The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1897-01-02
The Evil Genius.
a DOMESTIC STORY.
BY w1LK1G COLLINS.

care of the liousekeeper," Lin!ey answered.
"AnYthing infections, my dear Hcrberts"
Mrs. Presty inquired, appearing at the break
fast-room dOor.
Linley addressed his reply to his wife.
Nothing more serious, Catherine, than
want of strength. She was in such Il state
of fatigue after our long night journey that |
had to lift her out of the carriage
Mrs. Presty listened with an appearance
of the deepest interest. quite q novelty in
the Way of n governess," she said. May l
ask what her name is?"
Sydney Westerlield."
Mrs. Presty looked at her daughter and
smiled satirically.
Mrs. Linley demonstrated.
surely she said, you don't object to the
young lady's name?'
~ have no opinion to offer, Catherine. l
don't believe in the name.'
Oh, mamma, do you suspect that it's an
assumed namc?"
"NIy dear, | haven't doubt that it is. Nav
l ask another question:" the old lady contin-
ucd, turning to Linlcy. What references
did Miss Westeriield give YOU"
mo references at ALL
Mrs. Presty rose with the a%lacrity of n
young woman, and hurried to the door. Fol
low my example, she said to ner daughter,
on her way out. Lock up your jcwelbox.'
Linlcy drew a deep breath of relief when
he was left alone with his Wife. What
makes yollr mother SO particularly disagree
able this morning"!' he inquired.
She doesn't approve, dear, of my leaving
it to You to choose Il governess for Kitty
"Where is kitty?'
"Out on her pony for a ride over the hills.
Why did YOU send q telegram, Herbert, to
prepare me for the governess? Did you real
ly think | might be Jealous of Miss Wester-
iieldT.'
Linley burst out laughing. NO such idea
entered my head" he answered. ut isn't
in you, my dear, to be jealous"
Mrs. Linley was not quite satisfied with
this view of her character. Her husbands
well-intended compliment reminded her that
there are occasions when any woman may be
jealous, no matter how generous and how
gentle she may be. 1--WE won't go quite SO
far as that" she said to him, becausc-'
She stopped, unwilling to dwell too long on
Il delicate subject. He loosely finished the
sentence for her. "Becaus- we don't know
what may happen in the tuture?!' he suggest
ed: making another mistake by making q
joke.
Mrs. Linley returned to the subject of tile
govellesS.
Il don't at all say what my mother says
she resumed, but was ii not just a little in
discreet to engage Miss Westeriield without
any references"
Unless | am utterly mistaken" LiEley re-
Piled, "you would have been quite as indis-
Greet III my place. If you had seen the hor-
rible woman who prosecuted and insulted
her
His wife interrupted him. "tlow did all
this happen, Herbert? Who first introduced
you to Miss Westerlleld?'
L.inley mentioned the advertisement, and
described his interview with the school-mis.
tress. Having next acknowledged that he
had received a visit from Miss Westertield
herself, he repeated all that she had been
able TO tell him OF her fathers wasted life
and melancholy end. Really interested by
this time, Mrs. Linley was eager for more
information. Her husband liesitated. Il
would rather you heard the rest of it from
Miss Westertield,' he said, sin my ABSENCE
why in your absence?"
Because she can speak to YOU more free
ly when | an not present. Hear her tell her
own story, and then let me know whether
you thlnk L have made a mistake. l submit
to your decision beforehand, whichever way
it may i%ncline.'
Mrs. Linley rewarded him with a kiss. 1t
a married stranger had seen them at thai
moment he would have been reminded OF
forgotten days-.he days of his honeymoon
And now Linley resumed, suppose We
talk a little about ourselves. l haven't seer
my brother yet. Where is Randall"
staying ut the farm to look after your i'll
terests. We expect him to come back to
day. All, Herbert, what do we not all owe
to that dear, good brother of yours? There
Is really no end to his kindness. The last oil
our poor highland families, who have emf
grated to America, have had their expenses
privately paid by Randall. The wife has
written to me, and has let out the secret
There is an American newspaper among thu
letters that are waiting your brothers return
sent to him as a little mark OF attention by
these good, grateful people," Having allud
ed to the neighbors who had left Scotland.
Mrs. Linley was reminded of other neigh
bors who had remained. She was still relat
ing events of local interest, when the clock
interrupted her by striking the hour of tho
nursery dinner. What had become of Kitty
Mrs. Linley rose, and rang the bell to make
inquiries.
On the point of answering, the servant
looked round at the open door behind him
He drew aside and revealed Kitty in the cor
ridor, hand in hand with Sydney Westeriielt
who timidly hesitated at entering the room
"Here she is, mamma" cried the child. 60
think she is afraid of you; help me to pull
her ill.,"
Mrs. Linley advanced to receive the new
member OF her household, with the ~irreslsti
Bile grace and kindness which charmed ever,
stranger who approached her. "Oh, it's al
right" said Kitty. sgd likes me, and
like Sgd. What do you think? She lived il
London with a cruel woman who never gay,
her enough to eat. See what n good girl
am! Pm beginning to feed her already
Kitty pulled Il box of sweetmeats out of he
pocket, and handed it to the govclness will
a tap on the lid, suggestive of an old gentle
man offering a pinch of snuff to a friend.
"My dear child, you mustn't speak to Mis-
Westerfield in that way. Pray excuse her,
said Mrs. Linley, turning 20 Sydney with
smile; II am afraid she has been disturbin:
you in your room"
Sydney'S silent answer touched the moth
er's heart; she kissed her little friend. g
hope you will let her call me sgd" she sal,
gently; sit reminds ne of 4 happier time.
Her voice faltered; she could say no more
Kitty explained, with the air of Il grown pei
son encouraging a child. 81 know all abou
1t. mn She means the time when he
papa was alive. She lost her papa when sh
was q little girl like ne. L didn't disturI
her. ! only said "My names Kitty; may
get upon the bed9' And she was quite will
ing, aud we talked. And l helped her dress.
Mrs. Linley led Sydney to the sofa and stop
ped the flow Of her daughters narrative
The look, the voice, the manner of the gov
crness had already made their simple appea
t, her generous nature. When her husban,
took Kitty's hand TO lead her with him on
of the room, she whispered as he passed
You have done quite right; l haven't
doubt of it now!'
III.
The two ladies were alone.
Widely as the lot in life of one differed
from the lot in life of the other, they pre-
scented a contrast in personal appearance
which was more remarkable still. In tn,
prime of life, tall and fair-thc beauty of lie
delicate complexion and her brilliant blu
eyes, riyaled by the charm of a figure whicl
had arrived-at its mature perfection of de