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E. "Will you come up, pleaae?" The words were spoken by a amrtll -pagtilray in the hall of the Hotel Me- troiwle, LoDiion. 1 felt decidedly nervous aa I follow- ed bim into the lift. Being ooly twen- ty at the time and left recently an orphan. I must hive looked rather piti- ful, dressed in deep moumingr, with pale cheeks and an anxiau3 expres- eioa. I was sbuwu into a private sitting- room, where a strange lady greeted me. She was dark, and small, with very bright eyes and almost unnaturally red liiiS. Her fingers were heavily Jewelled and felt cold to the touch. "Tou are Miss EdfeU. I suppose f â- he said, motionlns ma to a chair, "I have your letter here." Mrs. Mlcbaal took up a lilack-edged •hret as she spoke, and glanced at the •writing. •â- Yes." "Have you been out as a governess before ?" "No My mother only died a month sgu. and now 1 have to earn my own living." "Poor girl!" She fixed her keen, dark eyes upon lae us if reading mu through and through. "You don't look much of a blue stock- ing, but that does uot matter to me. You only wanted very youthful pupils, I understood, or I should not have plac- ed mystlt in communication with you. I hare one small boy, and he is very (ood, 1 can do anything with him. 1 tiave been trying to find a nice, pleas- ant young person who would be more •f a companion for Archie. I don't think children ought to be crammed with l«arning." A sigh of relief escaped me. I hud •o dreaded being questioned as to my capabllllio*. Never hurlng contemplated the role â- â€¢f governeaa. and with a natural anti- pathy to losson books. I felt like a â- us«iuerader as tbs lutasrview opened. Now I bmuthed mors freely, while hope roao in my heart. "Would you mind going abroad with ust You sets, though my husband is £aglisb. 1 am a Hussian. and we spend « good deal of our time at Petersburg." The idea charmed me. I told her I ba4 always longvd to travel. "I was a(rQ''<l I might have some dif- ficulty in getting an Kugli«h girl to occumpauy us just now. There has beeu so much talk lately about the dis- turbed state of Kussia. For myself, 1 never pay any beud to these commo- tions." I remember, though it is many, many yeai-s ago. the strange thrill of excitemsnt I felt at her wt>rda. 1 had inwardly rebelled against the deadly monotony and routine of my fate. Hero was a chance in a thousand, an opportunity of seeing the world, and esuaping from tbe old country, that hold only sud associations for me. "1 am not In tbe least frightened." I said. 1 fancied I detected a half smile flit over h«r face. "Perhaps you have not read the pupere lately siuce your trouble. It is •omnitimcs like that; people lose in- terest in outside things." I confessed I could think of nothing but plans for my uwu futuie, when tbe necessity for acliuu arose. "It's these secret societies," she ez- olaimed, 'that are a perfect terror to the country ! They have agents who murder everyone desirable to remove. What with the assassinations of state officers, and whole towns being set on fire " "Oh, yes, I know of that." X said, eager to disown my supposed ignorance. "iiut surely thiugs have quieted down by now." "To a oertaiu extent â€" because the people are continually bullied by the police and crushed by officials. Xbey can hardly bear the treatment, so rigorous has it become. Scarcely mouse can move In a hussiuu town to- day without a written permit. Out I must not drift on to the subject, or I •hall g«t carried away; aud ws lixia- •ians have to be very careful of our tongues." So saying, she talked about terms, and various duties in regard to Archie, which shall uot bo chronicled here. Suffice it to add, that when I left tb« hotel I was no longer a free agent, but engaged as Archie's governess, and partial companion to his foreign moth- er. It certainly seemed a delightful situ- ation, and as the bustle aud e.xcittmeut of foreign travel was entirely new to mv, I appreciated my good fortune ac- cordingly. We journeyed in most luxui ious fash- ion, Mr. and Mis. iUicbael, a cousin of his. Uarcourt Scott, myaeLf, and the •mall boy, an indepeudeut little fel- low, with bis mother's bright eyes. Mr. Scott was u man of about thirty, with a short poiutod beard, aud well moulded features. 