Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1901-07-19
VERA'S VENTURE
Gap and Apron Were No Defense Against
cupid's Arrows.
1T WILL do it, auntie. I have quite

me from my purpose,
"But, my dear, think of what peo'
pie will say"
"That matters little to me. Be-
sides, no one will know, as Falcon
hurst is far away from here, and l
don't know anybody about there!"
"But, Vera, would il not be more in
keeping with your former position if
you sought place rs a companion or
governess?
"Acompanion!" said Vera WINSTON,
in a tone of disgust. "Do you think
that l could tolerate such position?
To live in anybody's house and be
treated neither as one thing or the
other; not to be considered the equal
of the ladies of it, and yet not TO be
on level with the servants, subject
TO all sorts of insults both from the
mistress and maids! No, think that
my plan is better one"
"But, Vera" demonstrated her
aunt, why can you not become gov
erness?"
"I am not fitted for that, auntie. My
education, although tolerably good, is
not one that would help me that way.
What place would take me without a
certificate?"
Her aunt shook her head; she knew
that what Vera said was true. The
life of a companion was in most cases
not an enviable one, and her educa-
ton, although equal TO, if not better
than, that possessed by most girls,
could not now be turned to account.
And yet, how could she bear that her
little Vera, who had been as her own
child. should go TO Falconhurst as
common servant, an assistant house
maid
But Vera had very Independent
nature, and now that their circum-
stances were changed, she resolved
to help herself and not be burden
on her aunt: so when a few days be-
fore she had read an advertisement
In a paper for a housemaid, she had
answered II, and determined to put
aside her feelings and accept it until
something better should come her
way.
Two weeks later she arrived at Fall
conhurst and took up her duties. She
had no idea how pretty she looked in
her cap and apron, with her hair just
brushed back in pretty little waves
from her forehead. She had never
been conceited girl; and although
people often called her pretty, she
paid little attention TO her looks
And it did not enter her mind 10
think that somehow she looked very
different from most other house
maids; however, she worked with
will, but tried to keep as much TO her.
self as was possible.
One evening she had left cap and
apron behind and gone for a walk in
a part of the grounds little fire.
quented by the guests or owners OF
the place, when, as she turned the
corner of an avenue a horse, gallop-
ing furiously along. nearly ran over
her. She drew quickly aside, trem-
bling in every limb. The rider quick
" dsmounted, and came to her side.
81 hope you are not hurt" he said.
at had no idea that anyone was about
here, or would not have ridden so
furiously."
Vera looked up and saw the face OF
Leslie Falconer looking down at her
WIN n DuLLlcu lOOh III HIS NN'
"Oh, I am only little frightened"
she said.
Leslie Falconer had left home the
day after she had arrived, so he had
not seen her at all, and now imag-
ined her to be a guest of his mothers
whom she had told him she intended
asking to spend a few weeks with
her. and who was to arrive the day
after he left.
"You have come to Falconhurst re-
cently?" he asked.
Eyes"
"I am Leslie Falconer." And he
held out his hand 81 am pleased to
see you at Falconhurst at last"
Vera. out of a spirit of mischief,
took the proffered hand.
"He evidently mistakes me for
some one else" she thought.
So she chatted on to him, because it
was like a glimpse of the old life TO
her. TO be treated as n lady again
after the rough ways of the servants.
"My mother wrote to tell me OF. the
little dance she has prepared for this
evening"" he said, after a little break
in the conversation. Wont you keep
a waltz for me-"
Vera stopped in the middle Of the
path; they had been walking back to-
ward the house. He was leading his
horse. deep flush spread over her
face.
'I was wrong to have allowed you
20 chat TO me-" she said. az am only
the housemaid." And hastily turn
ing down side path. she left him
standing amazed in the middle of the
avenue.
"Great Scott! Is il possible?
Housemaid or not, though, she is a
lady. / am sure And what a nice face
she has-not only pretty, but fun Of
character. l wonder what has made
her do it?"
Leslie sauntered on to the house,
but all through the evening he could