named last September. l left you INV an.
swer." III
"But there wasn't anything in it for me.
or else l was too stupid to see ii. 1t NAV
have implied"
Eyes. It implied" she interrupted. with a
charming little laugh.
'0h, bother that idiotic letterp' Brice
cried.