Clemence Graystone's first attempt at obtaining employment had not been
sufficiently encouraging to cause her to entertain any very sanguine
hopes in regard to a renewal of her exertions. But that stern necessity
"which knows no law," compelled her to make another trial after she had
somewhat recovered from the effects of her first disappointment.
Clemence had already began to learn some of the bitter lessons of
poverty. She no longer viewed life through the rose-colored medium that
she had been wont to do in her former, care-free days. There were
thought lines gathering on the broad, white brow, and the dark eyes,
that had once the joyous look of a happy child, told of one who had
already tasted the bitterness of life, from which a favored few in this
world only are exempt.
How true it is, as another has written, "none of our lives are dated by
years; the wear and tear of heart and brain, to say nothing of the body,
constitute age."
Clemence felt as if years instead of months had passed over her head
since their bereavement. The blow had fallen unexpectedly, and the
result was Clemence was no longer a happy child, but a sorrowing woman.
She tried to be patient, for there was another who, like Rachael of
old, mourned, and would not be comforted. Clemence felt that her own
grief was light compared to the sorrowing one, whose weary feet were
even then nearing the end of life's journey, nearing the brink of that
river, whose solemn music came to her eager ear like a benediction. The
dim eyes had a strained, wistful gaze, as if longing to behold the
radiant glories of that "land of pure delight."
The girl felt, sometimes, as she looked at the drooping, attenuated
figure, each day growing more ethereal, that her burden was greater than
she could bear. An awful fear haunted her, that she would not give a
name, and often, when she had thought of the future till she grew sick
with fear, she had felt that work would be a positive relief to her
troubled mind.
It was during one of these despondent moods, that she determined, in
spite of a former resolution to the contrary, to make another effort to
obtain employment as governess.
Looking carefully over the column of wants in a daily paper, she found
several advertisements, such as she was in search of. She copied the
address of each one of them, and this accomplished, took from its
receptacle the diploma awarded her at the celebrated Institute from
which she had graduated with high honors, and which was sufficient proof
of her education and accomplishments. Notwithstanding her previous
disappointments, she felt hopeful of success.
The first place on her list took her to a stylish residence on a
fashionable avenue. It reminded her of the luxurious home of which she
was once the petted darling, and the contrast with her present humble
position was humiliating in the extreme. She stood for some moments upon
the steps, waiting to gather courage to enter.
It was in a maze of bewilderment that she found herself a few moments
after, seated in a splendid drawing-room, awaiting the appearance of the
mistress of the mansion.
Presently there was the sound of voices, low and musical, and a lady
entered, followed by a gentleman. She was grandly beautiful, and
Clemence thought one of the haughtiest women she had ever met. She rose,
and introduced herself, stating her errand, as Miss Graystone, the
person desiring the position of governess, referring to the
advertisement.
The beautiful eyes fastened themselves inquiringly upon her face.
"There had already been a number of applicants, none of whom had given
satisfaction."
There was a moment's silence, during which Clemence felt that two pairs
of eyes were studying her countenance closely, then a series of
questions:
"What were her accomplishments?"
"Where had she received her education?"
Clemence felt like replying that she had received a good many lessons
since she had been pronounced finished by Madame Latour--lessons in
human nature, that all who have the misfortune to be poor and ambitious,
must learn, sooner or later.
"Could she dance, draw, paint, give instruction in vocal and
instrumental music?"
To all of these, Clemence replied in the affirmative, and, as before, in
obedience to a request in the imperative mode, to favor them with a
specimen of her musical ability, went forward and took a seat at the
piano.
She could not help looking her surprise, when the gentleman rose
politely to turn her music. She had not been accustomed to such little
attentions of late, though, in the past, she would have expected them,
and treated them as a matter of course. She noticed the gentleman was
handsome and distinguished-looking, with kind, grave eyes, and a smile
that illumined his intellectual face like a gleam of sunshine. His age
might have been thirty, possibly thirty-five.
Clemence's performance seemed to give satisfaction, although she did not
play as well as usual. After a few more questions, the lady asked the
gentleman if she had not better engage the services of this young person
at once.
"By all means," he said with emphasis; "I have no doubt that the young
lady will give perfect satisfaction."
Clemence again felt grateful for his kindness. She had learned to
appreciate and value a word of sympathy or encouragement. Poor child!
she received few enough of them now.
"Very well, you can come to-morrow. The children have been for some time
without a teacher, and I wish them to commence upon a course as soon as
possible."
