The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1905-09-12
rHApTER I

with my wife and only
child, Eunice, at Boscombe
Lodge, Seyenoaks. A brief description
of my abode will suffice. Boscombe
Lodge is an estate of about twelve
acres; the residence is OiI-fashioned
and roomy, and the pleasure grounds
around it are charmingly laid out.
Four female servants, gardener and
a coachman did the work of the house
and grounds. In addition to these
were Samuel Fleetwood and Mile.
Resale Lenormand.
1t would not be correct to describe
Samuel Fleetwood as a servant. He
was altogether superior man, and
was attached to me in confidential
capacity. Circumstances Of a peculiar
nature had made me acquainted with
him some years previous to his enter
ing my house. He 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 / stepped in
to his aid A ministering angel indeed
did my wife ever prove herself to be
in such cases as this; her presence in
the sick chamber was balm, her smile
sunshine, her gentle voice breathed
peace. No man could more strongly
appreciate the sympathetic aid we rem
dered in a time of need than Samuel
FleetwoodS it stirred him to innermost
depths, and he was profoundly CRATE
full for it. Ny wife and I 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
slight return.
II speak for him as well as for my
SELF" she said. "He feels as do"
/ received with humbleness, as ] am.
sure my wife did, these extravagant
expressions Of gratitude, to which,
however, I made no demur, because l
perceived that the utterance of them
afforded the poor woman pleasure. To
ease her last moment / said that /
would continue to be her husbands
friend, and light of great happiness
shone in her eyes.
"He will be your faithful and devoted
servant" she said, family, "to the hour
of his DEATH
Faithful and devoted indeed he was,
and / trusted him as would have
trusted brother
1t is necessary, also, for proper I'M
Outstanding Of my story, that I should
say something here of Mile. Lenor-
mand, governess, companion and lady's
maid to my dear daughter Eunice.
This unusual mingling of duties was Of
Mile. Rosalie's own arranging. She en-
tered our service as governess to per-
feet Eunice in modern languages, draw
ing and painting. had nothing to do
with the engaging Of the lady, and
therefore it was that did not see her
until she was regularly installed in our
house.
She was a fair lady, with anguish
ing blue eyes, with light hair, and eye
brows almost golden in color. My
wife, although she confessed she had
not inquired, said that She was about
twenty-five years of age. am not a
good judge of a woman's age, espe-
cially if that woman be fair, and /
took my wife's word for it.
isn't she sweet papaT' asked
Eunice.
100 soon to pronounce" replied,
passing my hand fondly over Eunice's
hair, which was dark like my wife's.
Some few weeks afterward / asked
Eunice how she was getting on with
modern languages.
Papa" said Eunice, II don't think
Mile. Rosalie is very proficient in Ian
guages."
Indeed, my dearT' said, smiling.
"But she paints beautifully, papa"
said Eunice. Here are some Of her
sketches"
examined them and was really sur
prised at their excellence, and more
surprised at the subjects the artist had
chosen. Moreover, they bore unmis-
taxable evidence of having been paint
ed from the life. mentioned this Incl
dentally to Eunice, and she immedi-
ately ran away and returned breath
less.
"Oh, yes, papa!'' she cried-"from the
life. l asked her, and she said it was
the only way to produce good work"
The information deepened my sur
prise. They were figure subjects; a
duel, tipsy brawl, group Of merry
monks, gallants ogling lady. moon
light meeting of lovers, gamblers in a
lowe cafe, and such like. The execu-
tion was mastery, but they were
strange themes from the life'' for a
young lady.
Saying they were very clever, hand
ed the sketches back to Eunice, and
from that day set myself to closer
observance of Mile. Rosalie. allowed
month to pass, and then I asked
Eunice how she was getting along with
her studies In painting.
''Not very well, papa,v said Eunice.
1--WE have hardly had one lesson-now
/ think Of it, not even one. Mile Rosa
lie has taken quite dislike to paint
ing; but she dresses her hair beauti-
fully"
/ noticed then my daughters hair,
which indeed was beautifully dressed.
A charming, sweet-tempered gIrl,
eighteen years of age. Egnice from the
first had never wavered in her praises