Custer County Republican. (Broken Bow, Neb.) 1882-1921, 1903-07-23
CHAPTER XV.-,CoptinuedJ
Sunny bsnk Farm

tpon the piazza, ll0IDcft ana J'HSi'' WI"
we're never still, asked permission To
run up to Uncle Dicks, and tell the
servants Ii. was coming home. Mrs
lansing made no objection; and then they
proposed trat | should accompany them,
Jessie holding my hand, and jumping n-
uead of walking. ] could not help smil-
hg in spite of myself upon the little
creature bounding and frisking ut my
hide. Uncle Dick seemed 10 be her ora
elc and after looking around To make
sure that no one heard me, asked who
be wasf'
"Why, he's Uncle Dick" said she; "thc
bestest uncle in the world" while Hal
bert added, He's got a heap of money,
too; and once when ma thought | was
asleep, heard her tell Lima that II he
didn't get married it would be divided
between us. ] told Uncle Dick what
mother said, ana | 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 it, and half tremblngly
was it put. "Who is this Adai What
Is her other nameY
ada Montrose, and she lives with us
Uncle Dick is her guardian" said Hal
bert.
| was satisfied, and did not wish TO
hear any more. should meet him again,
and tinged as my temperament is with
love Of the marvellous, 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 |
seen 50 lovely n spot. The grounds,
which were very spacious, were surround
ed Oh all sides by hedge Of the beauti-
ful 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
Ills house and grounds he had not only
Initiated but far surpassed the style of
the country seats which are So often
found within few miles of our eastern
cities. The gate Mt the entrance was a
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.
Z At sight of US some servants reused up
and when Halbert, after announcing that
I was Miss Lee, the new goyerncss
further Informed them that their master
was coming home in few days, they in
stantly gathered round us, evincing 81
much joy as to astonish me, who hat
heretofore looked upon Southern slave
holder as tyrant greatly dreaded by his
vassals.
Il 1t was dark when we reached Cedar
Grove; and as there was company in the
parlor, | went Immediately to my room
had not been there long however wher
a 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
i descended to the parlor, which was
nearly full of visitors.
Miss Lee, ladies'" said Mrs. Lansing
MT the same time motioning toward the
music stool as the seat | was expected
10 occupy.
''eThere was film before my eyes as
took my post and nervously turned over
the leaves of music book. | had heard
nutI VI hldSt lllbhA' anu SuiN hlli L ina
never did poor mortal suffer more from
nh attack of that nature than did | dur
ing, the few moments that | sat there
trying to recall something familiar, some
thing which | knew | could play. Al
last, when the patience of the company
seemed nearly exhausted, | dashed off at
random. playing parts of two or tire,
different tunes. changing the key as
,,y,,, 81 nd n1nl sl,.,w
i should have used the soft, and at las
ending with the most horrid discord t
which my ears ever listened. The audi
ence were. undoubtedly, thunderstrucll
for they spoke not for the space Of
minute; and, with feeling of despera
ton, was about to make a second effort
hoping thereby to retrieve my character
when Mrs Lansing said, in a cold, s6r
castle voice, THAT will 30, Miss Lee; w,
are perfectly satisfied" Then, turnin,
to haughty-looking young lady wh
sat 10y the window, she continued, Come
Miss Porter; you certainly can't refus
to favor us now
With very consequential air, 70
which could not blame her, Miss Porte
took my place, and, without any apparen
effort killed my poor performance nj
TlHnls lOI hlt tANNhNSh auhilA hblN SUN
of the most difficult music, When sh
had finished the ladies rose to go, Mr.,
Lansing following them to the door an
whispering something about "her bein
humbugged again"
When she returned to the room | sto
a glance at her face, which was very re,
and indicative of anything but good wi
toward me- l felt the hot tears risini
but when, with bang, she closed II
piano, and turning toward me, demandt
show long l had taken music lessons"
forced them back, and answered promp
~, "hve quarters
only five quarters." she repeated
evident amazement why, Lima III
taken three years and she wouldn't co
slider herself competent TO teach, ey,
were she poor and obliged to do so"
81, at least, never intended to deuei,
you" said |. II told you in my lett
that | was not an accomplished mus
clan, and still you consented to empl,
me-"
/ was ostensibly upon trial; and VIII
ever has been in a similar situation W
readily understand that l could not
course, do myself justice. With MI