Juniata Sentinel And Republican

Not to be Taught.

Two men sat in conversation. The cooling wind played gently with the short brown curls of the younger, while his handsome face and eyes were lighted with a bright, animated expression. "I can scarcely credit such good fortune. Are you sure there is no mistake?" he said.

"Perfectly: here are the documents. Prove your identity: prove to our satisfaction that you are Ralph Hamilton, son of John Paul Hamilton, and you are a rich man. Can you prove it?"

"I can, immediately. But this is indeed a welcome change, to spring from deep poverty to such wealth in a moment, by the death of an unknown relative, seems almost incredible. I am grateful to you, Metcalf, for your pains in so seeking me: also for your interest in my welfare. I have one favor only to ask in addition, that you remain silent about it. The fact of my changed circumstances need not be made known as yet. I shall not alter my style of living for awhile, but shall fulfil an engagement to become the private tutor of two small boys, residing, strange to relate, in the same place where lies this new estate. In taking the property, you say, I am required to assume the name of its former owner. This I will do, after a few months spent in the neighborhood as a poor teacher. I have met sad rebuffs during the days of my poverty, and have no idea of being made the victim of some fortune-hunter, so I will win some good woman for love's sake and then settle down and enjoy myself."

In a beautiful residence sat two ladies. Mrs. Corsair and her daughter Zoe, while a third, a niece of the elder lady, Blanche Gilmore, stood with a light hat in her hand, as though just returned from a walk. They were discussing the appearance of a new tutor who had undertaken for a time, on trial, the education of the two sons of the family. Charlie, one of these boys, had just appeared, and looking from the window, whispered:

"Now, girls, there he comes. Tell me if what I said was not true."

"Yes, indeed!" exclaimed both young ladies as they surveyed the fine figure and handsome face approaching, and when the young man smiled pleasantly upon Charles, Blanche thought she had never seen so handsome a man, while Zoe whispered:

"If the young heir of the Belmont property proves one-half as handsome, I will be content."

A splendid estate with a residence of almost royal magnificence, lay within sight of their pretty home, and had just, through the death of old Mr. Belmont, a childless widower, passed into the hands of a young relative, expected soon to visit the premises. Zoe Corsair and her prudent mother had decided to appropriate both owner and estate as soon as possible after his arrival. The new tutor, Mr. Hamilton, soon became a great favorite with his pupils. Living as he did in the family, he soon became well acquainted with all, while he evidently admired the beautiful Zoe, who treated him with cool politeness. Of Blanche he saw little. She was only the poor relation, depending upon her uncle for support, therefore compelled to bear every imposition and caprice her worldly, selfish aunt and cousin saw fit to inflict. One little enjoyment was hers: a solitary spot, a deep ravine, wildly romantic and secluded, not far from her uncle's residence. Thither she went, one beautiful afternoon about the first of October, tripping along down the small winding path that led to the depth below. But suddenly she paused, a groan and a faint cry for help arrested her footsteps. Hastening to the spot where she judged the sufferer to be, she saw a man lying at the foot of the ravine, motionless and now quite still.

In a few moments she was beside him, and, on lifting his head from the ground, she found Mr. Hamilton, the tutor, unconscious.

Running to the stream of water, she dipped her handkerchief and bathed his brow.

At last he opened his eyes, and gazed long and vacantly upon her.

"Ah, yes. I remember. I did fall. I leaned over to pluck a flower, and lost my balance. I feel better again, thanks to you for your care, and I will see if I cannot rise."

"Lean on me, Mr. Hamilton. I think I can get you up the path, if it is steep, to the road, and from thence, after a rest, home."

Slowly, yet surely, leaning on the young girl for that support he was so accustomed to give to others, he crept along, often stopping to rest, until at last the level road was gained, and from there to his own room, to which a physician was soon summoned, and his limb set and bruises attended to.

