The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-02-27
In The Public Eve.

4
enough. Wasn't 1 born poor, as half the
| heroines of the novels are born, then
when I was fourteen, didn't Mrs. Green
! take me and keep me till she died? on,
| such a beautiful life that l led there.
| She used to rise about non, and as son
| as she was dressed she sent for me 10
read to her. and We read the most en-
| trancing novels, until 1t was time to go
for the drive or make call. She told
me she was sure I had history. Oh,
| if I could only find out what it is. L
| don't get much to read here
SO much the better 1 answered, your
| head has enough trash in it already, I
| ina gine."
Miss Lawrence. say what you please,
/ I am convinced that I was not born TO
be a nursery maid. I feel a moving
! spirit within me which says: 'Jenie, you
| will be a great lady. But I don't care
| for that; if 1 can only be interesting.
| You see, in the nursery have no
! chance"
Then the mania Jenie had for novels;
! the young ladies couldn't lay one down
| for FIVE minutes but she had taken it
| and popped down, no matter where, to
! read. Once I found her curled up on
! handsome parlor chair, the baby's clean
| clothes dumped down on the floor, and
! Miss Jenie CRYING her eyes out over the
| varied the performance by sitting down
on the baby's little foot-tub turned upside
! down, to devour, she said, the Three
| Musketeers." With her head in a novel,
and her mind after it, she would put
Harold's trousers on Pauline, and Paul
| ines bonnet on HeroId, and then If 1
childed her, say: ''Oh, dear, I was wish
| ing Miss FAME would put down Ben Hur'
so l could see who won the chariot race.
a. 1,Nr t. ,i,,er tn
end"
One day, hearing a terrible crying in the
! nursery, while was in my room, has
tened down to see what was the matter.
There sat Miss eJnnie, with her hair pull
down, and her nightgown on over her
heavy clothes, squated in a corner by the
radiator, glazing like a maniac. Harold,
| half dressed, was cutting his coat to
pieces with a knife he had gotten for
Christmas and Pauline, all ready for a,
walk, was screaming with terror at Jen-
MES antics.
Are you crazy, grip" 1 asked angrily.
"Oh, Miss Lawrence, do 1 look crazy?
I thought I would try how it would seem
to do the scene in the Bride of Lam
mermor, where Luoie goes frantic Mrs.
Green often used to dress me like the
heroines, and let me do scenes, but here
my soul straves for its wonted food"
1t was no manner of use to complain.
Mrs. Green had left her 81 600 to be paid
when she was married or came of age.
and she made the care of eJnie until
that time Mrs. Woods charge by teh con-
ditions of her will. so Mrs. Wood turned
her over to me, and a nice time l had
OF 1t,
At last she fe II in love- She met a
man whom she persisted in calling her
fate in the street while she was walk
ing with the children. Margaret, the
COX, insisted upon it that it was the bak-
ers boy, but Jenie scorned the sugges-
ton. He was a gentleman born, now in
reduced circumstances, whose heart went
out to her when they met.
I wish you could see him, Miss Law
renee she would say. ''Such an express
sion! Such an altogether! 1 am just dy-
ing to get out. He promised to finish the
forty-first canto of his poem and repeat
it to me today. Oh, how he does quote!"
This was my last day of trial The
children came alone, crept into the nur-
sery, very much terrified, having been
found by a policeman in a dreary part of
the park, where they had wandered after
Jenie had left them. Fortunately l had
taught Harold to repeat his name and
address, so they were brought directly
home.
There was a dinner party in the even
ing followed by a small dance. and the
children were allowed to come down and
look on from an adjoining room, where
they could see and not be seen. AS Jen-
ME had not vet made her appearance, I
went with them. We were all enjoying
ourselves immensely, when bang went the
dor, and Jenie rushed in, her hair flying
about, her hat on one side, and her dress
generally looking as if somebody had
thrown it at her. She rushed at Mrs.
Wod and fell down on her knees, scream
ing:
Pardon, pity and forgive me- and
then she rumpled her hair all up and
glared each CUES tin turn.
I had not told Mrs. WOd about the chill
dren, 90 she said in an astonished tone:
what. does all this mean?"
Meant Lovei Hopeless Lowell I know
my fault; let love be my excuse"
What is the mater, girl? Are you de-
mented?"
Would you have passion, listen to the
voice Of prudence? We loved, Stern
fate would forbit our nuptials! We are
one''
In the name Of common sense, what
does all this mean," asked Mr.. Wod,
in a Mortified tone, coming forward.
AS he spoke a tall, handsome young
man stepped from the hall into the room.
1T means. sir that this lady is my wife
She has informed me that her fortune is
in your hands. and fearing your oppo-
sition, were were privately married today.
As your ward"
MY ward. sir! that girl is my nur-
seT- maid"
1t was now the young mans turn to
glare. which he did. But when Mr. Wo1
informed him that Jennie could receive
her s.. 200 by calling at his Office the next
morning, he cooled down, and taking Jen-
ME bZ the hand, said:
Come. my love. we viii GO
As they left the room Jenie caught a
glimpse Of me behind the porter, which
! had drawn back during the scene
Farewell cried Jennie, farewell. my
benefactress. friend, and counselor of nv
wayward youth" Than To the children:
Farewell, We cherabs. whose rosy SUM
bers have wat ched. whose waking joys
I have shared Farewell, scenes and
haunts of my youth. a long, long fare
well!'
And with another scream she tainted in
TO her husbands arms, who carried her
into the hall
7 am glad she's gone" said Harold.
"she always washed my nose up
Well 1T was more than 2 month after
/ when one day the nursery dor opened and
( JeHie came in. she was so pale and
seemed quiet and subdued that 7 hardly
/ knew her.
Miss Lawrence" che said. humbly. edo
! you think taat Mrs Wood would let me
come back IL I tried 70 do het p
why. Jennie. ciri.' I ssl1 kindly. for
her eyes were full q tears, What s
wrouge'
IT'S al wrong. Miss Lawrence, and al
NY 0wn folly 10 blame for & TIE day
wen from here. E5gaT-rny husba1.
-usar-for I'm not sure that's his reag