The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-05


 sic Bellenden-the governess; that's hel name." laughs the captain. I've known her ever so long. She used to dance in 'Bulbul and the Rose;' hey, old boy, MT. Batch here knows. All right, though, Bel lenden was" Just then Miss Prior en- ters the room and Captain Clarence calls out, "rhere she is Come and sit by me. Bessie Bellenden." Poor Miss Prior turned as white as marble. Wrath, terror and wonder are in the countenances of tho dowagers. It was an awful scene. MT. Batchelor knows that 1t was to help my family did it." says the poor governess. ''Yes. and mo- body can say ono word against her." bursts in Dick Bedford. And you knew that person was on the stage and intro duced her into my son's family7 Oh. MT. Ratchelor. I did not think 1t of youl' rays the Hurried Bennington and then to Bessie. Don't speak to me, miss," You brought this woman into the homo of my adored Ceciliar says Lady Baker ma jestically to Batchelor and then hercely to Miss Prior, "serpentl leave the room Pack your trunks, viper, and quit this house at once. Leave her, Popham, my dear-leave that woman"
 But Popham only clung the closer to Miss Prior and said; "I won't, you old beast-and she shan't go; and pa shant let you" shouts the boy. But his sister, Cecilia says with an air, "Oh, Popham if Miss Prior has been naughty. she must go." Spoken like my own daughters child" says Lady Baker and little "Cis- sy.' having cast her stone, looked as If she had done a very virtuous act. "God bless you. master Pop-you are trump you are." says Bedford. 'Yes, I must go away, dear" said Bessie, kissing the boy. Don't touch that child." shrieks Lady Baker, don't pollute him further" That's pretty hard words says Bed- ford, ito be said to an honest woman" Pray, madam. are you engaged to the butler, too?" howls Lady Baker.
 Just then who should como in but the medical man. whats the matter7" says Drencher, observing the angry, fearful faces and evident disorder. 'The matter is that this person." says Lady Baker. with an accent on the person. 'has been
  the stage. If you think such a person it companion for your mother and sis ters. I wish you joy, that's all. MT Drencher." You never told me, Lizzie said Drencher, with a look of sorrowful reproof "It wasn't fair not to tell mo" The poor man fairly sobbed-but he turned his back Just the same, and left the room, and Bessie "Hi. come back here, you-what's your name-Sawbonesi I say come back. She's all right, upon my honor, she always was all right, was Bellenden." The captain was slightly scared at the rumpus his tale-bearing had kicked up, besides having in his tip- sy noddie genuine idea of being just to poor Bessie. But the doctor would not come back.
 When Lovel returned Just before dinner he saw Bessie's trunks in the hall. whats all this?" he asked. "Oh, Miss Prior be a-going," says one of the maids, and Bedford gruffiy confirms the news. Going? What for? Who says she is going?" asks Lovel. The two dowagers had been for drive after their victory. and now returned together for the 1nal assault upon Lovel. "She Is going,' says Mrs. Bennington, because she cannot longer stay In this house. That woman Is no fit companion for my angers chill dren, Frederick" said Lady Baker And then both old ladies exclaimed. in mortified voices: "She has danced on the stage, Frederick-danced on the stagel' well, what of it?'' asks the man once so meek and humble to his womenfolk. T knew 1t all along Elisabeth, come" And, talk ing Miss Prior by the hand, MT. Lovei said: ''Elixabeth, if you have any love for the children, if you have any regard for their father, do not leave this house. Stay in 1t as it's mstress-stay in 1t as my wife,
 The dowagers were fairly beside them selves; then even flung themselves on their knees and poured forth prayers and anathenas in the most incoherent man. ner. But Miss Prior was calm and com posed. The yes she nnurmured to Lovel had no accent of faltering in 1t. Old Mrs. Prior came in just as tho scene was ending and the two dowaxers set upon her But she was quite able to hold her own, and the battle might have been ac- companied with some personal dishSure- ments of Lady Bakers hair and eyes If Bessie had not calmly directed her mother to return to her home, whither she. Bessie, would accompany her and stay until the marriage day. After that, when some improvements had been made to the place, perhaps Mrs. Prior ccuids find time to spend a day. or two, even.s with her daughter. As to Lady Baker and Mrs. Bennington, Bessie had them out of the house before she left 1t her self. and at her suggestion even MT. Batch departed with xovel for a club dinner in town. Of course. 1t being qsovel's fate to be always riied by some woman, Elizabeth rules him now. But her rule Is such an improvement over the harsh tyranny of Lady Baker and Mrs. Bennington that to Isovel 1t seems like perfect freedom.
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