The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1936-07-03
Williams, aged 15-the only child Of a

WlllamS, aged 15|the Only child OF a
millionaire manufacturer.
It was not until her final interview
with Stella's mother, in a sun room
she understood the exact nature Of her
duties. Lady Williams beautiful por-
celain person, with the brains Of a
butterfly-looked at her with appealing
violet eyes.
Its so difficult to explain, Miss
Shelley. OF course, my husband con-
siders education comes first, but what
I want is some one to exercise a moral
influence on Stella. She-she's not nor
NAL"
"Thymus gland?" ninted Ann.
% far worse. She won't wash"
Ann thought of the times she had
been sent upstairs to remove q water
mark, because she had oversight, or
wanted to finish a thriller, and she be-
gan to laugh.
That's normal, at her age" she ex-
planned: School girls often scamp
Lady Williams looked skeptical, but
relieved.
1.-THE trouble began" she said, when
she was too old for a nurse. Mamie
used to wash and dress her, like a baby.
But she refuses to let her maid do
anything but impersonal things. like
clothes. It's her idea Of Independence.
She's terribly clever and socialistic.
She'll try to catch you out"
THAT sounds stimulating" smiled
Ann.
All the same, she was not impressed
pleasantly by her new pupil. Stella
was u~nattractive, aggressive, and SUI
perior. Her sole recommendation to
AIMS favor was her intelligence, which
far above the average.
~ hos fS~c% C1%~I0r hole hN1fInu
Ann walked out to the grounds of Ar
lington Manor-the residence of the
earl Of Blankshire-to visit her old
governess, Miss West. It vas a May day
Of exciting weather, with concealed
lightning bursting through a white
windy sky. She thrilled with a sense of
liberation, when she turned in to the
road through the woods, where the
opening beeches were an emerald fila
gree against the blue shadows OF the
underground.
Miss Vests cottage suggested a fairy
tale, with its matched roof and dia-
m~ond-paned windows. It stood in a
clearing, and was surrounded by a small
garden, then purple with clumps Of
irises.
AIMS knock was answered by the
maid, Maggie-a strapping country
girl. She showed the visitor into the
bed-sitting room, where her mistress,
s ThG : was s. Srit p led with rheumatism was
Miss West was an old woman, for
she had also been a governess to AIMS
mother. Her mouth and chin had as
sumed the nutcracker of age. so that
she looked rather like an old witch,
with her black blazing eyes and snowy
hair.
Her dominant quality a her vi
tality. Ann could still feel it playing on
her, like a battery, as they exchanged
Il love your little house." she re-
in tea. "But it's very lonely. Are you
NERVOUS Of what?" asked Miss West.
There's nothing here to steal, and no
money: Everyone knows that the earl
is my banker"
This was her way of explaining that
she was a penniless pensioner Of the
earl, whom she had taught in his nurs-
cry days.
every morning, some one comes
down from the manor with the days
supplies" she said. AT night, a re-
sponsible person visits me for my Or
ders and complaints -. o you needn't
look down your lose. The earl IS in my
debt: He is prolonging my life at a
thrilling expense to himself, but I saved
risk of my own"
Her deep voice throbbed as she add
ed. II still feel there is nothing so
precious as life"
Later, in that small bewitched room,
Ann was to remember her words.
"Iife's big things appeal most to me-"
she confessed. Oxford was wonderful
every minute Of 1t. And I'm Just living
for my marriage with Kenneth. I told
you I was engaged. He's q doctor on q