Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1909-12-10

becoming bonnet, and was rather pale
warmly, healthfully pale-with
wavy nut-brown hair, a pair of dark
gray or blue eyes, deepened by nearly
black brows and lashes, a sweet pa.
thetic mouth and red dewy lips: she
moved with easy undulating grace
suggestive of long, well-formed limbs
"A fine GIRL" was the young dra-
goon's mental commentary, as he stood
aside to let her pass, and, with slight
bow, disappeared from the room.
Miss Desmond" repeated Mrs. Sa-
vile, come and sit here beside me-"
She looked piercingly at her visitor as
she made slight courtesy and handed
her a note before taking seat. say
ing, in a soft, clear, refined voice, "Mr.
Rawson was so good as to give me a
few Introductory lines"
Quite right. A lawyers instructive
precaution," returned Mrs. Saville,
opening 1t and glancing at the con-
tents.
suppose you know the usual sort
of service expected from companion?
reading aloud, writing letters, doing
the agreeable when there Is no one
else to talk, and, above all, understand.
ing when to be silent 1t can't be the
most delightful kind of life; but you
will have a comfortable home If you
stay"
Miss Desmond had colored family
while she listened, and now smiled, a
pleasant smile, though her lips quiv.
cred as If she were a little nervous
When you want to earn your bread
you do not expect to be housed and
paid merely to amuse yourself. |
think I know what my duties would
be-"
Add to this knowledge that l am a
very exacting person, without a tinge
OF sentiment. l have no notion Of
treating any one who does me certain
service for certain remuneration as q
daughter. That Is all nonsense"
II think 1t is," said Miss Desmond,
calmly.
Mrs. Saville looked at her sharply,
and met a pair of very steadfast eyes
in which something like a smile lurk.
ed. How old are your" she asked
abruptly.
Il shall be two-and-twenty in Sep
tember next"
Hum! you look at once more and
less than that Can you read aloud?'
"Yes. Whether 1 can read we'll is
for you to Judge"
Can you play or sing?'
Il can play little"
81 know what that means. Now
suppose you read me this speech OF
Lord Hartington's, handing her the
paper. Miss Desmond took it, and i'm
mediately began. After about ten min
utes Mrs Saville said, not unkindly
That will do. You read fairly we'll
You do not pronounce some name:
properly"
For names there is no rule, ant
sometimes opinions respecting then
differ. l shall, of course, pronounce
them In the way you prefer.
Mrs. Saville was silent for a mo
ment. "If you are inclined to try 8
couple Of months with me, am will
ing to try you"
That Is best Trial only can prove
il we suit each other"
Have you settled about terms with
Mr.. Rawson?"
, Yes; they are most satisfactory"
Very well. l shall go to the coun
try in day or two, and then l hope
you will join me. You have been OF
the Continent, believe; then you car
read French?"
Yes, fairly we'll"
There Is the bell. Pray join me a
luncheon"
Thank you, shall be very happy.
Takes things coolly," thought Mrs
Saville; knows her own value, proba
, bly,. So much the better. l could no
stand gushing girl"
At luncheon the hostess started var
ious topics in an easy unstudied way
and found that her young guest
though far from talkative, was quite
equal to discussing them intelligently
AS soon as they rose from the table
; Miss Desmond took leave of her new
lady patroness, promising to obey hel
summons whenever 1t came.
Really" thought Mrs. Saville, a,
she dressed for an afternoon airing, ".
telieve that girl may do. If she doe!
not, why, 1t is no great matter. Sh,
certainly has the air and manner of {
gentlewoman"