1 liked bis kind, low voice, as he oouversed in the train. He told me stories of Russia, and kept Archie quiet when I grew sleepy and tired with talking. To u. girl who has never been fur- ther than Cornwall for a summer holi- 4ay. a journey of three or four days â- eoms an eternity. I felt as If my kind empioyeis and Sir. Scott were quite old friends by tJie time we re^Mlhed Pttersbnrg. "You must be glad to see your na- tive land again," 1 said to Mrs. Mich- ael. A queer look came in her dark eyes. "My husband has business here, " she replied. "1 nends must come. I have no love for this great city, though I w as born in it. All my people are dead, killed, frozen, by their country's cold heart. But it is a long story. My father did much for the state, yet re- ceived no gratitude or recompense. It is oft<-.n the case with great public benefactors. 1 despis" and hate in- gratitude, tbe crying sin of the age." Her words came sharply. she look- ed a woman capable of revenge. "How sad for you 1" I murmured. She smiled â€" a bitter flickering smile. I hud always heard her speak light- ly, aud the sudden change of tone sur- prised me. I felt there were depths in her character that a mere outsid- er like myself could never probe. Ki:om the tirst I had a vague suspicion of something queer, inexplicable, un- canny, about this woman. 1 often could not look her in the eyes with- out feeling ai/.zy. Their brightness dazzled me. Aixhie simply worshipped his mother, and would crawl into her arms, falling asleep while she crooned a little song. I had never seen him disobey her, through all tbe fatigued of the Journey, though he contradicted me flatly on several occasions, for which indiscretion Mr. Scott severely reprimanded him. As soon as we were settled in Peters- buri; I b g:in my daily task of instilling knowledge into my young charge. 'I'hr* ;7,«/*i^^^- VIEW FROM CASA BIAXCA, SAN JUAN, PORTO RICO. from which he seized a packet. I tried stated his bu-siness shortly in broken I ant of the languag*. and with my onlj woman friend tuxned to an enemy- I g!adlv accepted bis kindly esourt, tbs 'faithful senraot" fetched mr luggage^ and tx>gethsr we journeyed beck to saf- to interfere, but a second later th« English. miin had vanisht-d. i aii statement seemed to paralyze "He has stolen my biscuits, he mush Mrs. Michael liave been awfully hungry, " said Iho hou.:e. he tobl us. had fallen un- Archie. ^ (ler suspicion, aud he was in authority i er shores. "How dreodfuU" I cried. "Coma to search the premises and its inmates. If propriety is shocked at the oonolo home at once." ^.t first she indignantly denied any aion of my stoi-y, lam v*ry sorry. Per- I was shaking with fear, and hurried such authority, hut our alarming vbsit- I haps mv readers will be Intsrasted ts mto the more frequented thorough- or p..ilitely informed us he came from hear 1 am now Mrs. Harcourt Scott, fares, holding the boy tightly by ths the head of the police, quietly, in order i I sometimes meet my cousin Ver» wrist. [^ cause no scandal should their bus- ' Miohael in London, but we don't boir> , , â- *• number of grey-coated soldiers picionj prove unfoumled. He then pro- ~' ' lesson hours were short, and we spent, passed us, going for exercise in thtj duoed official papera, befure which the the best part of our day out walking. | Champ de iUrs. The sight of then» unfortunate woman blanched to a There was so much to amaze and in- j somewhat calmed my feelings, but. d«»athly hue. 1 .ihall never forget the rest me in this^magniuceut city on j stiU too frightened to walk. I hailed look of despemtion in her face, nor the ;* "drojki," Ruaaiaa cab, and drove bach) sudilen cunning ijorn of distraction, to the house. The driver, or "Iss whi^h ci-opt into her eyes. tbe banks of the Neva, the splendor of which all but took my breath away at timts. I noticed that