The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1878-10-12

, IeU utterly llhpOSSlDIc Tor us 10 90 SO--lptll
, our faithful servant for the last fifteen ycaI
would look upon her in the light Of an tnto
) lopcr and treat her as such, Betty had bee
used to being monarch of all She surveyed
! Even in houSc-clcaning timcs-tho-c tint
that try mems souls and women's solcs-sl
Scorned the idea of an assistant
NO, maam, I'll have no strangers pokil
roun me- When I'm not able to do the wor
OF this house alone, I'll g."
And mothcr-dcar, shrinking, gricfstric
mothcr-how would she bear the advent of tn
dainty Miss Ashbcllg But We could do notl
ing to avert the impending misfortune, Eve
II we had thought OF diSobcying our father
last command, and refusing aunt the favor sh
had not asked, but, IN her usual decisive way
taken tor granted, the young lady was on he
way, and would be here in day or two.
The news must be Immediately broken t
mother and Betty. /, being the hOusekecpol
undertook 10 face the latter. confess dl
it with fear and trembling. She heard N
grimly, never ceaslng to pare the potatoes sh
held in her lap, and when had ended locke,
up with Il sharp nod of her head, and said
slowly and emphatically, "Betty'll have to g
now, sure. SHE can't stand no fine young Ia
dies and sassy young bridesmaids about 10
nothin'"
Helen went to mother put her arms abou
her neck, and with % kiss and smile told he
Of the expected visitor adding, with an rs
sumption of gayety: "She shan't come nea
you at all, mamma dear, if you dont want her
but you know aunt has been so kind 10 Us, anC
father loved her so dearly, it would be impos
sible to refuse the first favor she over asked u
US"
Mother said never word, but began brush
ing the hair back from her temples with both
hands in nervous way she had when any
thing grievcd or annoyed her.
And then We began preparing for Miss Ash
bell. Wits room was to be given up to her,
and Will CAROLS room was scarcely large
enough for himself and his art-traps, rs he
called them was to be slowed away in the loft
"A proceeding which he viewed with immense
"I'll smother up there in hot
weather" he said, with a wry face. "Oh, |
wish there wasn't any Miss Ashbell. Why
don't she 90 tC a hOtel?"
why don't shes" echoed |.
said We began to prepare for her, but for
lack of the aforementioned silver and gold,
our preparations were Of the simplest kind.
Carroll made and put up two pretty brackets,
md hung, with u sigh-for he hated to part
with thcm-the few pictures he possessed on
tue walls. | looped back the white curtains
freshly washed and irOncd, with much yrum-
bling, by Betty with new blue ribbons, and |
covered the trunk ottoman with bright ChintZ
md with Iecns help made new mat to
place before the bureau, and we turned an old
abc.c,oth into napkins, and bought a new
and two or three cut-glass goblets
and lovely china cup and saucer, and when
Ill was done waited with anxious hearts for
,ur unwecOmc guest.
Mother had shut herself up in her room ear.
y IN the morning of the day We expected her
md had renamed there; and the rest of us
we're all as uncomfortable as poor, proud, shy
cnsitiyc people could be at the thought of Il
perfect strangers ingress into the very heart
# their home, and wishing audibly and in.
Iudibly that Miss Ashbel's father had never
brought her from England, when, as the sun
ank in the west, and n cool summer breeze,
fragrant with the breath of the roses, lifted the
curtains of our coy bay-window, a carriage
topped at our door.
She's come and I'm zone" SAID Will, fling
ne down his book and rushing out into the
.arden.
Carol rose from his chair ran uis fingers
through his golden hair and glanced in the
mirror at his new blue silk ncck-tie Helen
ank back on the lounge with u sort of groan :;
nd opened the parlor door as Betty went
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ne ne. GHilo Vaihc forward anu hoidlhs out
CT ll'Iic mint Sai',' WIN Fretty ulaWl,