The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1897-01-16
CLARA's CAPTAIN.

~ ~ race, and my information Oh
this point was gained from what 1 read
in books. 1 was vain and unsophisti-
Gated in those early days My most
modest conviction was that future of
ease and elegance awaited me if 1 could
but alter my environments. Cinderella ;
prince did not turn up until that fortunate
maiden put herself in the way. And if
l could only get to a more ariStocratic
groove 1 felt assured that l could con-
siderably better myself. l had subjugated
all our village SWANS. Good enough
fellows, too, some of them, in their own
way, but-their way wasn't NINE There
wasn't a soldierly bearing, a tawny mus
tache, or an overdrawing presence amonS
them. The opening 1 longer for came in
strange manner. There were visitors
at the Hall-people of high degree, down
for the shooting. On my way across the
grounds one day in search of my father,
who was head gardener for Sir William
Thorndyke, 1 met two ladies slowly prom
enading the avenue Oh, how beautifully
they were dressed They didn't see me
at first, so I had time to assure myself
that 1 would be perfectly irresistible if
1 were privileged to wear such adorn-
ment. But just as 1 drew near to them
heard one of them say to the other in
unmisrakable reference to myself:
What a pretty facet and calling me
to her. she inquired my name and other
wise catechised me in a kindly though
somewhat inquisitive manner Eventually
she informed me that she was Miss Ce-
celia Manvers, and apparently impressed
with my looks and my boosted deXterity
with the needle, asked me if l would like
to become her maid.
That was how l found my vocation; also
my way to Belgrave Square, London. l
pass over a number of months of my ex-
istence there. The most noteworthy Incl
dent that befel me for some time was
proposal from Joe Bates, that l should
keep company with him-a necessary pre-
liminary, of course, to marriage. Poor
joel He very soon fell victim to my
face, as the following brief conversation
will show:
Clara" he said, one night. as we were
crossing the courtyard together, lis it to
be or not to be-"
rs what to be?" asked. noting how
strangely pale his face seemed in the
moonlight, and knowing perfectly well
what he was driving at.
"You-you know, Clara" he went on,
trembling nervously II scarcely know
what to say; but your face haunts me. I
dream about it, and it is never absent
from me. II love you-you know-and
ooh, Mr.-Mr. Bates,"I said, laughing,
for goodness sake don't look so solemn
you make me frightened How can you
| think for a moment"
Il know 1 love you Clara, better than
anything else in the world, and that your
| face"
But I'm not responsible for my face" I
replied. And, really you-you-haven
known me long enough to love me-" l con-
tinued in what 1 knew was a coquettish
manner.
Haven't I known you long enough to
touch your hearth he asked fidgeting
nervously with something he carried in
! his hand "If-if-you would only say
that there may be a chance for me-that
you really like me well enough TOTO
justify me in thinking you would here
after grow to love me-I-I-should be sc
happy
But was not to be had in that manner
| I liked Joe very much; and, besides, he
was very useful. He had taken me about
a good deal as opportunity offered His
manners, too. were superior to those Of
my former village SWANS. Still l hated
the idea of putting handouts on myself
while. on the other hand. If / gave hin
his congo, as the ladies' say. 1 should miss
many little treats and fiattering atten
tons. So l made light of the matter
laughed, and pretended an ultra-coyness
as rushed away to seek refuge in the
house. But Joe made a clutch at me anc
would have detained me had not the up
per housekeeper put in an appearance.
could see from a look on her face tina
she divineS how matters stood and tha
she was ! edtly incensed in consequence
Joe's face assumed an expression of bittel
disappointment, but 1 managed to effec
a gentle pressure on his hand before leav
ing him, and instantly he was all smile:
again.
For several days I avoided him.
didn't want a repetition just then of his
passionate avowal In consequence, when
ever / could escape from my duties.
took walks alone. I usually chose the
park for my perambulations. There wai
as much of the fashionable world to b'
seen there, both of the male and female
order One day, just as / was leaving tn,
house for an hours airing. my attention
was arrested by a gentleman standing
some short distance away. He was tall
well proportioned, excellently dressed
and, 1 thought, peculiarly handsome. HI
was evidently a distinguished member o
the upper ten, and as 1 passed him
could not help casting an eye in his di
rection. Forward? Well 1 didn't intenC
it in any coquettlsh sense whatever an'
when l found that the gentlemans eye
were fixed on me, 1 was conscious of
blush and much personal confusion. Al
| l quickened my pace somewhat / fel
that his gaze was still upon me. and thu
conviction entered my mind that he wal
following me. My confusion increased
and as 1 crossed the road nervousness