Then, after a few remarks, and the mention of a salary, which seemed
princely to Clemence, she was shown to the door by a liveried servant,
and found herself walking homeward anxious to communicate this joyful
intelligence to her mother.
"I declare, it's a burning shame," said the motherly landlady, on being
told of her success--"a real lady like you; it's dreadful to think of."
"Why, Mrs. Mann," said Clemence, in dismay, "I thought you would be
pleased. Only six hours of work each day, and I can have so much time to
spend with mamma. I consider myself a wonderfully fortunate girl. The
salary, too, is so liberal, that I can afford now to get the comforts
that our dear invalid is pining for."
"Well, I don't want to discourage you, dear," said Mrs. Mann. "You are a
good girl, Clemence Graystone. The Lord's on your side, and He'll take
care of you, if you trust Him, as He has watched over all the ups and
downs of my life, till I'm an old woman. It's the poor, and friendless,
and desolate that He pities and loves, and He will protect you, my
darling, wherever you may be, if you only trust to His guidance."
"I believe that, Mrs. Mann," said Clemence, "and it's the one thought
that keeps me from repining at my hard lot. I believe, too, that 'the
Lord helps those who help themselves,' and I don't mean to sit down in
idleness."
"Heaven grant you prosperity," said the good woman. "Now go and comfort
the mother, for she needs it sadly."
Work proved, as Clemence had anticipated, a real blessing. Some of the
happiest hours she had known, since her deep affliction, were passed in
the school-room with her young charges. She felt now as if she was of
some use in the world, and when, after the lessons were finished, she
went home to the fond mother, who awaited her coming, she realized, with
thankfulness, that, through her exertions, want had been kept from the
door, and the uncomplaining invalid supplied with the comforts, and even
luxuries, to which she had been accustomed.
Sometimes a pleasant face looked in upon them, and "Uncle Will" was
hailed with delight by Alice and Gracie Vaughn. At first, Clemence was
cool and distant, but the cordial kindness of his manner won upon her,
and she soon grew to value the friendship thus strangely formed. The
kind word and beaming smile were very grateful to the weary girl. Ah,
how little do the favored ones of this world know of the influence of
one little act of kindness, or one pleasant word, ever so carelessly
spoken. Many a poor, weak mortal has been kept from wrong-doing by a
word fitly spoken, and others have gone down and been lost forever, from
yielding to the thought that none cared for them, either for their weal
or woe. There is not a day, nor an hour, but that somewhere throughout
the length and breadth of the land, large sums of money are expended for
charitable objects, and yet there are those who, for the want of a
friendly hand to aid them to follow the right way, have crept away, and
rid themselves of a life that had become insupportable. Persons of
sensitive feelings, wounded by the indifference of those, who, from
their professions, they should, expect only sympathy and forbearance,
have suffered and died, and "gave no sign." This is a world of misery,
and the few who know nothing of its trials, should thank God that they
have been kept from an experimental knowledge of what life really is to
thousands of their fellow-creatures, who, like themselves, are
accountable beings, and with the same capacity for enjoyment or
suffering. Indeed, none of us are always happy. We all have our hours of
trial, when even the strongest-hearted will falter, and the dreamless
slumber of the grave seem so sweet to our world-weary spirits. When it
seems so hard to say, "Thy will be done," perhaps Death enters and robs
us of some earthly idol. We see the dear one droop and die. It may be
some dear, innocent babe God has transplanted. We watch its tiny life go
out; see the sweet mouth quiver with the dying struggle, the strained,
eager gaze mutely asking relief that we cannot give. We try to think it
is well, but in place of submission, there are rebellious thoughts. Yes,
we have all striven and suffered, groping, mayhap, in the darkness of
unbelief. God, give us strength to resist and conquer! But,
"Never so closely does pain fold its wings,
But the white robe of sympathy's near it,
And each tear that the dark hand of misery wrings,
Brings the touch of a blessing to cheer it."
"Courage! weary-hearted one;" God knows what is the best for us in this
life, and has promised a glorious reward for those who are faithful, in
that life which is to come.
Mrs. Vaughn, the lady who had engaged Clemence's services, was a widow
in affluent circumstances. She spent but little time with her children,
leaving them to the care of the nurse and governess. She rarely entered
the school-room, and even when she did honor Clemence with her presence,
paused long enough to give her more than a glance of her proud,
beautiful face. She expressed supreme satisfaction with Clemence's mode
of instruction, and the children worshipped their young teacher.
