Custer County Republican. (Broken Bow, Neb.) 1882-1921, 1903-07-16

ing out, 81 seen her, Hall did. And
she don't look cross neither. You dassn't
peck in thar, dast your
They were my future pupils, l was
sure; and already my heart warmed to-
ward them, particularly her with the sill
very voice, and ! was just thinking Of
going out to find them, when | heard n
light footstep on the stairs, and the next
moment a tall, dark eyed girl, apparent
ly fourteen or fifteen years of age, enter
ed the room, introducing herself as Miss
Lima Lansing and welcoming me so cor
daily that felt myself at once at home.
Mother" said she, lis indisposed,
and has sent me to receive you, and ask
what you would like"
had scarcely slept moment the night
previous, so ! replied that If conven-
lent ! would go Immediately to my room.
Ringing the bell, she summoned to the
room a short, dumpy muatto, whom she
called Cressy, and who, she said, was TO
be my attendant. Following her up tho
stairs, | was ushered into a large, airy
chamber, which, though not furnished
with elegance, still contained everything
| for my comfort.
Shall ! wash rhissus' feet first, or
comb her har?" asked the negress, pour
|
ing tub.
This was entirely new to me, who had
| always been accustomed to wait upon
| myself so | declined her offers of as
| sistance, telling her 81 preferred being
alone, and could do everything for my
self which was necessary"
My toilet was nearly completed when
| heard in the hall the patter of childish
feet, while round, bright eye was ap-
piled to the keyhole 1t was the same
which had looked at me in the parlor; and
anxious to see ts owner, | stepped out
Of the door just rs fairy creature with
golden curs started to run away. l was
too quick for her, however, and catching
her in my arms, | pushed back the clus
tering ringlets from her brow, and gazing
into her sunny face, asked her name.
Raising her white, waxen hand, she
did for me the Office had done for her.
viz, pushed back my curls, and looking
in my face, answered: "Ma says it's
Jessica, but Lima, Hal and Uncle Dick
call me Jessie and | like that heap
the best. You are our new goverpess,
amt your
She was singuiarly beautiful. A light
shone in her lustrous blue eyes, which
gave her the expression of an angel, for
such she was-an angel in her Southern
home, which, without her, would have
been dark and cheerless. Her brother,
| whom she called Hal, was three years
older, and not nearly so handsome. He
was very dark, and it seemed to me that
l had seen face like his before; but ere
| could remember where, a faint voice
from piazza called out, "Halbert, Hal
bert, come here"
That's ma" said Jessie, getting down
from my arms. That's ma--come and
see her." and following her, soon stood
in the presence of Mrs. Lansing, who was
reclining rather indolently in large
willow chair. She was a chubby, rosy
checked woman, apparently thirty-ive
years of age. Her eyes were very black,
and she had habit of frequently shut
ting them, so as to show off the long,
fringed eyelashes. On the whole, l
thought, she was quite prepossessing in
her appearance, an opinion, however,
which | changed ere long; for by the
time l reached her, there was a lark
cloud on her brow, evidently of displeas-
ure or Of disappointment. Still, she was
very polite, offering me her jeweled hand,
saying, Miss Lee l suppose. You are
welcome to Georgia." then, after an in
slant, she added, you don't look at all
like | thought you would"
was uglier than she expected, pre-
sumed, and the tears started. to my eyes
rs l replied, 81 wrote to you that was
very plain, but after a little l shall look
better; l am tired now with travelling"
a strange, peculiar smile fitted over
her face, while she intently regarded me
as if to assure herself of my sanity. |
was puzzled and in my perpexity said
something about returning home if my
looks were so disagreeable. "They were
used to me there, and didn't mind it," |
said, at the same time leaning my head
against the vine-wreathed pillar, sob
bed aloud 1.-the ms n kitten, little Jes-
sica sprung up behind me, and winding
her arms round my neck. asked why
cried.
'Jessica Jessicu. get down this mo-
ment," said the lady. Il did not intend
to hurt Miss Lees feelings, and do hot
understand how | could have done So
She is either 'cting a part, or else she
strangely misunderstands me. Do you
really think yourself ugly?'
OF course | did. | had never thought
otherwise, for hadn't l been told so ever
since l was a child? Thus | answered
her, and she believed me, for she re-
piled, You are mistaken, Miss Lee, for,
however plain you might have been in
childhood, you are not so now. Neither
do | understand how with those eyes,
that hair and brow, you can think your
self ugly. | do not believe you meant to
deceive me, but, to tell the truth, | am
disappointed; but that cannot now be
helped and We'll make the best of it,"
Perfectly astonished, | listened to her
remarks, giving her the credit of mean
ing what she said, and for the first time
in my life felt as 1 suppose folks must
feel who think they are handsome. After
this little storm was over, she evidently
exerted herself to be agreeable for a
few moments, and then rather abruptly
asked me how old was.
mot quite eighteen" she repeated In
some surprise. why, I supposed you
were twenty-five at least! Don't you
think she looks older than Ada?" turning
to Lima, who answered quickly, "Oh. TO,
mother, nothing like as old"