Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1898-11-07

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telle when she was an heiresss, was
seized with sudden near-sightedness,
and failed to recognize her as she
passed her in the street. Mrs. Alden,
who had scarce week ago begged
darling Estelle to recommend her to q
governess for Sylphine and Miranda
Alden, her two hopeful young daugh-
ters, turned frigid when Miss Rexford
came to the house to request the situ-
alton for herself.
81 dare say you mean WE'LL" said
Mrs. Alden, toying with golden
stoppered scent bottle. "But fear
your education has been altogether
too super fetal.
And Mrs. Rayner, who was always
putting out dainty embroideries and
fine needlework for the numberless
little Rayners, shook her head dis
couragingly when Estelle limited at
her own proficiency with the needle.
"I don't want to hurt your feelings,
Estelle," said she; "but I make it q
point never to employ people who
have seen better days. They're sure
to want more pay, and do the work
less well. Yes, I know what you
would say" as Estelle endeavored to
interpose, "but I really can't alter my
rule for any special casesW
Il am afraid it ruins the temper to
be poor" thought Estelle, as she
walked down the street, with the
scalding drops brimming over her eye
lids, "but 1 could almost murder
those cold-blooded, smooth-voiced
women! Do they mean to let me
starve? This is the third day 1 have
roamed about the city, looking vainly
for some respectable mode of support
ing myself-how can I go back to
poor old Uncle Miles and tell him 1
am still unsuccessful?"
She was drawing the blue barege
veil over her flushed face, as a gentle
man who had passed her turned back,
as if uncertain whether he recognized
her SET.
miss Rexford?" '"f'3
And she knew the frank, pleasant
voice of Willis Davenant at once
Willis Dayenant, whom she had teased
and made fun of so many timel
Il am surprised that you took the
trouble to speak to me, Mr.. Dave
nant" she said, somewhat bitterly.
"Why should 1 not?" he asked, in
surprise.
Because I am no longer an
heiress"
'That's the very reason" said
Willis, frankly. II heard Mrs. Alden
"a venomous old cat she is, too, in
my private opinion-say something
about your wanting to teach!" N.
81 should be very glad to get a
situation" said Estelle, sadly. y,
"There are Fanny's six boys-my
sister--Mrs. Jephson, you know
they are desperate young rebels, but
think, if you were willing to under
take 'em, you might make something
out of 'em-and Jephson gave lis last
governess five hundred a yearl"
Give hundred year!" cried
Estelle, with rising spirits. "Why,
that is as much as Uncle Miles gets at
Reed & Romney's"
''More shame for Reed & Romney,
then" said Mr.. Dayenant. "Will
you try it at Fanny's, Miss Rex.
ford?"St
"Yes, and be thankful for it," said
Estelle, eagerly.
"stop, though" said Willis Dave
nant, little ewkwardly, "there's
there's one othor proposal had to
makel" ~
Another situation?"
"No, not exaotlyl Hang iN"
thought Mr.. Davenant in mental
"aside." ("Why can't say it as it
ought to be said?) Miss Rexford, 1
have always sincerely admired and re-
spected you-and-and-if you would
give up the teaching business and
marry me, I should be the happiest
mortal in the world There, now,
it's out-and I mean every word
of it"
The tears came into Estelles eyes,
and the roses softly crimsoned her
cheeks.
"You are very kind, Mr.. Dave
nant," said she, "but I couldn't ac-
cept your offer!" .y..,,
"Why not?" @-'F-
''I must support my own burden, "
she answered in a low tone. IT can
not drag you down, too, because I am
poor"
"But I have enough for both of
US" he pleaded. "I am not rich,
know, but"
"And never will be-" she added, "ii
you burden yourself with a penniless
wife. L have n great many faults,
Mr.. Davenant. but am not as selfish
as all that Goodbyl I will call at
Mrs. Jephson's early tomorrow
morning"
And she passed on before Mr..
Dayenant could find words to plead
his cause further,
81 will be at Mrs. Jepson's, too, u
he vowed. 'I will not be put off sol
How pretty she lookedl And how
her eyes sparkled. BY all the
fates that ever arrayed themselves
against Cupid, she shall be my wife
OF [ will know the reason why"
i II