Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1915-02-26
By EUNICE BLAKE


name Of Maria BristOw.
Now, it happened that Jack Larrabee,
the son Of the lady who had engaged
the governess, when the negotiations
were in progress peeped through the
half open door and recognized per-
son he had seen and admired as one
Of the most graceful dancers In the
social world He had never been pre-
sented to her and was sure that she
did not know him.
II think l know trick worth two
O. that" he said and got out Of the
way before the applicant had seen him.
There were in the Larrabee family,
besides Jack, Mrs. Larrabee, widow,
and two little daughters. There was
chauffeur who sometimes acted as gar
dener. The morning after Miss Auch-
incloss entered upon her duties she
saw q man in overalls outside prepar-
ing the flower beds for spring use. Be-
ing fond of flowers, she went out to
ask him some questions as to what he
was doing.
II didn't know" she said, that Mrs.
Larrabee employed two men on the
place. supposed the chauffeur did
the gardening"
$50 he does, miss. but this spring
the missis has hired me-"
Miss Auchincloss asked number OF
questions about what kind Of flowers
he was intending to put in, then re-
turned to the house and soon after be-
gan work with the children at their
lessons.
Now, Jack Iarrabee, in order to play
gardener without being given away,
told his mother that he was tired OF
the social whirl and anxious to make
man of himself. He proposed to take
the position Of gardener for garden
er's pay, but he stipulated that he
should do 80 incognito. His being a
member of the family was not to be
divuIged.. His sisters we're not only
charged not to give the secret away.
but rewards were offered them If they
refratned from doing 80.
Occasionally the chauffeur was
bribed by Jack to plead Illness, and
Jack took his place at the wheel. Jack
also at times bribed his sisters when
the time came for the afternoon ride
to do something else. thus giving him
an opportunity to make love to the
governess.
It was not to be expected that this
twofold deception could be kept up in
definitely, though Miss Auchincloss
had a better chance at the problem
than Mr.. Larrabee, she being some dis
lance from home. Jack by incessant
watchfulness kept the ball a-rolling for
a month, though he met with a num-
Der Of narrow escapes. He was dis
appointed, however, in not being able
to break down the barrier that sepa-
rated him from one who was supposed
to be Of higher station. Miss Auch-
incloss, though evidently kindly dis
posed toward him, required him at all
times to keep his distance.
One day when Jack was driving the
governess in runabout they met two
Of his friends, Ned Morgan and Char
lie Phelps. A chaufeur's apparel is
not necessarily much different from
that Of an ordinary person, and the
young men thought little Of seeing
Jack at the wheel.
Hold on, Jack!" cried one of them.
II wish to speak to you"
Jack put on more speed. His friends.
one Of whom had recognized the socie-
ty belle, Miss Auchincloss. turned and
followed. Seeing an opportunity by
taking a different road to meet the
couple again, they turned and by some
rapid driving succeeded in their de-
sign. On meeting again they signal
ed Jack to stop and enforced his doing
so by occupying his side Of the road.
Phelps greeted the governess with a
hearty "Good morning, Miss Auchin-
closs!'' while Morgan apologized to
Jack for stopping him on the ground
that he had message for him.
Jack looked at Miss Auchincloss, and
Miss Auchincloss looked at Jack, but
neither said anything till they had got
rid of the two men. Then Jack said:
my secret is OUT
IT'S been out for some time"
"What! You have known who
am?"
Ever since I came to the house.
You may have forgotten that danced
in the same figure with you at Mrs.
Perkins cotillion."
II recognized you, but I fancied that
you didn't remember me-
Arr
my playing governess and your play
ing gardener are finished. I think we
had better return to our own selves"
II am of your opinion. There is too
much work for the wages"
But Jack prevailed upon her to defer
her going for awhile longer. which
gave him further opportunity to do his
::ourt1ng, and wheE she left they were
engaged r.'.-