Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1903-04-11
Sunny Bank Farm
CHAPTER Xv.-(Contiuued.)
FLOYD LIVINGSTON


CHAPTER xv.-(ContinuedJ
As soon as we were again assembled
upon the piazza, Halbert and Jessie, who
were never still, asked permission to
run up to Uncle Dicks, and tell the
servants h. was coming home" Mrs.
Lansing made no objection; and then they
proposed trat should accompany them,
Jessie holding my hand, and jumping in
stead Of walking. I could not help smil-
Ing In spite of myself upon the little
creature bounding and frisking at my
side. Uncle Dick seemed to be her ora
Gle, and after looking around to make
sure that no one heard me, l asked who
he was?
"why, he's Uncle Dick" said she; 'the
bestest uncle In the world" while Hal
bert added, Hes got heap Of money.
too; and once, when ma thought was
asleep, I heard her tell Lima that II he
didn't get married It would be divided
between us. told Uncle Dick Whit
mother said, and I tell you he looked
black, and somehow, after that he took
to ridin' and foolin' with Ada wonder
fully"
As yet everything with me was com.
paratively conjecture. did not know
positively that the Uncle Dick the chill
dren was the dark man" Of Rosa Lee;
but the answer to my next question
would decide 1t. and half tremblingly
was 1t put. "Who Is this Ada2 What
10 her other nameT'
ada MontrOse, and she lives with rs.
Uncle Dick Ii her guardian" said Hal
bert.
was satisfied. and did not wish to
hear any more. should meet him again,
ma Alspu Nns, IL SS,tt
Q love Of the marvellous, l could not help
believing that Providence had led me
there. BY this time we had reached
Magnolia Grove, as It was very appropri.
ately called, and never before had I
seen 30 lovely a spot. The grounds,
which were very spacious, were surround
ed on all sides by hedge Of the beauti.
full Cherokee rose. and, unlike those Of
Cedar Grove, were laid out with perfect
taste and order. Mr.. Delafeld, as af-
terward learned, had spent much time at
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 50 often
found within a few miles Of our eastern
cities. The gate at the entrance was
huge wooden structure, having for It's
posts two immense Oak trees, around
whose trunks the graceful Ivy twinei,
and then hung In fanciful festoons from
several Of the lower branches.
At sight of us home servants reused up,
and when Halbert. after announcing that
I was Miss Lee, the new governcss,
further Informed them that their master
was coming home In few days, they In
stantly gathered round us, evincing SO
much Joy as to astonish me, who had
heretofore looked upon a Southern slave
holder as tyrant greatly dreaded by his
vassals.
It was dark when VIC reached Cedar
Grove; and us there was company In the
parlor, went Immediately to my room.
I 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. 1 trenbled violently a.
descended to the parlor. which was
nearly full Of visitors.
''Miss Lee, ladies," said Mrs. Lansing,
at the same time motionlng toward the
music stool as the scat was expected
to occupy.
There was a film before my eyes as
took my post and ncrvonsly turned over
the leaves of n music book. had heard
RI
never did poor mortal suffer more from
an attack Of that nature than did dur.
Ing the few moments that I 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 OF Mt
random, playing parts Of two or three
different tunes, changing tho key as
many times, using the loud pedal when
I should have used tho soft, and at last
ending with the most hOrrid disc0rd to
which my ears ever listened. The audi.
ence were, undoubtedly, thunderstru,k,
for they spoke not for the space Of q
minute; and, with feeling Of despera-
ton, I was about to make 4 second effort.
hoping thereby to retrieve my character,
when Mrs. Lansing said. In q cold, sar.
castle voice, "That will do. Miss Lee; we
are perfectly satisfied" Then, turning
% q haughty.lOOking young lady who
cat by the window, she continued. "Comc.
Miss Porter; you certainly can't refuse
to favor Us now"
With q 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 dificult music. When she
had finished the ladies rose to 20. Mrs.
Lansing, following them to the door end
Whispering something about "her heiaa
humbugged again."
When she returned to the room stole
Q glance at her face, which was very red
and indicative of anything but good will
toward me. I felt the hot tears rising
but when. with a bang. she closed the
plano. and turning toward me. demanded
show long ! had taken music lessons" I
forced them back, and answered prompt.
~, Ave quarters"
"Only five quarters" she repeated In
evident Amusement. "Why, Lima has
taken three years, and she wouldn't con.
slider herself competent to teach, even
were she poor and obliged to do So"
~, at least, never intended to deceive
you," said !. II told you In my letter
that was not an accomplished must
clan. and still you consented to emplo,
me-"
! was ostensibly upon trial; and who
ever has been In similar situation will
readily understand that could not, Of
course, do myself justice. With Mrs
Lansing's prying eyes continually upor
me, really acted az though were half
witted; and by the close Of the secOnt
day myself began to doubt the sound
nf nts~l a. A. A