Connecticut western news., 1875-08-06
OUR PARLOR BOARDER.


 solemnly, addressing the inmates of Remington female seminary at the close of their midday meal, "you will now re- tire to your rooms for an hours study, after which you may enjoy the half-holi- day usual upon Wednesdays. !"
 Then Miss Scrimper bowed to the file her left, and withdrew her majestic pres ence from the scene. -.. -
 t' say, Bess," said Helen Ransom, the parlor boarder, mysteriously, to me, as we encountered her on our way across the hall, 'syou and Annie come to my room after study hour, will you2" Now our parlor boarder was whole romance in herself, and the distinction of an invitation to her private apartment was about as exciting an event to us other members of the seminary as & commar to visit the queen would be to the ordinary Englishman.
 The reports that were current among the girls about Helen Ransom were as numerous and, contradictory as those usually circulated about distinguished individuals. One said that she was the ward of an ill-tempered uncle, who was determined to keep her at school until his own ugly daughters were married and out of the way j; another, that she was placed under Miss Scrimper's care to keep her out of the way of design ing young relative who was trying to get possession of her fortune and herself {; another, that she had once tried to elope with this same young gentleman, but the attempt was frustrated by stern papa. who had caught her in the act of de- scending from third-story window by means of rope ladder, after which he placed her under the charge of Miss Scrimper, with orders that the strictest surveillance was to be exercised.
 All agreed, however, that there was 8 lover, and this fact at once made our parlor boarder an object of admiration and reverence to every member of Rem ington female seminary. "Now, girls, :" remarked this heroine of mystery and romance, as Annie and I made our appearance, according to ap- pointment, "it is too hot to go out Let's have some lemonade "Gloriousl"
 p-hip-hurrah p chorused"' Annie, while Helen produced a asupp'y y of lemons and sugar bowl from the depths of the closet.
 Suppose we get caught9"
 "We won't.
 "What about ice9'
 eff we could only get hold of Brid- get!" ..,,.' =.
 At this moment there is knock at the door.
 "Who's there9"
 "Me, num-" It is Bridget's dulcet voice that answers. 0'..-
 "Now, girls" said Helen, " isn't that convincing proof of the theory that there is 9 possibility of magnetic communica- tion between distant souls Bridget knew l wanted her, and she came."
 "What have you got, Bridget ?" " A nosegay, num-"
 Where did you get the flowers, Bridget9"
 "Picked thim in the tin-acre lot, by the ould three."
 "Oh, wicked, deceitful, mendacious, intriguing Bridget Moss roses in the middle of ten. acre lot 1"
 " think there's more ov thim there" |" suggests this innocent Irish maiden, who attends to the chores at Remington female seminary. | The helress starts, and repeats, dream fly: "And the lily whispers, wait. , Girls, we won't have any lemonade. The corners of Annie's mouth drop, so do mine. "Well go to the ten acre lot. !"
 It's out of bounds"
 "Never mind. We can get off with out being seen."
 The heiress's command is law. We are so fattered by her desire for our so- ciety that we are equal to anything in the way of breaking rules. Miss Scrim- per is taking her midday nap. Inno. cent, unsuspicious Miss Scrimper, while the wickedest of plots is being laid against her peace, and her reputation as a worthy and responsible guardian of tender youth on the point of destruction, she is placidly sleeping. Under the old oak tree, where moss roses either do or don't grow, according as you place your trust in Bridget or the botanies, are two young men. Annie and are amazed, but Helen is as calm and self possessed as 1t becomes young lady to be who is a parlor boarder and has been in society.
 :" Is 1t the lover, do you suppose 2" whispers Annie. But when we are in troduced to MT. George Dacre, Helen's distant cousin, and his friend, young gentleman in a white cravat, then we know that we are in the presence of the hero of the romance, and our ecstasy is beyond description. ;.
 "Wont you sit down, young ladies 2" suggests the latter gentleman, stretching himself at full length on the grass, and offering me bunch of field daisies.
 Soon Annie and are engaged in an animated discussion about flowers with the owner of the white crRYat, while