The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1893-05-25

II
account led her is continue her attentions to
the young governess She felt irresisthy at
tracted toward hqsryen. though she daily be-
| came more and more aware OF the strong dis
like the girl held,f9g hsT. She perceived that
she held it in oehpgk, but occasionally she
! caught glance which; confirmed her in her
/ belief that so stUopgean aversion must have
| other foundation tlan tlstt of relations between
the employer ard, ithe e,pployed.
lit is her proud Southern spirit" she de-
cded, with iptyiug tenderness. Poor
child it is hard indeed to feel the yoke of de-
| pendence. Poor ehild!"
| In the late Spring Alice was called away
! suddenly one day, aud going into the school
room she took leaYeiof her niece. Then. obey
| ing sudden impulse she turned to Marian
and said, kindly: 'Elf you desire holiday,
Miss Winter, the hpnsekeeper can take charge
of Dora for a few days.
Marian lifted her eyes suddenly, and Alice
| perceived CLEAN in them which startled her
by its exultation. She spoke, after moment
No sine said. coldly, " desire no holiday,
| thank you"
On her way to the carriage soon after, Alice
looked into the drawing room, where maid
was dus:ing. She pointed to a small half-sizc
portrait of herself which hung III an alcove.
- Please straghten that. Kitty" she said.
noticed last eveuirI that it was awry."
Then, after givlsg :. / - moro directions. she
lett the house. She returned somewhat mex
pcctedly the next morning. 1t was gray day,
with lowering sky and strong, chilling wind.
Before going up stairs, she went in to warm iier
hands by the drawing room fire. The room was
in spotless order, but as she stood by the hearth
she noticed suddenly that her picture was not
iii its accustomed place. She looked around the
room quickly. Edward may have changed
il" she thought. 1t was not in the room, how
tv 10 ha nhah z
decided.
Later in the day she questioned both the
maid and the housekeeper. Kitty protested
that she merely busted and Strengthened it,
while Mrs. Gray suggested that the master
might be intending to get a new frame for the
portrait.
"Ah, had not thought of that" said Alice.
" 1t is probably the explanation, Mrs. Gray"
She said nothing about it to her brother when
they met at dinner, and as he had club en-
gagement, he left the house without entering
the drawing-room.
{" he wishes to surprise me-" thought Alice,
with smile. as she went up to her chamber for
book she had left there. Turning over the
volumes upon her dressing table, she made
discovery which greatly startled her. Some
one has been here also," she exclaimed. Some
one has taken my prayer book!" She began
hurried search for it, but after half-hours
agitated labor, she sank trembling into chair.
done this cruel thing?"
She felt almost stunned by the loss; it had
been her daily comfort for many weary
years. She reproaehed herself that she had, by
hasty mistake, left it behind her. IF had
only left my own," she wept, my own, that
could so easily have replaced"
A ray of comfort came to her toward morn
ing. Dora had noticed her care of it; Dora
knew it was the gift of an old friend, and with
a childish loyalty she might have carried it to
her own room for safe keeping. The thought
seemed feasible, and, reassured by it, she fell
asleep.
1t was very late when she awake. Dressing
hastily, she went out upon the landing, eager
to see her young niece. But as she left her
room she heard the voice of the governess, and
for the first time since her connection with
them shadow of annoyance crossed her face.
Why is she so early?" she thought. impa-
tiently. Now l must wait until she goes
home tonight. for if I take Dora aside and
question her. she will think me prying and in
qusitive; she is so sensitive, poor girl"
Alice pushed away her breakfast almost un-
tasted. She felt an agitation she had not known
for years, and, saying to herself that she would
search Dora's sleeping room, she gave few
orders to the housekeeper and went up stairs
On the second floor were her brothers room,
her niece's and her own; while above were
the guest chambefs and the schoolroom. She
felt the unreasoning annoyance. She saw the
maid within her brothers room, and, stepping
to the door, said
Have you finished Miss Dora's room,
Kitty"
The young housemaid turned around, glow
of excitement upon her face.
"Oh, yes, ma am" she said; 81 it's all in Or
der" She hesitated a moment and then she
went on seen your picture was hanging up
again, Miss Vandegrt, so it must have been the
master as took it down."
Alice started, recovering herself almost in
stantly.
Il have not been in the drawing room this
morning" she said. But in her heart she
thought, " 1t was he of course and dear little
Dora has my prayer-book."
Satisfied that the mystery was explained, she
went into her own room. Walking across the
floor TO her dressing table she saw her long
cherished book in its accustomed place. She
took it up, and reverently carried it to her
lips. E" Dear child" she said, "she knew |
would miss it," During the morning she
went into the drawing room and inspected the
picture She shook her head as she looked at
it, 81 think | must ask Edward" she said.
At luncheon she met her young governess.
She greeted her with pleasant smile. and
talked to her of various matters but the girls
responses were, she thought, even colder than
they had always been. 1t was somewhat en-
barrassing meal, and Alice sighed as they rose
from the table. She could not fathom the
girls evident dislike. She turned to her when
they left the room. "To-morrow is Memorial
Day" she said, land / always take my niece
out to Forest Hills or to Mt. Auburn. There
will be seat in the carriage for You if you
will go with u.s."
A wave of color swept over Marian's face.
"Thank you" she said Il cannot CO."
Alice made one more effort. "The cere-
monies are very touching, Miss Winter. /
think, too, you will find it a very beautiful
ride, if you have never visited our Mt. Auburn.
Will you not reconsider your decision?"
Marian looked at her for moment without
speaking. The same strange look which had
so often baffled Alice was in her eyes, the same
tone of constraint rang in her voice, as with icy
codness she again answered in the negative.
Alice made many excuses for her. even while
she felt wounded by her scarcely vailed dis
like She is young stranger, and, perhaps.
not happy in her home life" she mused, land
no one can be wholly without heart who is SO
fond of child as she is of our Dora"