Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1894-07-20
MiscEllaMRnMs.
LADY BERKLEY'S STORY

most beautiful part of the Berkshire
hills, We had been brought together
for "a week, and five days had passed
most PLEASANTLY. But, alas the sixth
day was cold aud rainy, and our poor
hostess was in despair to know what to
do with her houseful of guests.
The morning had dragged by its
weary hours,
The men found occupation in the bill
liard-room or library. The women tried
with fancy work or music to while away
the time, but an air of restless despond-
ency had settled over these heretofore
gay people,
At FIVE o'clock tea was brought 10,
and We all gathered around the big fire
in the hall. .......s
The guest Of honor in our party was
a Lady Berkeley, lately come to America
for visit, and very pretty and charm
ing woman. gH.s..es4 Rt&
I had once before met her 1.-TWO years
ago in Rome-but knew nothing about
her, though some one had told me she
had quite a history. tA#tf38HHIYH
For the few days we had been to-
gother 10 this country house she had
been the life Of the party and had won
the admiration of all.
Her beauty and her attractions we're
unusual, but this wretched weather had
cast gloom over even her high spirits.
AS we were all taking tea together,
Mr.. johnson. one of the party, laid
down book he had been reading and
remarked:
"a good story, but 50 improbable !"
II don't know" said Lady Berkeley I;
''that might have happened; stranger
things have"
II doubt it," replied Mr.. johnson.
II don't believe III fact ever being
stranger than fiction"
Lady Berkeley smiled and said: per
haps q very strange fact has never been
brought to your notice"
mo" admitted johnson. ave lived
nearly forty years, aud have still to see
anything improbable happen in real
life
"Well," she replied, 81 can tell you a
strange story, the truth of which I can
vouch for"
Il should like to hear it," said John
son and the other members Of the party
having overheard the conversation, drew
their chairs nearer to the fire and gave
her their attention
at is curious" commenced Lady
Berkeley, {" that | should tell you the
story of IN American family, living in
small New England town. and for fear
some of you might know the people con
cerned, | shall change their names.
l"About twenty-five years ago, there
lived in Milford, Conn u clergyman
and his wife and child.
"These two parents worshipef their
little girl, for it was late in life that
she had been sent to them.
GAS the child grew older, they seemed
to grow younger, and life seemed to
them well worth living.
"The old clergyman was never Sc
happy as when, with bis little Imogenc
OH his knee, he told her stories, OF
| JuuRub uSi uti Ut lCSnDuS.
at was their greatest pleasure to de
prive themselves, that they might give
more to their child.
"Their income, however, was small
and, though sufficient for tho comfort o.
the family during their daughter child.
hood, it was not adequate for their cx
penses as she grew into womanhood
"This matter of income troubled these
good people for some time, until the
father conceived the idea of tutoring
college men who had been unfortunate
in not passing their class examinations
''He, therefore, went up to New
Haven, which is but few miles from
Milford, and made arrangements to taxi
into his family one or two Of the student
during the summer months.
This proved very feasible plan
and the pecuniary results were mos
satisfactory.
"Thus matters went on for year o
more.
at was during Tmogene's seventeent
year that her mother was invited /
spend the summer in Europe with a
invalid cousin, and, as her husband an
daughter urged her to go, she fnall
consented to leave them for three or for
months.
"She sailed early in June, and, tw
weeks later, there came to Milford
young man from Yale, to be tutored fo
q couple Of months.
"fie was the son of Mr.. Prentice,
well-known New York broker, aud
very charming fellow.