Lying thus helpless upon his bed, the door partly open to allow a circulation of air, the young man lay half dozing, when he accidentally heard the following conversation, not, of course, intended for his ears:

"A pretty piece of work this," said Mrs. Corsair, who was an intensely selfish woman. "Who is to play nurse now, I would like to know?"

"And to a miserable tutor," interrupted the equally selfish Zoe.

"I should be very glad to take charge of the poor young man, alone among strangers, and sick," said Blanche, "and if aunt is willing, I will devote my time to him."

"And neglect the sewing? There is my wrapper not finished yet."

"Do not fear, aunt," returned the same sweet voice. "I will finish that also. I can take my sewing to his room and attend to both: if not able to sew when he is awake, I will do it at night when he sleeps."

"Very well, do as you please; but remember that wrapper must be finished."

"Come mother, don't bother about him any longer. The carriage waits to take us to the concert. Come on."

So saying, the unfeeling Zoe swept down stairs followed by her mother.

while a soft voice murmured at the invalid's side:

"You are not sleeping, I see. What shall I do for your relief?"

"I feel quite comfortable, thank you: except a headache, caused by the sudden jar."

"Let me bathe it then.
How soft her fingers were: how gentle her touch, and what a depth of womanly pity beamed from those large brown eyes.

About two weeks after the accident, Blanche wandered once more to her favorite resort, and seating herself at the foot of the descent, she was soon lost in a deep reverie.

"This is really a charming spot, Miss Blanche," said a well-known voice behind her, "and I see, a favorite spot of yours. Now that I know how to avoid its dangers, I am also charmed with its deep repose and picturesque beauty."

"I am glad you like it," was the reply of the young lady, as she blushed slightly. "But yours is the only face I have ever seen when here, and I cannot but wonder how you discovered the spot."

"One of my little pupils told me of it, and that day when I fell was my first visit. Thankful am I that you were in the habit of coming here, else I might have died alone and unmissed."

"Alone, I grant, but not unmissed for your pupils love you."

"I would like to tell you, dear Miss Blanche how strongly I have become attached to my tender nurse, and how much I long for her to return my deep affection. Dearest, can you love a person occupying so humble a position as a private tutor? If you can, and if you will allow me to present my deep love, and consent to become my wife, it will be the delight of my life to strive to make you happy."

Then he drew her towards him, and their lips sealed the contract.

No opposition was offered when Mr. Hamilton asked the hand of Blanche Gilmore from her uncle, all thinking that the poor relative did well, even in marrying a tutor.

In the meantime, news came that the Belmont owner was soon to take possession of his property. One of his oddities was that on the evening of his return a large party of friends and select neighbors were invited to assemble to bid him welcome. This party, as it so happened was to take place the evening before the marriage of Blanche. Cards of invitation had been left at Mr. Corsair's: and, much to the surprise and chagrin of Miss Zoe, Blanche was also remembered.

"Just as if we wanted to introduce our poor relations," she said scornfully. "I wonder that the tutor was not included."

The evening came. The rooms were thronged; but singular to remark, the young owner had not yet made his appearance. The guests were received by his most intimate friends, Mr. and Mrs. Metcalf, and the latter, as soon as Blanche had been introduced, managed to draw her to one side, and in another moment Zoe wondered as she saw them leave the room together.

About half an hour later, after all the guests had assembled, Mr. Metcalf said:

"Ladies and gentlemen,—Mr. Belmont has just arrived, and in a few minutes will be pleased to meet you and introduce to all assembled the beautiful lady, who, to-morrow morning, will be his bride."

Scarcely had he finished speaking, when the young man entered the room, with Blanche hanging upon his arm, her face radiant with happiness.

"Our late tutor," exclaimed Mrs. Corsair.

"Impossible:" cried Zoe, sinking into a chair.

"It is quite true, madam," said the young man. "And now let me hope to see you at our wedding to-morrow."

All were present except Zoe, whose disappointment was too great to permit her to form one of the wedding party.