Mrs. Michael hardly ever left the house, and wondered at such apathy in so young a woman. She talked seldom, and ber brow was per- petually fdrrowttd as if from thought, or somn hidden anxiety. Mr. Michael and his cousin were not often at home, so she consequently spent the greater part of her time in solitude. "Are you unwell T" I said one day. "No." she repUed quickly. "Why do you ask ?" "1 thought you were not quite your- self. Forgive me ; but yuu look pale, and very thin." "Perhaps 1 am bored, it is the wrong time of year for this place. You cannot imagine what a gay sight the river will be In a few months' time, with people skating and the sKi^hs. There are so many ways of amusing oneself then. The iceboats are grand, glori- ous fitted up with sails just like yachts uud the ii;e-hiil3 or tlyiug moun- tains make splendid going. We glide down them on sleighs at a tre- mendous puce, and tbe force carries us up another." I could see, as she talked, that her £>hu sidled nearer to me, as if seeking protection. I felt her clinging to my dreiss. whilei I watched the man rum- maging in her desk, turning outdraw- 'voach," as he is called, was a mer» bundle of la^s. "Why wouldn't you obey me, Arch-r le ?" I s;iid, as we rattled along. "I ^__^ can't bring you out again If you be- j ers "and private boxes, have like that." i _ . . The buy looked up at me with quiv- ering lips. "I don't know! I don't knowl" he said, and burst into tears. X put my arm round my refractory This is Barcourt's wish. LIMPING MAY BE THE FAD. We May L«oh r»r It â- â€¢ • Lealcal Ssoeeaaer of tk« AlrxMdrs Limp. IX fate shoold decide against tbe r^ covery of the Prince of Walesâ€" U hs remains to the end of his llfes cripple. Suddenly she i»dvancud a step for- , iame In one legâ€" Is It at all tposslbls ward, saying sumething to bim in Bus- that a complimentary but counterfeit limp will become the fashionaule fad He turned quickly, addressing ms in , . English harshly. amung his associates and thence spread . . . His demand seemed reasonable to the Huobs and anglomaniacs every- choi'ge, and drew him nearer. Some- ' enough, merely a requost that 1 would wherer how I felt sorry for the child. turn out my pockets. I ti, . • » When-we got in. I tola Mrs. Michael With the haste of innocence I pro- i ^^'^ <l<iesiions are not put in jeet. exactly what had happened. She puli ceeded to obey. They are asked in all i:sriousness. His- °^'.^''^" subject lightly. i x thought aa I felt my gown that 1 . toiy i>ho'.vs by an infinitude of examples bsurdest sort physical imper- ii vu« suojecc iigniiy. i x thought aa 1 felt my gown that 1 , toiy i>iiO'.vs by an infinitui "Some of these wretched moujiksare must have placed a copy-book of Arch- that fashions of the a Iways starving!" she said. "Ihey le's there. Pulling out the contentsâ€" v,„,. „. , , , ^ould do anything for foodâ€" even rob- something new to me-a plan drawn in ""* 'P"^""* 'â„¢ni '"" P' would bing a child. She did not soold Archie for his dis- ] ners, fell on the floor, obedience to me. but petted him more ; fhe m.^n seized It eagerly, while a than usual. She put him. to bed her- cry of righteous horror escaped Mrs. s.>lf that evening. kLiising him many Michael. times. ' '-jjo. you are the traitor â€" the spy '" Alter dinner. Mrs. Michael went to she exclalmsd turning to me with a her room to write lettersâ€" her hus-i look of withering scorn, it is through band w;is dining outâ€" so I found my-' you that an honest house tua fallen self left alone in the drawing-room into disrepute." with Mr. Scott. -Vs u.^ual, he drew me into conversa-| (or I saw tUruujii her triek plainly. thoughts 'were far away from the scenes i tion, Jisking me what I had done dur-i ' lo save herself -she had passed the dan- she was describing. | ing the day, and whether I was tiringi ger on to me I knew now why she "Is Archie in your roomi" 1 queried; | of Pctersliurg. I told him tbe incident dung abou red ink with queer signs at the cor- feciious of the gredt, whether they; "it is time we went out for a walk "Yes; I will fetch him. I'oor little fellow, he fell iislenp ou my sofa , he is such a sleepy child. " "It is rather unnatural,' I said; ""Ixiys of his agv <lon't, as a rule, get tired in the daytime." "Unnatural!' she said, fretfully. "Really Miss Kdgell. 