The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1903-06-11
CHAPTER |.

plcxion. There had been VlVacity anu
brightness too, in those brown eyes, put
the luster was gone now, and there was
left ONLY the calm expression of reslgna-
ton which follows life of troubles nobly
horne. She had lived siXty-four years
in the world.
Her father and mother, the Marquis
md Marquise de MontOicu, had been III
high favor at the court of Louis the DIX
teenth. They were proud, handsome
aristocrats. and when the Revolution
came with its fearful horrors, they were
forced to fly for their lives. When they
reached England they were penniiess and
compelled 20 earn their bread.
The marquis gave lessons in singing,
and the marQu'se made a little money by
selling her paintings. \ kind-hearted no.
bleman, who had known them III former
DAYS, allowed them fifty pounds year;
and with this. and the fruit Of their own
exertions. they managed to exist. Three
wears later daughter was born to them,
whom they named Marie Antoniette, in
nlTcctionatc and rcvcrential memory of
their martyrcd queen. From her earliest
infancy she was deeply imbued with the
sad spirit of the time; and the unvarylng
melancholy Of her parents produced
strong effect upon her. She was nat
urally bright and vivacious, but the at
mosphpre of constant sadness was infec-
tOus.
When she was seventeen years old her
beloved father died, and from that time
all her energies were strained to provide
for her heart-brokcn and widowed moth
a, Il nI
also, and Marie was thrown on the world,
literally penniless and friendless. Then
all vt once the nobleman who had be-
frended her parents came forward and
offered her a home in his house, in spite
of the remonstranceS of his wife, who
was keenly alive to the imprudence of
bringing a beautiful young girl under the
same roof with her grown-up sons.
For time Marie Antonette was hap
py, and then came the most bitter trial
of her life. She went out again as a
governess, and travelled abroad. At the
age of thirtytive she went into Sir How
ard Champions family, to educate his
daughters, and remained with them
twelve years. The elder daughter made
a brilliant match, and the younger eloped
thus no further occasion for her services
she was dismissed; but Sir Howard, be-
ing a liberal although arrogant and des-
potic man, settled an annuity of a hun
dred pounds on her for life. On this, and
the interest Of what she had saved dur
ing her long years Of teaching she lived
and small as was her income. she gave
away much. Hers was a grand life of
love, of charity and of self-abnegation.
Unsecured by her troubles, unimbittered
by her loneliness. she was the true picture
of a gentle, sympathizng and patient
woman.
Sir Howard cursed his younger daugh-
ter solemnly on the Bible-from which he
erased her name, and commanded that it
might never he uttered in his presence
again The whole household were awe
stricken, and crept about silently and
fearfully. Madame de Montoleu was
heart-broken.
Winifred bitterly regretted her false
step. She loved the world and the fash
ion, and so the comparatively humble life
she now led was gall and wormwood to
her. Her husband was fond of her. but
he chafed under her constant fretful re-
grets; she quarreled with his family re-
fused to notice them, and made him Bit
ter, contemptuous little speeches, which
drove him in anger from her presence!
The only link left to her between the
present and the past was Madame de
MontOlieu. who came to live in a small
cottage near her, and was with her con-
stantly. But poor Winifred fretted night
and day at her loss of caste. and became
thin and i'll; and when her little girl was
born she died.
For some years little Winfred was
brought up and taken care of by her faith
er's sister; hut when she was eight years
old Miss Eyre married, and her father
was somewhat perplexed what to do with
her Madame de Montolieu offered to
educate her, and Mr.. Eyre gladly accept
ed the offer
She received a complete education from
Madame de Montoleu. who loved her as a
daughter, and had brought her up with
tender care and watchfulness. She spoke
French perfectly, was a good musician
and sang as sweetly as a nightingale.
Madame de Montolieu had devoted great
time and care TO perfecting her accom-
plishments, hoping that. when she grew
up, Sir Howard might relent and give her
an opportunity OF entering into society.
for which she was eminently fitted. But
the baronet and his whole family sternly
persisted in ignoring her. and it was a
very bitter grief and humiliation to poor
Winifred.
II seemed so cruelty unjust. Why
should Flora Champion her cousin, and
BATTERED. and received everywhere, while
she' who longed so ardently for the same
advantage, was compelled to live unnotic-
ed IN farm house? Her father had Civ
en- her pretty little pony and carriage,
IN which she took great pleasure. She
would have liked 10 ride "a we'll I'm. har