With all her care and responsibility, had it not been for her anxiety in
her mother's behalf, this long, golden summer would have been one long
to be remembered for its simple pleasures and calm enjoyments. The days
passed quickly.
"Can it be possible," said Clemence to herself one day, as she took her
hat and shawl, and put them on absently, "that I have been in Mrs.
Vaughn's employment three months?" She looked at the crisp bank notes
that lay in her hand, in payment of her first quarter's salary. "I
consider myself a young lady of some importance, or, perhaps, I should
say 'young woman,' now that I am a working member of society." She
laughed aloud at her own thoughts. "Well, I am proud of the privilege,"
she mused, "and can take pleasure in the thought that I am an
'independent unity,' I never felt so strong-minded in my life."
A tawdry, ill-kempt female figure was shuffling slowly by the stately
Vaughn mansion, as Clemence tripped down the steps, and two envious
black eyes noted the happy smile upon her face.
"How d'ye do, Miss Graystone," said a harsh voice. "Ain't too big to
speak to a body, are you, cause you happen to be among 'ristocrats?"
Clemence turned and immediately recognized Mrs. Bailey, an elderly
woman, who lodged beneath the same humble roof to which her own
straitened circumstances had consigned her with her parent.
"Good afternoon, Mrs. Bailey," she said politely, "I did not observe you
before."
"He! he!" giggled the old lady spitefully, "my eyes are sharp, if I am
old. May be, now, if I was a fine gentleman, like the one with yonder
lady, I would not be so easily overlooked?"
She stretched out her long arm, and looking in the direction in which
she pointed, Clemence beheld, to her horror and dismay, Mrs. Vaughn, and
beside her the gentleman who had been so kind to her, and had seemed to
take such a friendly interest in her success with her little pupils.
They had not yet been observed, and there was still time for the
mortified girl to make her escape unseen. The first impulse of her mind
was to excuse herself to her eccentric companion, and turn quickly a
convenient corner.
"But," she thought, "I should hurt this good woman's feelings, and lose
my own self-respect by such a course. Clemence Graystone, what are these
people to you, that you should do a cowardly act for fear of them."
She raised her head proudly, and gave, perhaps, a more than usually
distant bend of the head to the gentleman's respectful bow. The lady
gave her only a stare of astonishment, and they had scarcely passed,
when she heard these words distinctly:
"How shocking! _Did_ you see that horrid creature with Miss Graystone?
It must be her mother. I declare, if I had have known she had such low
relations, I never would have engaged her."
"Gracia, hush! I entreat you, Miss Graystone will overhear you."
If Clemence's face crimsoned at the words, the one beside her became
absolutely livid with rage. Mrs. Bailey had once been a beauty, and the
black eyes that now glowed with baleful fire, had, in years gone by,
glanced languishingly upon scores of admiring swains. But there was now
nothing left of fortune, fair looks, or friends, but a bitter memory
that rankled in the woman's heart. Realizing that her own youth had
flown, she hated all that was young, and lovely, and pure, as a reproach
to her mis-spent life. She was a keen observer of people, too, in her
strange way, and had read upon the ingenuous face before her, the
momentary temptation to shun her unwelcome society.
The delicacy of Clemence's manner, instead of arousing her gratitude,
had the effect which it sometimes has upon people who realize their own
inferiority, and she resolved to wound her where she guessed a young
girl's feelings were peculiarly sensitive.
Ignoring the remarks which she had heard Mrs. Vaughn making upon her own
appearance, she turned and gazed over her shoulder, as the pair ascended
the steps and entered the door, through which Clemence had but just
passed.
"Why, they're goin' into the same house you came out of, Miss Graystone!
Who be they, now?"
Clemence informed her that the lady was Mrs. Vaughn, to whose children
she gave instruction, and the gentleman was Mr. Wilfred Vaughn, the
step-brother of her late husband.
"No, is it?" said Mrs. Bailey; "ain't he a handsome man?" studying the
girl's face closely.
Clemence agreed with her in thinking Mr. Vaughn a handsome and
distinguished looking gentleman.
"Is he married?" was the next question.
Clemence replied in the negative.
"Be you much acquainted with him?" queried her tormentor.
"But very little," was the laconic reply.
"Well, let me give you a little advice, young lady," said Mrs. Bailey,
after a disagreeable silence of some minutes. "I have seen more of the
world than you have, and think it is my duty to warn you of your danger.
