Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1892-01-21

me, and. I believed. saved me from going
mad, sold all my furniture and books
everything possessed gave liberallSsito
Dorothy, and babe farewell to my loSAy
old home. was twenty-one when went
to LGndon to =. seek my fortune The first
lish in boarding.school in France. l did
not like it, and through the influence o.
one of the elder pupils l obtained
an engagement in England-not ms
governess this time, but as companion
old place called Westwood, in Kent / was
glad enough to return to England. Before
| going to Westwood, l went to Gracedieu,
with perhaps a tolorn hope that might
hear some news of Mako how he had
died.
l went the old round-from the rector to
the lawyer, and from him to Marks ac-
quaintances. No one had heard one word
He was dead-Mark, my darling dead,
and was alone. There was but one thing
before me-to live my life and pray that
might join him in heaven.
The phase Of feeling that came to me
was a strange one. There were times
when it seemed to me as if hardly lived
i'll this world. l could see very often that
people looked at me as though they did
not quite understand me. How could
they. when my heart and my senses were
always with Mark IN another world?
1t was whispered from one to another
that my lover was dead; and then to those
who cared most for me there came CLEAN
of pity for one who had no earthly
ties.
1t was in the month of July that went
to Westwood, Lady Yorke was very
candid with me. She told me
that the one complaint She SUI
she suffered from was ennui. She was lone
ly; she wanted amusement; she needed a
nI,n npIt, Il
me to spend the greater part of my time
with her | must read to her. answer her
letters, send out her invitations. She would
expect me to spend my evenings in the
draw!ng-room, to sing when needed, take a
hand at whist She wrote most unreserved
ly to me- The life would be tedious, she
owned; but then should have large sal
airy and comfortable home. 1t mattered
| little to me how | passed the remaining
years of my lie as well might it be with
Lady 4orke as with any one else. If the
| lady were ill, were really an invalid, could,
perhaps, help to cheer her.
On the second OF JULY shall never for
get the date-I found myself at the pretty
station of Woodheaton, the nearest town
to Westwood. luxurious carriage await
ed me- and enjoyed the drive. Every one
knows how the sea washes the fair kentish
coast. Even amid the odor Of the flo ers,
| the scent of the rich clover meadows, and
the fragrance of the rose covered hedges, |
distinguished the sca-breeze. The park
was beautiful undulating expansc, full of
fine old trees of every variety of form, and
carpeted with wild-tlowers. The house
was grand old mansion that had been
built in the reign of Queen Elizabeth. The
sunlight fell on the great gables and the
large windows. My courage almost failed
me when | saw what a magnificent home
mine was to be. l ielt some little curiosity
as to what Lady Yorke was like. l pic
tured her an invalid-.pale, delicate, quiet;
Before long l was in her presence, and
perceived lei ed my mistake saw at once that
ali she wanted ali her lie sne naTnever
known trouble or care. She was slender
woman. with dark blue ewes and dark hair
An expression OF languid discomfort
marred the beauty of her face. There was
line across her white brow that betokened
temper and something in the expression
OF her lips told the same story. The room
was beautifully furnished and decorated.
The lady herself was lying on a couch,
doing nothing, neither reading nor work
ing. She looked up with glance Of relief
as l entered.
Miss Chester" she exclaimed with
something of surprise, 81 am glad to see
YOU! l was just feeling as though l did not
know what to do with myself. Pray sit
down..
who was easily amused. took aseat as re-
queSted.
Il was greatly pleased with the refer
enceS, Miss Chester. Madame de Def1and
tells me that your are devote. Is it true?'
She, did not wait Tor an answer. 81 am
glad You have come" she continued;
time hangs heavily on my hands. May
Oh, Mark, how little that mourning ex-
pfesSeu my tTue sorrow lot YOU 1elC my