The Evil Genius: A Domestic Story — page 39: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

28 THE EVIL GENIUS. pointed for the third time, and drew Miss Wigger’s attennon in the right direction at last. She read the advertisement. ‘* A young lady wishes to be employed in the education of a little girl. Possessing but few accomplishments, and having been only a junior teacher at a school, she offers her services on trial, leaving it to her employer to pay whatever salary she may be considered to deserve, if she obtains a permanent engage- ment. Apply, by letter, to S. W., 14 Delta Gardens, N. E.” ‘* Most impertinent!” said Miss Wigger. Mr. Linley looked astonished. ‘“‘T say, most impertinent!” Miss Wigger repeated. Mr. Linley attempted to pacify this terrible woman. ‘“ It’s very stupid of me,” he said; ‘‘I am afraid I don’t quite under- stand you.” ‘“‘ One of My teachers has issued an advertisement, and has re- ferred to My address without first consulting Me. Have I made myself understood, sir?’ She looked at the carriage again, when she called him ‘‘ sir.” Not even Linley’s capacity for self-restraint could repress the expression of relief visible in his brightening face, when he dise- covered that the lady of the advertisement and the lady who terrified him were two different persons. ‘¢ Have I made myself understood ?” Miss Wigger repeated. ‘Perfectly, madam. At the same time, I am afraid I must own that the advertisement has produced a favorable impression on me.” ‘‘T fail entirely to see why,” Miss Wigger remarked. ‘There is surely,” Linley pleaded, ‘‘something straightfor-' ward—I might almost say, something innocent—in the manner in which the writer expresses herself. She seems to be singu- larly modest on the subject of her own attainments, and un- usually considerate of the interests of others. I hope you will permit me——” Before he could add, **to see the young lady,” the door was opened: a young lady entered the room. Was this the writer of the advertisement? He felt sure of it, for no better reason than this: the moment he looked at her she interested him. It was an interest new to Linley, in his experi- ence of himself. There was nothing to appeal to his admiration (by way of his senses) in the pale, wern young creature who stood near the door, resigned beforehand to whatever reception she might meet with. The poor teacher made him think of his happy young wife at home—of his pretty little girl, the spoiled child of the household. He looked at Sydney Westerfield with a heartfelt compassion which did honor to them both. ‘“ What do you mean by coming here?” Miss Wigger inquired. She answered gently, but not timidly. The tone in which the mistress had spoken had evidently not shaken her resolution, so far. ‘*T wish to know,” she said, ‘* if this gentleman desires to see me on the subject of my advertisement.” ‘‘Your advertisement?” Miss Wigger repeated. ‘‘ Miss Weg ECORNICLOOOKS.eO