Don't have too much to say to this fine gentleman. Nothing is so
becoming to a young woman as modesty." (It was truly wonderful how Mrs.
Bailey had come to learn in her old age, that of which she had seemed
deplorably ignorant in her youth, and valued modesty the more as she had
less occasion to call it into requisition.) "Men of his wealth and
social position never want any good of poor girls like you; that is why
I wish to warn you, for I think you are a good, deserving sort of a
person, that means well, and if you profit by my instructions, you will
avoid a lifetime of misery. Don't let any foolish idea of securing a
rich husband, enter your head. Submit patiently to the poverty that must
always be your portion. Be industrious, sober and discreet, and I dare
say, you may find some honest young man, bye-and-bye, who will want such
a wife to help him turn an honest penny, and lay up something for a
rainy day. Not that I think there is the least danger, unless you are
forward enough to put yourself in this gentleman's way, because men
think so much of beauty, that plain girls like you are most always apt
to be overlooked, but my conscience would reprove me if I did not warn
you. Remember my advice! Listen to no flatteries; permit no nonsense to
be poured into your ears, and shun, as you would contagion, the
deceitful wiles of man."
She waved her hand majestically to Clemence, and disappeared up the dark
staircase, for they had, by this time, reached home.
Hardly knowing whether to laugh or cry, the young girl went in search of
her mother and kind Mrs. Mann, to confide her troubles, feeling sure of
their cordial sympathy.
It is just possible that there was the least perceptible haughtiness in
the calm "good morning," with which Clemence next met Mr. Vaughn. In
spite of the remembrance of his many cordial kindnesses, the malicious
insinuations of Mrs. Bailey had produced an impression on her mind,
which she could not disregard.
"It is too true, she thought, bitterly. Alas! for the unprotected and
helpless of my sex, men of wealth and position rarely offer an honorable
suit to women of a lower standing in society. I will have as little as
possible to say to this fine gentleman."
* * * * *
But that was more easily said than done. It seemed almost impossible to
avoid him. And it happened on one occasion that the languid lady of the
mansion, (who should have been the one most interested in the progress
of Clemence's little pupils, but who really seemed, at times, to have
even forgotten their existence,) entered the school-room somewhat
unexpectedly, and saw what aroused a new train of thought in her mind,
and made her resolve quietly to keep a close watch upon Miss Graystone's
movements in future, if not dispense with her services altogether. The
lessons were ended, the books put away for the day, and the two girls
were looking with bright, eager eyes into the kind face of Mr. Wilfred
Vaughn, who was relating a marvellous story of such absorbing interest,
that the elder of the children, a dark-eyed girl, who inherited somewhat
of her mother's beauty and wilfulness, had insisted that her pet teacher
should stay and hear. There was a moment of embarrassed silence, as Mrs.
Vaughn appeared in the doorway, but the gentleman rose to offer her a
chair, without appearing to notice the astonishment depicted in her
countenance, or the half repressed sneer in the careless--
* * * * *
"What! _you_ here, Will? Rather a new occupation, is it not? You were
not so fond of visiting the school-room when poor Miss Smith was its
presiding genius. I am glad to find that Miss Graystone meets with your
approval."
"The children certainly are doing well," he responded, "Alice
especially; but, I am afraid Miss Graystone is applying herself too
closely to the work of improvement. You must see to it, Gracia, for you
could illy afford to lose so valuable a prize."
Clemence's face crimsoned at this personality, and an angry gleam shot
from his sister-in-law's eyes, that amused the gentleman not a little.
He understood her thoroughly, or thought he did, and knew the look boded
no good for Clemence. But he was hardly prepared for the shock, when a
day or two after, little Alice came to him with her face bathed in
tears, and throwing herself into his arms, exclaimed, amid her sobs--
"Oh, uncle, Miss Graystone has gone away, and is not coming back any
more, for mamma says so! She called her an artful piece, and said she
was trying to captivate you with her pretty face. What is captivate,
uncle? Is it anything so very dreadful? I know it ain't to be cross and
push me away, as mamma does, for Miss Graystone never did that, but only
loved me, and told me nice stories. I don't believe she tries to
captivate half so much as mamma does herself."