1 wish you would uot SDiggest that Archie is different to other chlldien." I felt snubbed, and resorted to sil- ence ; but I noticed my ^upil seemed singularly dazed and stupid as l dress- ed bim for our walk. Before we started, Mrs. Michael join- ed us, carrying a little kuai>sack of Archi,-°s iu her bund, which she strap- ped over the boy's shoulder. "In case you should get hungry be- fore lunch, I've put up some biscuits for you. darling, ' she said, kissing bim. "But don't eat them till you turn to com-! buck, for it isn't very long since breakfiist." Then she added to me iu a whisper: "Don't let bim open it too soon, as I've put some sweets in for a surprise. You can't know your way, at>out yet. Miss Kdgell, but Archie is OS good us a guide. He has so many favorite walks, " With these words she watched us go. Hand iu hand we walked down the Nevskoi Praspekt, tbe finest street in the city, planted with great trees, and 130 feet broad â€" a street of enormous palaces, churches, government build- ings, and shops. My pupil led me along ,it a sharp pace. 1 wanted to pause and look at; clung about my dress before speaking o, the morning, watching his face rath- to the doloctive in Rusai;.u. er more shrewdly than usual. It grewj 'If jou will ooma with mo quietly," strangely anxious as I detailed the ad- gaid the man, shovuig a pair of hand- venture, cuffs, "I'll not use these." "'I'm very glad you told me." he! I shudderingly assented by a gesture aaid. "'very glad." ' „t my i^^^i^ already piotUi ing the bor- "\\ hyf I queried. "There was no- rors of Siberis.. My oioak and bat lay thing in it, after allâ€" a hungry moujik. on the sofa, just w here I had thrown aft4;r biscuits." them whan coming in on hour since. 1 "X'hJld," be said, addressing me for the first time in this famili.ar tons, "don't believe that; it was only Vora's .story. The thijig is not easy to ox- plain, but 1 U^\ as if soiu'-ihiing were brewing iu the air. I think it would be <as well if you went back to Eng- land."' 1 .«tared at hlni amazed. ""1â€" can't â€" go!"' 1 .stammered. "'If it is only a matteir of money," he urged, "let me h-lp you." I felt the odor rise to my face. "'Oh. no, no ! Why should 1 gof He paused before replying. The Trappings of Lite "I will siieuk plainly, and Heaven forgive ma if I am wronging my cou- .sln's wife. He. i<oor follow, is taken up with his own affairs ; he doe.s not were the result of birth or of hccident. Analogous cases to this suggested possibiliiy may ba found io the Prince's own family history. Tbe long trains which ware no popu- lar and BO offensive a feature of tbs fashions of the early seventies grew out 1 was too taken back to utter a word »' the fact that Queeu V'lotana. owing to a painful .^welling, had been obliged to «»ar bandages on her foot. Toooit- oeal the bandages she lengthened her â- ikirts. Her dutifu, aui^jects straight- way lengthened their skirts also, and in a literal sense they went through the struet.:i, carrying dost aud garuogf and potemial di.-«ase into parlors aod di'SAing rooms. JUiJ AI.KXANDRA LIMP. But the exact ansiogy is furnished by. ,, , , ,, the fad or faohiou whuh sprung up in put them on mechanioally, and followed ari.-iiocratiu- female oiroUs in 1B74, aqd was knuwu as the Alezauara limp. the man. A oab was waiting outside. Into which he bustled me, and we di>>ve away in the dsik together, IV that year the Princess ot Wales was aftlicLad with a lumen.'ss In una of her kuees. Uu.y a aligh. limp was ths result, but this limp was caught ap My esoort remained silent till the and imitated by the ladies of the court, driver pudled up ouuide a large bmld- undihenby all the tool women p2 ing which looked Ilka a hotel. 