Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1896-01-09

schoolmissress was TO prevent them
from missing the ,dxuries 10 which
they had all their lives been accust0m-
ed. Miss Joyce wished to make her
girls comfortable and happy. not be-
cause she cared very particularly
whether they were 50 or not. but be-
cause she wanted them 20 speak well
OF her in their own homes. Her charges
were tremendously high; but then she
had a spacious and beautiful house, a
lovely garden, men-servants and maid
servants; the girls bedrooms were
bright and cosy. gay with elegant
screens and dainty silken quilts ana
ehintz-covered furniture: the lecture
rooms were perfect and the music
rooms "a dream" The conseryatories,
full OF the loyeliest flowers. were the
finest in the suburb, And withal. it
was popularity said that Miss Joyce was
amassing a. great fortune. She had at
any rate hit upon the right method Of
making her school popular with the
girls.
Madeline held her breath as she was
ushered into the artistically furnished
sitting-room which Miss Joyce called
her own. Miss Joyce was extremely
modern in her ideas OF decoration.
and the painting, the tiles, the brass
work, the embroidered curtains. were
all Of the newest designs. Madeline
was amazed. but her father. who had
brought her to the house. Strengthened
himself, held up his head with as much
hauteur as he could manage for the
occasion, and assumed the demeanor
OF an arlstoeratie. although temporarily
unfortunate gentleman, who desired to
leave his daughter in Miss Joyce's care.
Circumstances render 1t necessary
that should lead a somewhat nomadic
life" he said In fact, my health re-
quires it, And cannot drag my poor
child with me wherever / go"
"No, most undesirable said the
/ schoolmistress.
Therefore" said Mr. Despard, airily.
Il bethought myself OF Miss Joyce's
celebrated establishment, where. / be-
lieye, some old friends and connections
of my wife have sent their daughters.
Lady Frances Aylmer-Miss Esler--
they are your pupils, understand"
YES" said Miss. Joyce, casting a
more favorable eye upon him at the
mention OF these names. Yes. they
are here. Relatives Of yours, did you
say"
Il mot Of my own OF my dear wife
therefore of Madeline's. Madeline. my
dear child. you will make friends,
trust, with Miss Esler-your aunt's
/ great-niece, and therefore a cousin-a
second cousin of your own. Lady
Frances is not connection-but the
daughter OF an old friend"
II see.'' said the lady principal. soft
enlng visibly as she heard the EXPOSE
ton of Madeline's social standing.
Then your daughters grandfather is
Gen. Armstrong -yes, he wrote to me
on the subject. He was in London
last year, Constance EsIer went TO see
him. remember Well, Mr.. Despard
your daughter will be most carefully
looked after. You mentioned in writing
that she was to give her attention to
music and languages, dancing also,
suppose, and deportment-and ritang?'
yes, yes. anything" said Mr.. Des-
pard with a graceful wave Of the hand.
Anything, my dear lady, which will
fit her for the distinguished position In
life which she will probably one day
occupy"
Then he drew his chair nearer to
that of Miss Joyce and whispered q
few words in her ear. Madeline heard
the name OF Lady Esler, but nothing
more She was little Mortified at
her fathers recklessness and did not
very much want to hear his words
But she saw that Miss Joyce was evil
IDENTIFY pleased and even impressed by
what Mr.. Despard had said and there
was increasing graciousness in the
manner with which that lady told her
to sit in an easier chair, pressed cakes
and sweets upon her and called her
"a darling child
And now, my ever beloved Made
line. your father takes his last fare
we'll Heaven bless YOU said Mr.. Des-
pATu, raising MS eyes rather tnedIEictii-
II to the painted ceiling and enyeloping
his daughter IN a stage embrace. Miss
Joyce watched the parting with set
smile on her pale. heavy face. She had
seen so many partings but 1t struck
her afterward that there was some
thing little strange and forced about
this one. the fathers emotion seemed
unnatural and the little girl did not
shed tear
Madeline was too bewildered by the
change OF scene and by her fathers
grandiloquence TO cry She had wept
her eyes out the night before over Jen-
ny and the baby; she had no tears left
todav She followed Miss joyce in
silence when that lady herself conduct
ed her 20 her bedroom, showed her the
school-room and introduced her TO the
head teacher. It was understood that
Miss Joyce only took that trouble fol
the sake Of girls whom she especially
delighted to honor