Los Angeles herald., 1892-02-06
THE GOVERNESS.


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 a loud but
not unpleasant voice called out:
"This way, please"
A drive over rough road brought
them to commodious residence, sur
rounded by grounds ample enough for a
park. AS it was late she was shown at
once to a room.
She arose early the next morning.
awakened by the brightness of the at
mosphere and the sweet singing of the
birds.
She had given her name as Kate Con-
over, and had come to accept the posi-
ton of governess in the family.
Presently the lady of the house
knocked and entered the room. Evi-
IDENTIFY she was much pleased with the
new arrival, for her eyes rested upon
sweet, frank face, graceful, compact
form and an attire as neat as it was
sensible.
81 hardly expected to find you so
young" Mrs. Cameron said
"Nor asked Miss Conover, "still-
you will find me 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 the young lady so
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 at Brice Ruther-
ford, not quite sure whether he was the
man who had driven her from the 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.
1t was not 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 but it escaped
his notice, for she was seated in the
shadow.
''This isn't unexpected" she replied,
"but"-
Brice Rutherford frowned at the re-
mark and waited for her to conclude it.
"You see, you don't know anything
about me-" she said, starting in afresh.
"Oh, but l fatter myself l do" was
his reply. ri never act without proper
consideration"
"1mean as to OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES"
Miss Conover said. "As to my-my-
purposes
he interrupted. "And as for your pur-
poses, 1 hope one of them WILDE to make
me as happy as you canl"
"Oh, to be sure" replied she.
"Well, am glad that we understand
each other, and"-
"But don't know that we do," inter
rupted she, in turn. 81 know that you
proposed to me, but cannot recall that
accepted you"
"Ohr he calculated, with crest
fallen look.
Miss Conover laughed softly and said,
f1 am willing to hold your offer under
advisement."
"That will not satisfy me-" he re-
piled.
"But it must" rejoined she. 81 think
I am according you great deal"
"Well, maybe you are," he said, with
a grimace. 81 can't say that Pm ex-
cessively grateful"
"Pn give you my answer in Septem-
ber," Miss Conover replied. "That isn't
far off, you know"
"Well, no, it isn't" assented he, and
that closed the conversation.
In the early part of September bust
ness took him into the city, and he was
absent week. When he returned to
his aunt's country seat he found that
the pretty little governess was no longer
there. He was almost dumfounded.
where 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 dis
appointment of the children"
Brice Rutherford stared at the carpet.
Ibid she leave message for me-" he
asked.
"a letter, at least" replied Mrs. Cam
eron. ''I 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 find one of his own letters
in it, although he had never written to
her. A look Of CONSERVATION spread
over his face as he read it.
In his boyhood he had had little
sweetheart, named Rose Ralston. 1t was
stipulated 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 he staid until he had attained
his majority. He then wrote home de-
clining to renew the attachment of his
boyhood, or to carry out the stipulations.
Indeed, so emphatic was he, that one or
two sentences were unkind, because un-