The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-02-01
THE EVENING STORY

IBy Nellie Cravey Gillmore.I

/ lBy Nellie Cravey Gillmore.1
She was fragile and girlish-a gentle.
mouselike little thing. the very anti
thesis Of her predecessor She had been
a gaunt, be-spectacled person who NUM-
bered her austere years in the forties.
| Who never wore anything but black
alpaca, and whose watchword was dis
cipline with q big D. Marcia Carewe
was %, gracious and affectionate, and
where her predecessor inspired only
dread, she commanded instant and
abiding devotion.
But The hour come when the little
! governess must leave. The two years
she had spent under Chelwick's roof,
caring for Chelwick's children, had been
Iul OF happiness and content-almos1
| too full to last And suddenly, IN
| flash, it dawned upon Marcia why. she
Eegan, at first, dimly, to realize that
she had drifted into dangerous water.
| She had no right to find the mouse
dull when Chelwick was away. what
business had she to brighten up at his
return? Why had she held her breath,
| and prayed, during the long spell OF
| typhoid fever that threatened to make
| orphans of his little ones? The day he
| was pronounced out of danger. the
| And now that things had become nor
| NAL once more. when she was no longer
| necessary. she would go.
| 1t was hard to put the things in her
trunk. She recalled. with bitter
heart-pang. that old struggle before
she found this haven of peace and
| rest. What had the future in store for
her? What could it offer-now?
Richard Chelwick was out of town.
He would be home on the following day
and she would wait long enough, she
decided, to thank him for his unfalllng
goodness, his generosity, and to tell
him of the new plans she deemed were
for her betterment.
That night she had her last intimate
hour with her little charges, and told
them goodby. Their tears and protes-
tations made it doubly hard for her to
do her duty, but she managed to keep
firm throughout the ordeal Then there
was Mrs. Raymond. Chelwick's aunt
and housekeeper. Marcia found II no
easy thing to satisfy this shrewd little
woman's argumentative mind
I'D love to stay" the governess
summed up gently-and ultimately
but 1 have my own way to make in
the world, and 1 must make the pest
of my opportunities"
But she spent a sleepless night. She.
rose at daybreak and finished the nttle
odds and ends of her packing. Then
she dressed herself and went down
stairs to breakfast.
Throughout the meal she was
brighter than usual under the whip
she had laid upon her shrinking
spirits. But there were gloomy faces
and silent tongues all about her.
Chelwick came in about 9 o'clock.
He was flushed from the excitement
of his journey. But something in
tangible checked the smile on his lips;
his quick-almost feminine-intuition
sensed instantly the air of constraint
in the room.
Miss Carewe is leaving US at noon.
Dick said his aunt as if in answer
to his unspoken question. I think
it's a shame! 1 don't see how We're
to get along without her, do you? We
can't persuade her to change her
mind. Perhaps if you'd try"
us this true, Miss Marcia?"
The little governess nodded as she
rose from her chair at the table. Two
throbbfng circles of red burned in her
cheeks, but she met his eyes bravely.
I'm sorry to go, of course, Mr.. Chel-
wick" she said. i've been very hap
py here; but, as you know, I'm alone
in the world, and cannot afford to
neglect any opening that points to
my advancement"
A relieved expression came into the
mans eyes. "Oh! if that is all, stay
on by all means with us. I'll raise
your salary to suit you, and
'It is too late now, sir. You're
more than kind, but it would be i'm
possible. You see, I've already sign
ed"
l.
eddy worth your while; 1 will indeed,
Miss Marciai" Chelwick drew off his
coat and tossed it carelessly across a.
chair. Then he drew up another and
sat down to his breakfast.
The blood had famed, banner-1ike
oyee Marcia Carewe's delicate face,
but her tone was firm. ST cannot,
Mr.. Che1wick," she said, "please let's
discuss it no more"
Chelwick pushed aside his plate
ffVNi11 o. int he a
brary, Miss Carewe? I want private
word with you"
The governess swallowed a lump
She knew by that that there was a lit
tie battle ahead of her. This was not
the first time their wills had cIashed,
and she shrank inwardly. But she
replied by a pleasant inclination of
her head and passed into the room
beyond.
Chelwick followed. The ruddy glow
had deserted his cheeks and his eyes
betrayed a set purpose Marcia was
standing at one of the windows look
ing out-and gathering her forces
when the sound of his voice, grave,
low-pitched, caused her to turn.
Now, then. let's have the whole
truth from your own lips
A quivering fear lest he should pen
citrate her heart made Marcia Carewe
brave. There's only one thing to
say. Mr.. Chelwicl1. and I've already
said it. I have given my promise to
take this class in the high school,
and l have no right to draw back"
Has any one been disrespectful-
hurt your feelings, here ?" he demand
ed, ignoring her last words complete
ly. You must not hesitate to be can
did with me-" He paused.
Never. Mr.. Chelwick,' she replied
quickly. Every one has been more
than kind-too kind. 1t breaks my
heart to have to say goodby. I've felt
as If this were really home. You
ought to understand this, sir; girl
in my position can't choose the soft
places all through life; she must get
out and battle
But when she neednt?" he per-
sisted. stWhen-"
There are many ways of looking at
a thing, Mr.. Chelwick. have my own