Shiner gazette. [volume] (Shiner, Tex.) 1893-current, 1909-03-18

ubeys anu are not Responsible LOT
the consequences. sit down, | say,
and tell me my mothers story"
Perhaps my eyes and voice had
something maniacal about them. At
any rate, my nurse made no farther
resistance to nv viii, but, seating
herself trembling on the edge of
the bedstead, began at once.
II nursed her at my breast, Miss
Rosallnd, for her mother died when
she was born, and her father
trusted me as the wife of a faith
full servant who had come with him
from England. He cared for her,
but never loved her At first he
looked on her as the cause of her
mothers death, and later on he saw
that she feared and avoided him.
Il used to try to teach her bet
ter, but she was ever shy and
timid child, and never could bring
herself to show the freedom and
confidence with her father that he
loved SO much in you. Remember,
Miss Rosalind, whatever | may tell
you, remember that your grand
father always loved and was kind
to you"
yes. yes, go onl" l murmured,
impatiently.
I'VE travelled a good deal, and
lived awhile at the grand house in
Richmond, where you have always
lived, but after a while your grand
father who mostly hated everybody,
left the world altogether and came
20 this old house that his father
had built at greast cost, bringing
all the finishings and ornamental
work from England. But your
grand father never liked the place,
and his English wife never came to
it at all. Now, however, it suited
him better than more cheerful
home, and he TOLD Andrew (my hus-
band, l mean, dearie,) the first
morning after he came, that he
would end his days here.
1T seemed dull enough to us
servants, for we didn't half fill the
house, and there never was any
company. But little Miss Odelais
never found any place dull or
gloomy, but would SIT whole hours
dreaming, and whispering to her
self, not caring for other company.
AT last, she grew great girl,
and after much thought | ventured
to remind my master that his
daughter was growing to be a wo-
man without any of the knowledge
betting her condition. For, al
though I would gladly have taught
her, was sadly ignorant myself.
Colonel Howard looked at me
gloomily for moment and then
asked his daughters age. told him
she was fifteen. He waved his
hand, saying, That will do, Es-
ther, and ] was glad to leave the
room.
1.-THE next day your grandfather
wrote to a friend of his at the North
and / suppose asked him merely to
send him teacher for his daugh-
ter without mentioning whether it
was to be male or female. At any
rate, he seemed very much aston
ished when one day young gentle
man arrived with letter for him
from his Northern friend, and so
come up with it to the nursery to
tell me.
That stupid fellow has sent me
a bobble-de-hoy from college to
teach the child, instead of a girl as
/ expected, but l don't know that
it won't answer as well, unless, in
deed, the little coward is afraid OF
him las she is of me. You must talk
to her, Esther and tell her she is
not to run away and hide when he
speaks to her, but try to learn hel
a-b-abs like a good child that is il
the boy knows enough to teach then
to her
"IIe laughed in his scornful way
and went out leaving me to repea
what he had said to my pet wheI
she came in from her walk.
THE next day my master again
appeared in the nursery, now to b.
the schoolroom, and this time h,
was accompanied by Mr.. Gray, thu
new totor.
He was a handsome and kind
spoken young gentleman, but he hal
not the spirit and temper that
love to seq in a man. He woul
blush or turn pale when the colone
made his rough remarks, as he oftel
did, Just to try him, 1t seemed t
me; and If the young man had mad
some answer back, or showed tina
he was angry, he would have had a
easier time of it, for my maste
loved courage better than anything
except his own old family So afte
while Mr.. Gray got to avoidin
his employer all that he could, an
often whole days would pass witt
out their meeting, for my master
who was buried in his books woul
have his meals brought to him i
the library, and pass his evening
there, and / promise you Mr.. Ora
was none too fond of interruptin
him"
The old woman paused with
melancholy sigh, and l. who kne
what was to come, moaned imp
tiently,
Go on go on!"
Never mind the rest tonight. m
pet" pleaded Esther, coming t.
ward me and putting her arm
about me. 1T is sad, sad tai
and night is shutting in"
go onl go on! reiterated