The Widowed Bride — page 89: what you’re looking at

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

ae THE WIDOWED BRIDE. silence, tapping the unfolded sheet in her lap, ‘‘from a cler- gyman in Cardiganshire, Wales, the Reverend Ralph Hskett, who solicits my good offices in assisting him to select a goy- erness for his three little girls. Thesituation, near the sea, and not distant from the picturesque mountain ranges of Northern Wales, is delightful, as I can myself testify, having once visited my friend, Mrs. Eskett, three years ago. The family are charming, and would make a home for any young lady, who came to them in the capacity of gov- erness, and the salary is thirty-five pounds per annum, a very nice sum,” continued Miss Hartford, with an air of subdued triumph. ‘‘I have written to Mr. Kskett, that my young friend, Miss Percival, would probably suit his require- ments in all respects, and I am only waiting for your sanc- tion, Rena, to seal up my letter, and send it to the post- office at once.” | Rena wassilent. Miss Hartford at once Jumped to the conclusion that she was overwhelmed by the brilliant pros- pects that lay before her. “7 know you are quite inexperienced, my dear,” she added; ‘‘but I think, with application and care, you can hardly fail to fill the position to the satisfaction of Mr. and - Mrs. Eskett. You need not allow any misgivings about your sister to influence your decision, as I can easily make her useful in the charge of the elementary classes here until a similar opportunity offers itself for her satisfactory estab- lishment in life. Norneed you be perplexed as to a suita- ble outfit, as Lady Barrowfield’s executors have directed that the sum of fifty pounds be paid to your credit, at any time you choose to draw it from the bank. Fifty pounds _ ought to purchase a very nice and complete wardrobe for any young lady, even allowing a margin for some little extras.” ete And Miss Hartford looked triumphantly at Rena, as if she thought she had placed at her disposal the key to a mine of gold. | _ *T will finish my letter at once,” she said, ‘‘and tell them you will be happy to undertake the charge.” ‘You need not, Miss Hartford,” said Rena, ina voice that _-_- Was exquisitely soft and low, and yet as resolute as if every word had beena thunderbolt. ‘I do not wish to accept the - situation.” See | “Not wish to accept the situation!” Miss Hartford’s eyes -comicbooks.com