There were more tears and lamentations, and from amidst the disjointed
medley, Wilfred Vaughn learned that a great wrong had been done a
beautiful and innocent girl, and he had been the unconscious cause. He
sat buried in thought long after the twilight shadows had gathered and
deepened around him. The artless questions of Alice had startled him
into a knowledge of his own true position, and he knew now that he loved
this sweet-faced young girl who was yet almost a stranger to him. He
knew but little of her former life or antecedents, yet he would have
staked worlds on her truth and honor. He had not before dreamed of the
possibility, but now the conviction fastened upon him that this was his
fate. He knew in that hour of self-communion that the love of Clemence
Graystone was necessary to his happiness, and he made one firm resolve
to win her for his own.
"Alice tells me that you have dismissed Miss Graystone?" he said
inquiringly to his sister-in-law, a few days after. "I was surprised to
hear it. I thought you well pleased with her."
"You will be still more surprised," replied the lady, "when I tell you
the cause of her dismissal. I have been imposed upon by the girl too
long already, but nobody would have dreamed, from her meek ways, that
she was anything but perfection. I did not intend to trouble you with
the affair, which is the reason of my not asking your advice before
acting so much against my own inclination. I would not have believed
anything of Miss Graystone from a third party, for I know she is an
orphan and friendless, and I do try and be charitable towards all poor
and worthy persons. And then too, Will, you know how I have been
bothered about a teacher, and she suited the place so well, I think it
was positively ungrateful in her to act as she did."
This last remark was uttered with a pretty affectation of impatience,
and a pout of the rich, red lips, and Wilfred Vaughn, listening, forgot
for the moment his interest in the young teacher, so lost was he in
admiration of the beautiful face before him.
"But, what did you =find= out?" he said, again returning to the subject.
"Read this, and you will see that she has condemned herself," she
answered, handing him a letter, "and thank me for preserving you from
the snare that was laid from your unwary footsteps."
It was written in a delicate lady's hand, and ran as follows:
"DEAR KARL:--I have only a moment in which to reply to your letter
of the 3d, but will write you more at length at some further date.
I am teaching in the family of a wealthy lady, until fate throws
something more agreeable in my way. This is all that keeps me from
despair.
"My _own_! what would I not give to see you? Oh, this fearful curse
of poverty! I must find some means of escape from my difficulties,
or go _mad_. I cannot live without you. I have planned a thousand
impossible schemes, which I have been obliged to abandon as
unavailing.
"Meanwhile, I am not idle. There is a rich bachelor, who resides in
the house where I am employed. I have made some progress towards an
acquaintance, and am beginning to entertain the hope that I have
made an impression. Money is all that stands in the way of our
happiness. I would dare anything to possess it. If I could once
establish a claim to a portion of his vast wealth, do you not see
that there are other lands where we might enjoy it together, and
our life be one long dream of happiness?
"Write to me, for I am unhappy.
"Your loving CLEMENCE."
"Where did you get this?" he asked, briefly, after having completed its
perusal.
"I found it where it had been carelessly dropped on the floor of the
school-room," was the response.
"Was she aware of the occasion of her abrupt dismissal?" was the next
question.
"No," sighed the lady. "I could not bring myself to hurt her feelings,
deeply as I felt I had been wronged, so I left word for her that I
intended to make some change in the girls' studies, and thought of
placing them under the care of masters. It is extremely fortunate that I
discovered her real character in time, is it not, Will?"
"Yes, extremely fortunate," he echoed absently, with a look of pain in
his face that did not escape the eager eyes that scanned it searchingly.
"That was a clever little plot of mine," she soliloquized, an hour
later. "I did not dream the foolish fellow was so interested. How came I
to be so careless? That is the last governess who will ever enter these
doors. I will send the children away, for I hate to be bothered with
them, and it would be a great relief to have them out of my sight. I
will make speedy arrangements to that effect. Of course nothing further
will be heard of this girl. Men are proverbially inconstant, and Wilfred
will soon forget all about this Miss Graystone. It was but a passing
fancy, and I have taken the wisest course to get rid of her. I dare say
she will get along well enough, and marry somebody in her own sphere in
life. She _was_ pretty and dignified with that reserved manner, and the
clear eyes under the broad, full brow. But she had horridly low
relations, and as I know, from sad experience, self-preservation is the
first instinct of humanity. Gracia Vaughn, you must not forget the old
days of poverty, and toil, and vexation over the piano in Madame Fay's
back parlor, where you were an under-paid music teacher! Be careful
that an unwary step does not precipitate you again into the depths from
which Cecil Vaughn rescued you! That would be misery, indeed, after
these long years of luxurious idleness. It shall never be."