Warren sheaf. [volume] (Warren, Marshall County, Minn.) 1880-current, 1894-05-31

week, and five days had passed most
pleasantly. But, alas! the sixth day
was cold and rainy, and our poor host
ess was in despair to know what to do
with her houseful of guests.
The morning had dragged by it's
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
dependency had settled over these
heretofore gay people.
At five o'clock tea was brought in,
and we all gathered around the big fire
in the hall.
The guest of honor in our party was
Lady Berkeley. lately come to Amer
lea for visit, and very pretty and
charming woman.
had once before met her-two years
ago in Romc-but knew nothing about
her. though some one had told me she
had quite a history.
For the few days we had been to-
gether in this country house she had
been the life of the party and had won
the admiration of all.
Her beauty and her attractions were
unusual, but this wretched weather
had cast gloom over even her high
spirits.
AS we were all taking tea together
Mr.. Jonson, one of the party, laid
down book he had been reading and
remarked:
"a good story, but SO improbable"
81 don't know" said Lady Berkeley;
"'that might have happened; stranger
things have"
II doubt it," replied Mr.. Jonson. II
don't believe in fact ever being stranger
than fiction"
Lady Berkeley smiled and said: "Per
haps very strange fact has never been
brought to your notice"
mo-" admitted Jonson. 'Ive lived
nearly forty years, and have still to see
anything improbable happen in real
life.''
.'Well,'' she replied, Il can tell you
strange story, the truth of which can
vouch for"
II should like to hear it," said JON
son, and the other members of the par
ty, having overheard the conversation,
drew their chairs nearer to the fire and
gave her their attention.
'.It is curious" commenced Lady
Berkeley, that / should tell you the
story of an American family, living in
small New England town, and for
fear some of you might know the peo-
pie concerned, shall change their
names.
about twenty-five years ago, there
lived in Milford, Conn.,, clergyman
and his wife and child.
''These two parents worshiped their
little girl, for it was late in life that
she had been sent to them.
"As the child grew older, they seemed
to grow younger, and life seemed to
them well worth living.
THE old clergyman was never SO
happy as when, with his little Imogene
on his, knee, he told her stories, or
taught her her first lessons
cit 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 the comfort
of the family during their daughters
childhood, it was not adequate for
their expenses as she grew into woman
hood.
'vrhis matter Of income troubled
these good people for some time, until
the father conceived the idea Of tutor
ing college men who had been unfor-
tunate in not passing their class exam
nations.
Ae, therefore, went up TO New
Haven, which is but q few miles from
Milford, and made arrangements to
take into his family one or two Of tho |
>students during the summer monthA