The great West. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1889-18??, 1893-04-28
WANTED, A GOvERNESS

WANTED, A GOVERNESS.
GOvERNESS-(En glish). required at once
ny Russian family resident at Odessa:
French, drawing, music: three girls, eldest IA;
salary $500: references exchanged Apply per
sOnally between and to-day TO KANSE-
ROFF, Langham Hotel
He was an elderly Russian, slightly
gray, the ..Kanseroff'' of the news
paper advertisement, He spoke En-
glish, Like the majority of his we'll
educated compatriots, with scarcely
perceptible accent.
When Cecil Pentreath, with out
ward 'composure and inward tribula-
ton, was shown into his private
sitting room at the Langham hotel
that afternoon, he laid down the
Times and regarded her pretty face
with evident appreciation.
At the end of five minutes he said
he believed she would suit his friends,
and that he would pay her passage
out to Odessa, providing he did
not doubt that it would be the case
each found the others references
satisfactory.
Il will give you till this time to
morrow to consider the matter and
make such inquiries as you think
lproper," he said, in conclusion.
Anyhow, I suppose need not start
for week or two?" she asked II
should like little while in which to
take leave of my friends"
Naturally you would, he answered
kindly. There is no immediate
hurry. A fortnight hence would suit
the Petrowitchs very we'll, I've no
doubt"
The next afternoon, having per-
fectly satisfied herself in the interim
anent the responsibility of her future
employers, she went to keep her APP
pointment with Mr. Kanseroff.
He was not alone to-day. Another
man was in the room, Younger man,
who was seated at writing-table
strewn with papers, and who merrily
glanced up and bowed as she entered,
and then paid no more attention. to
her.
kanseroff rose courteously. shook
hands, and asked her to sit down
well, Miss Pentreath," he said,
land have you decided to go to
.Russia?''
Yes" she answered simply.
AS she spoke she was conscious
that the stranger-h1s interest sud-
denly awakened-had turned his
head, and was looking at her earn
estly; the keen scrutiny rendered her
somewhat uncomfortable. He said
something rapidly to his friend in
Russian. From the note of inquiry in
his voice, and the mention of her
own name and that of Petrowitch, in
the reply, she guessed correctly that
he had asked who she was
In the ensuing few minutes. while
she discussed business matters and
settled the date of her departure, she
was sensible Of the fact that every
word she uttered was being absorbed
and criticised by the man at the
other end of the room, and that all
the time he was watching her closely
that his eyes never left her face.
When atlength she rose to go he
called Kanseroff aside, and the latter
left the girl with a brief apology and
request that she would remain a
moment.
The two men talked eagerly, ex-
citedly; but it was the stranger who
was having most of the say. She
could not understand them, of course.
1t appeared to her, however, that he
was making some proposal of which
Kanseroff did not approve. At last
the elder gave in but half convinced,
and shrugged his shoulders, remark
ing in English:
'Well, have your own way But
you must make your own arrange
ments; shan't Interfere
The young man turned abruptly to
Cecil, who had been watching the
little scene with natural curiosity.
miss Pentreath, would you like to
earn $5,OO0?"
A rush of color flushed Cecil's
face.
"Ah--yes," she said with little
gasp in her voice. '.But why do you
ask mep How could 1 make so
muchp"
by leaving England in two days
instead of two weeks. and taking a
little packet of papers with you-a
little packet that is of such great i'm
portance to my family that do not
care to transmit it in the ordinary
way, through the post
The girls clear eyes met the mans
bewildered, questioning. Then a
sudden light dawned upon her; his
motive became clear.
Oh she cried. and her breath
came and went rapidly, lin plain
words, sir. you want me to smuggle
papers into Russia which would get
me into trouble were they discovered
by the police?"
Yes.
Then 1 must decline; it would be
wrong"
ION the contrary" he said quick
~. ut would be right. You might
even be the means of saving my life. =
His tone and manner were earnest
Whether he was speaking the truth
or whether this earnestness was
merely assumed to convince her, 1t
was difficult to say, but the girl was
satisfied.
MAY ask why you have chosen
me for this workp'