Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1903-06-09
CHAPTER I.


with my wife and only child, Eunice, at
BoscoTrbe Lodge, Sevenoaks, an estate
OF about twelve acres, the residence old
fashioned and roomy, and the pleasure
grounds around it eharmingly laid out.
-Four female servants, a gardener and
coachman did the work of the house and
grounds. In addition to these were Sam
uei Fleetwood and Nile. Resale Lenor-
mand
1t would not be correct to describe
Samuel Fleetwood as a servant. He
was altogether a superior man, and was
attached to me in a confidential capacity.
Circumstances of a peculiar nature had
made me acquainted with him some
years previous to his entering my house.
de was then married, and had gone
through great troubles and misfortunes
which had left him very poor. His wife
was in delicate health, and at more than
one critical juncture Mrs. Pardon and
l stepped in to his aid. A ministering
angel indeed did my wife ever prove her
self to be in such cases as this; her
presence in the sick chamber was balm,
her smile sunshine, her gentle voice
brealhed peace. No man could more
strongly appreciate the sympathetic aid
we rendered in a time of need than Sam
uel Fleetwood; it stirred him to inner
most depths, and he was profoundly
grateful for it. My wife and | stood by
Mrs. Fleetwood's deathbed, and almost
with her last breath she thanked US for
the kindness we had shown to her and
her husband, and said that the sacrifice
of his life would be but a slight return.
II speak for him as well as for my
self" she said He feels as I do. He
will be your faithful and devoted ser
want" she said, family, Ito the hour of
his DEATH"
Faithful and devoted indeed he was,
and / trusted him as l would have trust
ed a brother.
1t is necessary, also, for a proper I'M
Outstanding of my story, that l should
say something here Of Mile. Lenormand,
governess, companion and lady's maid to
my dear daughter Eunice. This unusual
mingling of duties was of Mile. Rosalie's
own arranging She entered our service
as governess to perfect Eunice in mod
erp languages, drawing and painting.
She was a fair lady, with languishing
blue eyes, with light hair and eyebrows
almost golden in color. My wife, al
though she confessed she had not inquir-
ed, said that she was about twenty-five
years of age. l am not a good judge of
a woman's age, and / took my wife's
word for it.
Isn't she sweet, papa?" asked Eu-
nice.
TOO soon to pronounce" l replied,
passing my hand fonciy over Eunice's
hair, which was dark like my wife's
Some few weeks afterward l asked
Eunice how she was getting on with
modern languages.
Papa" said Eunice, 81 don't think
Mile. Resale is very proficient in Ian
guages."
Indeed, my dear!" said, smiling.
"But she paints beautifully, papa"
said Eunice. Here are some Of her
sketches"
l examined them and was really sur
prised at their excellence, and more sur
prised at the subjects the artist had
chosen. Moreover, they bore unmistak-
able evidence of having been painted from
the life l mentioned this incidentally to
Eunice, and she Immediately ran away
and returned breathless.
'Oh, yes, papaw she cried-"from the
life. l asked her, and she said it was
the only way to produce good work"
The information deepened my surprise.
They were figure subjects; a duel, a
group of merry monks, moonlight meet
ing of lovers, gamblers in a low cafe, and
such like. The execution was mastery,
but they were strange themes from the
life" for a young lady.
Saying they were very clever, l handed
the sketches back to Eunice, and from
that day set myself to closer observ-
ance of Mile. Rosalie. | allowed month
to pass, and then l asked Eunice how
h. al Ri
in painting.
mot very well, papa" said Eunice
1--WE have hardly had one lesson-now |
think of it, not even one. Mile. RosaIie
has taken quite dislike to painting; but
she dresses her hair beautifully"
l noticed then my daughters hair,
which indeed was beautifully dressed \
charming, sweet-tempered girl, eighteen
years of age. Eunice from the first had
never wavered in her praises Of Mile.
Rosaie. But for this and the fondness
of my wife for the so-called governess.
/ doubt whether she would have remain
ed in my house for any length of time
Before she entered our service | was
given to understand that she was French:
and l became convinced. from evidence
which she herself supplied that she was
English Mademoiselle, therefore. being
converted into Mrs, Rosalie might quite
as likely be Jane or Betsy. and Lenor-
mand Smith or Jones. Introducing her
self under false pretenses in respect TO
her name and nationality, she must be
capable of other duplicities, and conse-
quently an unfit companion 10 my dear
daughter. After some dehheration / COM
municated my suspicious to my wife.
My DEAR" said my wife, gently.
women are the best judges of women"
"Of women's failings," said. correct
ing her out of my wisdom.
"Of women's virtues also." said my
wife. Consider Richard; have you seen
anything in Nile. Rosalie's conduct of
which you disapproveg"
/ did consider, and could fix upon moth
ing definite except the subject-matter
of the pictures. l spoke of this.
Mile. Rosahe." said my wife. 'has
explained all about them to me. She
has had hard life Richard, and has
been compelled TO turn her talent as an
artist TO profitable account. II meant
bread and butter &c her. The dealers
would purchase only certain subjects Of
her. drawn from low life. or, rather
dear, from a poorer life than ours. So.
Mile. Rosahe had no option. How CRATE
full we should De for the blessings We en-
Joy and for the evils we are spared!
Mile. Rosalie is above reproaeh: she has
come safely out of the FIRE OF tempta-
ton and cruel suffering. Eunice is deep
IL attached TO her. She is an orphan.
too. and her gratitude for the home she
has found with US is boundless.
We'll. well,' said, feeling somewhat
helpless: ''let It be as you wish"
'sThsnk Won. dear" said my sweet
wife 1--WE viii say nothing Of this TO
Eunice; it would grieve her. And just
now" she added, with bright look. I'VE
must have no Clouds
Later in the day met Nile. Rosalie's
frank SMILE with a smile frank. She
seemed grateful for the response. for
she raised my hand to her lips and kiss
ed it. and then. as though ashamed Of
h.-Snlf fnr .lis .h..L.tin- ~ faelir. she