The Governors

er life had been spent, had felt herself, notwithstanding her nineteen years, a person of consequence and dignity. Virginia, when four hours later she followed a tall footman in wonderful livery t

e of these, her more immediate surroundings. She, who had lived all her life in a simple farmhouse, where every one worked, and a single servant was regarded as

ls, magnificent and impressive even to her ignorant eyes; the hardwood floors, the wonderful furniture, the statuary and flowers, the smooth-tongued servants-all these things were an abs

in since the day when she had left college, an unusually early graduate, and returned to her father's tiny home to become the acknowledged belle of the neighbourhood. Here, though, she felt her looks of small avail; she might reign as a queen in Wellham Springs, but she felt herself a very insignificant person in the home of her uncle, the great railway millionaire and financier, Mr. Phineas Duge

getting an old man, you see, and I have many whims. I like to have any one with whom I am talking almost at my elbow. Now tell

ich he still had plenty, was parted in the middle and brushed away in little waves. He was clean-shaven, and his grey eyes were at once soft and humorous. He had a delicate mouth, refined features, a

een in a big city, and it is very noisy here, isn't it? Besides, I have never

hand upon

will very soon get used to this. You wi

ughed

eated. "Why, it is all

nod

et life. You will find things here di

ruments which stood on the top of his

ite sure," s

r three are ordinary telephones-two for long distance calls and one for the city. When you came in I touched this knob on the floor beneath my foot. All the telephones were at once disconnected here and connected with my secretaries' room. I can sit here at this table and shake the money-marke

dly. "But, of course, you must be, or y

hand gentl

sent for you, as you know, because there are times when I feel a little lonely, and I thought that if my sister could spare one of her children, it would be

The prospect was not wit

on't understand, I am afraid, the way we live down at Wellham Springs. We have really no

d at her

practical part of it. She only needs to have some one to whom she can refer now and then. You would have nothing whatever

ered, "that I should kn

uch easier than you imagine. You have only to be natural, acquire the art of listening, and

e looked so kind and good-natured that it d

y glad to be here, and it all sounds v

ined look in his face. She was almost sorry

t there are certain things, certain offences I might say, for which I have no forgiveness. Stella deceived me. She made use of information, secret information which she a

u sent her away?"

you. I feel sure that what I have said will be sufficient. If you will stay with me a little time, and take my daughter's place, I think you will not find me very stern or very ungrateful. Now I am going to ring fo

I have been to Boston tw

smi

ll take you to one of the famous restaurants. It will suit me better to be somewhere out of the way for an hour or two

cle-" s

ed his

in your room. I have had a collection of things sent round on approval, and

dle-aged lady in a stiff black

"this is my niece. She

her everything that sh

rn her out as well as yo

at eight

waved them out of the room. Virginia followed her guide upstairs, feeling more and more with ever