Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1892-01-20
THE GOVERNESS.

from the station lamp. shimmering upon
the wet platform. dimly outlined the
figure Of young girl clad in a water
proof A carriage drove up. with the
curtains closely drawn. and loud but
not unpleasant voice called out:
This way. please"
A drive over a rough road brought
them TO commodious residence, sur
rounded by grounds ample enough for q
park. AS IL was late she was shown at
once 10 room.
She arose early the next morning.
awakened by the brightness Of the at
mosphere and the sweet singing Of tho
! birds.
She had given her name as Kate Con-
over. and had come to accept the posi-
tion Of governess in tho family.
Presently the lady OF the house
knocked and entered the room. Evil
IDENTIFY she was much pleased with the
new arrival. for her eyes rested upon q
sweet, frank face, a graceful. compact
form and nh attire as neat as IL was
sensible.
IL hardly expected to find you SO
young" Mrs. Cameron said.
MOP" asked Miss Conovor. still
you will find mo proficient"
"Oh. to be sure" Mrs. Cameron hur-
riedly said. please walk down to
breakfast"
The breakfast room reached, she said:
Miss Conover-Brice Rutherford. my
nephew"
The name startled tho young lady 40
much that her self possession almost
failed her, She bowed in recognition Of
the introduction. and then turned her
attention to the two children who were
to be under her charge.
During the morning meal she cast sew
eral furtive glances ut Brice Ruther-
ford, not quite sure whether he was the
man who had driven her from tho sta
ton or not. He was reticent then-he
seemed to be reticent now. He was
young. handsome. refined. with per-
haps rather an exalted opinion Of him
self
II was Lot remarkable that during the
summer he began to take considerable
interest In the pretty little governess.
He was thrown almost daily in her So
ciety. and her frankness was especially
charming to him, because he was not
much disposed to be frank himself.
His interest at last assumed more
fervent shape. and finally led him to
make declaration Of love. A look Of
triumph crossed her face bat il escaped
his notice. for she was seated in the
shadow.
This isn't unexpected" she replied.
but
Brice Rutherford frowned at tho re-
mark and waited for her to conclude 10.
"You see, you don't know anything
about me" she said. starting in afresh.
"Oh, but ! hatter myself do" was
his reply. "a never act without proper
consideration"
~ mean IN to niy-my-antecenden
Miss Conover said. "As to my--my-
purposes
81 don't care abour Your antecedents,"
he interrupted. And rs for your pur-
poses. hope one Of them will be TO make
mo as happy rs you cant
"Oh. to be sure, replied she.
We'll, am glad that VIC understand
each other. and
But don't know that wo do" inter.
rupted she, in turn. Il know that you
proposed TO me, but canno. recall that
accepted you.'
"Oh" he calculated. with crest
fallen look.
Miss Conoycr laughed softly aai said,
81 am willing to hold your offer under
advisement.
That will not satisfy me-" be re-
piled.
but it must. rcjoined he. II think
am according you great deal"
"Well, maybe YOU are. !.r .,,id, with
a grimace. II can't say that I'm ex-
cessively grateful"
"l'll give yon my answer in Scpteln-
Der" Miss Conovcr replied That isn't
far off. you know"
"Well, no, IL isn't" asscnted he, and
that closed tho conversation.
In the early part of September bust
ness took him into the city. and he was
absent a week. When he returned to
his aunt's country seat be found that
the pretty little governess was no longer
there. DO was almost dumfOunded.
Where is shel' he asked
II don't know" replied Mrs. Cameron.
Among her friends, no doubt
"She is coming back:'
"No. much to my regret aud the dis
appointment Of the children"
Brice Rutherford stared ut the carpet
ibid she leave a message for me?" he
asked.
"a letter, at least" replied Mrs. Cam
sron. IL notice that there is one on her
bureau directed to you"
He hurried up stairs in manner not
in keeping with his habitual dignity.
When he opened the envelope he was
surprised to lind one Of his own letters
in it. although he had never written to
her. A look OF CONSERVATION spread
over his face as lie read it.
In his boyhood he had had little
sweetheart, named Rose Ralston. II was