1 ben he Kiiirian.i .7. d ing bade me follow him [htxiu^bi a side door up a stairca.'ie. A moment Ithtar 1 found myself alone lucked into a cheerful room where a fire blazed, for it was already getting cold. 1 stood petrified, staring at the danc- ing flames, with the tn.nor of thisgreut calamity tumiue m.* faiut and sick. i:;ugland. U Ui an Albert Kdward limp be the fin de .-<ieole fuUower of the Alexandra limpf Hisiory is full of similar anecdotes. Alexander ;he Ureat hadaiwLit In his neck, it was therefore fa-hiuna'do for every one in ihat monarch's court to carry bis neck awry. One day hrancls 1. of France was siruck on the chin wi'h a piece of lile. To bide the re- Pre.-icnt!v the door opened againâ€" a „j. '-tbe'^!;^ :'.'..S'?ir::f?.'^T/m."7..;i^.^ suHam scar he allowed hi., beard His cositieis all know what these Russians '' re-the ; ^„-^ ,„^;j forward to greet my friend ""ow" m ,1, IT n ? T"". k^° women especially-when they chifeun- I ^„j ^^„^ll„r, Uarcourt Scott. He fxamnl., Th,?f iLl . '<>» ow«.d his der a grievance. ,\ era considers her , „^^ ^„,di ^^^ ^atal plan in hi.s hand t^^a, .f «r TJ '^"'" ^'"^ '5^" family have been wronged by the .stale; „_,, .,n,'in^ r«aj«au.rinfflv fashion, afer having been out for even to speak of this skeleton in her -You've liX^nar?ow oscai* " he "^'''^ aceniury. cupboard turns her livid with passion. ij ,.^„,i ,,,.^ .-auglit my lady wiih iii*"'^,?,!'!""' il^^' "»'''"'"'''' '"'V * P"'"" "' Spirits such as hers make for anarch- . j,^/^,^„ weapons 1 I'oor child don't ' ' ,r^",'T«"^ ""„'*"";? * '""» ^"^ ism. ;,,„,, „„ f„;„i\7..„„,i 1 ,K!„i, I k„.,. '" conceal them. R»j«ult. everybody I kok The verv word chilled my bloo*. i T.T.t i "^ ,l"!^^!^ITl' hL â- â-  ,, %r • t . . ' siLveU boto vou a>Qu. nor. •My suspicions nave been aroused i „what d<«s it all mean » think I have seriously of late," he continued; "but I h.ave .said uuthiug. What happened I asked bewildered. He diew a cboir iorward, into which the queer lights and shadows on the to-day confirms my suspicions. In;. ~i„ji, ^„i, Nikolayevaki Bridge, which joins the thU country any latters are liable to; f-TT /.,. hrinf words ho nxolained Ui« English quay to thd other shore. This 1 be opened by officials; nolliing secret ' |." * ;"'* """"^ words ho e.xplained the great bridjje is unique, being built of | can go safely through the post . 'Ihe j > ^ ^^.'^ed the ds.nger," he said, "and parsing of papers of importance be-! . comas ascience.and it looks as i£ Veral ., ermlned to st were carrying it to an unheard-of ex- I "",!''«•' '^j'"^°ff^ ,, , tent. She confessed to me once that'»^=«« ''»"• l*"^ Michaels bouse under she frequently mesmerises her child in their supervi.iioni. and pi-opose to raid granite, while the rest are only boats. .Vrcbie seemed to fear 1 was going in that diro,.lion, and tugged my arm. "'This way," he said, "this way; suob a pretty walk." I allowed myself to be guided couaequence of Mrs. Michael's adv but when eventually Archie turned in-i guided him to-day, aud Heaven knows , ,- , . , . ,• , â-  to a lovely ""piospekt," street, with a i what the supposed packet of biscuits P*l'«'f would p.-ol>ably be discovered in deadly dull outl^Jk, I grew uneasy and contained. '"Vera must have been in f^.'/T'^ ^''^ 'It f^-f-Tf* ,m°' protected. league with the man or she would have , '^^^ ' ^ ^''^« â- ^^'^"f â- "> ^^^J ^"^ **•?': •"1 don't want to walk here." I said j t^en furious at a stranger llayliiK '*"l I*'" f^'^VKT* n^ A''" ,'"' ""it isn t pleasant. W^e may lose our*; hands on her boy." |contedoiale with her allies. This plan sedves. " In order to have him entirely under her 't 'o-"'K,bt. mu."