The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1877-04-09
OUR SHABBY, ,GENTEEL BOARDER.


she is anxious toopen a boarding-house,
but lacks capital. Please make arrange
ments tor her TO take immediate pos
session OF my great, empty house on
Thirty filth street, and tell her to fill 1t
with boarders from cellar to attic.
should like her to keep my room ready
for me in case l return, and ask her to
pile in there such articles as are valuable
from association-she will know what TO
select. l write to her by this mail, but
as she is very delicate about accepting
favors, trust to you to see that she
needs nothing till my return. AS the
house is fully furnished, she will only
need fuel aud provisions to open it at
Once.n
1t was this paragraph and the letter
mentioned as accompanying it that put
Mrs. Delisle in possession of the splen-
did brown-stone house, superbiy fur
nished, that was a portion of the estate
of Henry Whitney, ner sisters son. He
mad been in Europe travelling for five
years, when the news reached nim OF his
aunps widowhood and poverty, and he
lost not moment in stretching a help
ing hand, even across the ocean.
The old lawyer, to whom the letter
quoted above was written, understood
perfectly the wishes of his generous
young client, and Mrs. Delisle after
wards declared, obeyed orders by turn
ing an entire coal yard into her cellar,
and one grocery sGore at least into large
pantrles.
Being we'll known, and offering such
such desirable accommo odations, the
widow had no difficulty in filling every
room in the large house, at handsome
prices, always reservlng the one her
nephew had occupied before leaving New
YORK, aud this one it was her pride and
ner pleasure to keep in dainty order,
while she hoped for its owners return.
Her first application for rooms came
from wealthy widower, who wished Tor
three rooms, for himself, daughter ana
niece. He gave his name as Jonn
Gregory, and his references were good.
Mrs. Delisle found he was q purse-proud,
uneducated man, a petty tyrant, fault
finding and bad tempered, but willing
to pay handsomely. HIS only child,
Isabel, was afemlnine copy other father,
a superbly handsome brunette, fond OF
dress and display, ana pGruenae 70 her
fingers ends.
But the niece, Sadie Gregory, a
brown-haired, brown-eyed girl Of nine
teen, still mourning the death OF botn
parents, was gentle and refined, ana
While far less beautiful than her cousin,
had winsome sweetness all her own.
Mrs, Delisle's heart opened to the girl
at once. Two fair daughters other own
Law under the church-yard sod, and the
spripg of mother-love once touched
could never quite close again in such a
nature as hers. Even alter her house
was full, and there were other women
old and young TO claim her attention,
she always found come spare moments
IN every day to give to Sadie.
Early in October, when Mrs. Delisle
had been six months in possession OF
her nephew's house, Mr.. Gregory sent
for her, IN mighty wrath.
II understood," he said, loftily, "that
this W as a tirst-class boarding-house"
Mrs. Delisle merely bent her head
with an air OF quiet dignity.
"a tirst-class clearinghouse" re-
heated Mr.. Gregory, swelling visibly,
"and yet Miss Isabel Gregory, my
daughter, has to occupy seat beside a
man who is, l understand, a clerk, and
whose clothes are but one degree above
positive shabbiness."
"You refer to Mr.. WorthW
81 do, madam. II this Is to be home
for heggarly clerks, we will Leave"
"Mr. Worth is a gentleman" was the
quiet reply; ''his references were unex-
and he is related to some
OF the leading people. Still, il you de-
sire it, will remove his seat to the 9TH
er side Of the table,"
II do request it, and since accidents
are always to be guarded against, l
also request that MIR. Worth will not
cousider the fact OF our occupying the
same house in any way an introduction
to our acquaintance"
avery we'll, SIR"
Then Mrs. Delisle left the room, and
straightway proceeded to a small sit
tlng-room next the drawing-room, where
MIR. Worth, handsome man, with
heavy brown beard and large, ex-
pressive eyes, was playing brilliant
fantasie upon the piano, while Sadie
Gregory, nestled in a deep armchair,
listened attentiVely.
Very gravely Mrs. Delisle repeated
the insulting message and request of
the autocrat, and very gravely Mi. Worth
listened.
But Sadie, springing to her feet, crim-
soned with modification and anger, and
the little hand that rested upon the
back of the armchair trembled with ex-
element.
"It is perhaps better for me to leave
you,v MIR. Worth said, while from under
The humbly dropped eye-lashes he stole
a look at the young girl beside him.
sIt may be-" said Mrs. Delisle quietly,
"that Mr.. Gregory will be satisfied With
moving your seat. But, If not, you must
not think hard of me, Mr.. Worth, if /
make some sacrifice to keep my best
paying boarders."
1CeTtainly not! The little pay for
hall room upon The upper floor can make
no material difference in your income.
Still, il it can be arranged, should like
to remain here"
He bowed gravely still as he spoke
and left the room. But Sadie, alter the
door closed, dropped upon her knees be-
side the arm. chair and broke into pas
sionate tears.
"Sadie, dear child" Mrs. Delisle said
kindly, "what troubles youW
1t was long before the answer came,
but the tears were spent at last, and the
girl stood up.
81 am ashamed to bear the same
name," she said impetuously, ito be OF
the same blood, as that OIL my uncle and
cousin. The bitter humiliation Of hear
ing such insults offered gentleman,
brushes me-"
"Sadiel childw
"You think am unmaidenly to take
up his cause" said the girl quickly,
"but you are wrong. 1t is not only be-
cause l know how immeasurably he is