Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1903-04-21
CHAPTER Nv.-(Continued.l

AuH up " Uncle DICK ;, ana cell IN
servants h. was coming home'' Mrs
Lansing made no objection; and then lie.
proposed trat l should accompany them
Jessie holding my hand, and jumping in
stead of walking. l codid not help smil
ing IN spite of myself upon the lit.l'
creature bounding and frisking at m!
side. Uncle Dick seemed TO be her ora
Gle, and after looking around to make
sure that no one heard me, L asked .'whI
he was:''
Why, he's Uncle Dick said she; ''th'
oestest uncle in the world" while Hal
bert added, Hes got heap of money
TOO; and once, when ma thought | wa!
asleep, | heard her tell Lima that if h
didn't get married it would be divideC
between US. l told Uncle Dick wha
mother said, and tell you he looked
black, and somehow, after that he tool
TO ridin' and foolin' with Ada wonder
fully
As yet everything with me was com
paratively conjecture. l did not know
positively that the Uncle Dick the chill
dren was tho dark man" of Rosa Lee
but the answer to my next question
would decide it, and half tremblingly
was il put. WHO is this Ada? What
is her other name?"
Ada Montrose, and she lives with us
Uncle Dick is her guardian" said Hal
bert.
l was satisfied, and did not wish Il
hear any more. l should meet him again
and tinged as my temperament is witt
love of the marvellous, could not hell
believing that Providence had led IN,
fhnra chic hoH aS
Magnolia Grove, rs it was very appropri
Gtely called, and never before had
seen so lovely a spot. The grounds
which were very spacious, were surround
ed on all sides by n hedge of the beauti
full Cherokee rose, aud, unlike those OF
Cedar Grove, were laid out with perfect
taste and order Mr. Delafeld, as l af
terward learned, had spent much time al
the North, and in the arrangement OF
his house and grounds he had not only
initiated. but far surpassed the style OF
the country seats which are so often
found within a few miles of our eastern
cities The gate at the entrance was q
huge wooden structure, having for its
posts two immense oak trees, around
whose trunks the graceful ivy twined
and then hung in fanciful festoons from
several of the lower branches.
AT sight of us some servants reused up
and when Halbert, after announcing that
4 was Miss Lee, the new goyerncss,
further informed them that their master
was coming home in a few days. they in
stantly gathered round us, evincing 50
much JOY as to astonish me. who had
heretofore looked upon a Southern slave
holder as a tyrant greatly dreaded by his
Vassals.
1t was dark when we reached Cedar
Grove; and as there was company in the
parlor. went Immediately to my room.
1 had not been there long. however, when
servant was sent up, saying that Mrs.
Lansing wished me TO come down and
play" This was an ordeal which |
greatly dreaded. trembled violently as
l descended to the parlor. which was
nearly full of visitors
Miss Lee, ladies'" said Mrs. Lansing.
at the same time motioning toward the
music stool as the seat | was expected
TO occupy.
There was a film before my eyes as
took my post and nervonsly turned over
the leaves of a music book. l had heard
much of stage fright, and sure am | that
never ulQ DOOE UlOIlul lIOul
an attack of that nature than did dur
ing the few moments that ] sat there.
trying to recall something familiar. some
thing which l knew l could play. At
last when the patience of the company
seemed nearly exhausted, | dashed off at
random, playing parts of two or three
different tunes changing the key as
many times. using the loud pedal when
/ should have used the soft, and at last
ending with the most horrid discord to
winch my ears ever listened The audi
ence were, undoubtedly, thunderstruck,
for they spoke not for the space of a
minute; and. with feeling of despera-
tion. | was about to make a second effort.
hoping thereby to retrieve my character,
when Mrs. Lansing said. in cold, sar-
castle voice. THAT will do, Miss Lee; we
are perfectly satisfied" Then. turning
to q haughts looking young lady who
sat by the window, she continued, Come,
Miss Porter; you certainly can't refuse
TO favor US now"
With a very consequential air. for
which | could not blame her, Miss Porter
took my place. and, without any apparent
effort. killed my poor performance cut
right: for she executed admirably some
of the most difficult music When she
had finished the ladies rose TO go. Mrs.
Lansing following them TO the door and
whispering something about her being
bumbugged again"
When she returned to the room stole
a glance ut her face. which was very red.
and indicative of anything bur good will
toward me. | felt the hot tears rising;
but when. with q bang, she closed the
piano. and turning toward me, demanded
'how long l had taken music lessons" l
forced them back, and answered prompt
Is. five quarters"
only five uuartersw she repeated in
evident amazement. why, Lima has
taken three years. aud she wouldn't con
slider herself competent to teach. even
were she poor and obliged to do So"
II. at least. never intended to deceive
you" said Il told you in my letter
that l was not an accomplished musi-
clan, and still you consented to employ
me-"
l was ostensibly upon trial; AMI who
ever has been in similar situation will
readily understand that l could nor, of
course, do myself justice. With AIRS.
IansinS's prying eyes continually upon
me, | really acted as though | were half
witted: and by the close of the second
day | myself began to doubt the sound
ness Of my mind. wondering why the
folks ut home had never discovered my
stupidity. Continual excitement kept my
cheeks in a constant glow. while the re-
mainder Of my face was quite pale, and
several times. in their mothers presence.
the children told me "how handsome
wasrs This annoyed her-snd on the
morning. Of the third day she informed
me that she would defrsy ms expenses
back 10 Massachusetts. wherc | could
tell them l was too yocng 10 suit her:
adding. that l might as well so the next
morning. This was a death blow 10 my
hopes; and SO violsnt was the shock that
I could not even weep Hal and Jessie
Were furious. declaring I should nor go:
and when / convinced them that must.
they insisted upon my teaching that day.
at all events
To this l consented; and as Mrs. Ian
sing had now no object in watching me.
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