«*-"kng every corner ice; influence. Her will power doubtlessly ; ''â- "â- " '«"f '" '^^-mf nt. 1 guessed \ era m:iir..id«.l him to-dav ami TI««ven knowl ><>ti''' "^^e you her victiinâ€" that the else wore long coats. : The peruke Li said lo be due to 1 he mis- fortune ot Philip, Uuke of Beigundy. His h.air fell out, aud his physicians advised him to cover his head wiihurtl- flcial hair, which ho did, and ihuaset the fashion. u.u,«, «» »-uu. .nu ,^' "•" ''^"" "^ .S'^lnkllk which took ep U l»fore the auth fc,>" '^„'":',''"'"* °' ^"«'^' '' ^««- aed to know that the 'h!ir ? . t* T^'" '"V.l"'^«'» '«» their ."Jeep, and hastily rushmg out of their tunis arranged their lace ursvuts in Ihe uio>t careless manner. rhs French were vie ori.jus and to com- memorate thtiif victory it lieoamo ths fashion after this lo wear the neck cloth in a negligee manner. Menos the origin of the Steinkirk cravat. SIAULAR FADS. Duiing the reign of George in. his _ confederate with her allies. _ ^ _ _^ ^^ I "But' surely."' i gasped. "Mrs. Mich- i '" ""^"^ "'«^ *'^ '•*« I***"'* bad to find. ; Koyal Hittbue-sK The Uuke" of°Yo"rk' h'ad Archie was stubborn, and. regardless i ael wouldn't-" j /8'»y »'!â- ' ,^'^' '^ "* enough to send her a duel with Colonel Lennox and the of the reniiirk, stumped on. I "Don't trust her an inch," added the ; "^'*.°*'?*"^ . . , , ,. u- < , woi'i by colonel .suc.seded in shooting I grew angry, turning sharply round. I man ; "believe her to be thoroughly uii- I ,^'","f»VokeJie drt)ppe<l the thing Into ^ a^^ one of ibe Uuke's curls. Hence How dare you disobey me â€" didn't you hear what I said f lleally. Archie^ If you can't do what you ai-e told "' But before 1 could finish the sent- ence, he had slipped his hand out oQ minu, and hurried ahead, running aU a slow trot. I followed hastily, unaccountably) frightened; 1 knew not why. ""Will you stop, Archie!" I panted peremptorily. I was upon him, when a tall figurq In tbe ordinary dress of a Russian peao-t ant came between us. The costume is very simpleâ€" a hat without a brim, iit sheepskin ooat, and coarse, baggy) trousers tucked into large boots. But even in that moment I guessed he waa not a moujik. He was hardly dirty enough, and his beard waa not quits uncombed as the beards of these pea»< ants. He caught hold of Archie, lay^ ing one band on his shoulder and thrustioc the other into bis satcbeU scrupulousâ€" a woman who would not|'°'' heart of t ho great tire, watohingfit it Ijecomc the correct thing to wears spare a young girl like you. That is ; '''^'"n- .,.,,. .curl on ouo side of the temple only, why I idviso-no, I neg ni you to go." And _the man," I a.sked, " •whoarrest- When Imi.x,, the first of (Juakcrs. waa I shook my head. 1 think I nevorhdme*" : silting in cburob and the presohei said felt more brave more determined, than I ""*" '« ""J •>'<'• »J"> lail.hful servant. ; anything \v hub h- ciiln't like he moved at this moment. ,bles.shiml A fellow of strong courage, solemnly, put ou his hat and kept It "Whatever happens, I shall remain," I '<«='• and a oonsiunmate actor. I was on uniU the di.sagreeable lemarke I replied. "But I thank you for your fo'^^i to leave that part; of i he oiiatter concluded. Honce aro-e the Quaker entirely in his hands. He has gone ; custom of wearing bats in church l^a^k now, to Like a written explanation i from me to my (-ousin, who. 1 fancy, will bring his wife out of Russia im- mediately. She had done harm enough already." What I saiil, how I thanked him for warning, and only hope it may prove groundless." UI Somn day,s after this event, towards evening. I was seated alone with Mrs Michael. Archie had gonj to tea wilb'Wy deliverance, had liettar be left to, »om« small friends, accompanied by a j the reader's Imagination, for I cannot have light, leather soles. Ih maid. remember now whs.t words 1 u.'<ed. U ' We were quite by ourselves in the I is more than twenty years ago. houss. except for tbe servants. Una- "'You must own at last," be said. gine then, our aslonishinont when a perfect stranger was ushered into our presence â€" not a gentleman I When the door closed behind him. he smiling, "that l know best, ncd let hie take you back to England." What coald I dof I wsa -ttrandad s!one Ln R.ussia without money, igaor- FOR CANINK PKTS. Dogs belonging to some fashionabis wou»n are now made to wear shoes. These shoos are made of chnni i'<,and ICL of the Inventor was lo protect polished floors, but the women who have adopt- ed tbe shoes for their i>ets say they have done so to protect, not their floors, but the tender feet of iho dogs from cold, hoat and roogh weatbsc generall/, > *>