The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-12-10
STRANGER THAN FIG.
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CHAPTER I-(CoNTINuEp.) J

came nearer, thinking l wanted my pill
lows moved or the shawl wrapped closer
round me.
It is we'll mothers want no wages, on
some of us could never even begin to pay
them what we owel r.,
When she bent ever nae could not
speak; could only take her hand and
rub it against my cheek.
"Poor Nefl-poor girfp said the un-
selfish old soul softly. 'You wanted
something, did you not, dear?'
/ was 20, still 20 weak that could not
well speak for minute. I motioned her
back to her seat, and. after she had taken
the basin into her lap and a fresh hand
full of beans from the basket, / asked the
question wanted to put before.
''How are we going TO live, naotherY'
She looked susprised; then answered.:
Somehow, please God, Nell What you
have to do now is to get strong, and not
to trouble your head about money and
such like" .7.'f.'
If a man had come in then to rob or
wreck the place, could not have found
strength enough even to say him nay; so
I lay back in my chair and looked at the
flowers, and thought-ne, what I did
could scarcely be called thinking.
IF it is any comfort to you," said my
mother at last, with a bean in her hand
10 turn towards me, 1--WE have not want
ed for anything yet, and / don't think it
10 likely we shall. MIA Stannard came
down here and gave me FIVE sovereigns
with his own hand; they got up sub
seription among the men, and the gentry
were not behindhand either. Ben was
buried as I thought you would like him
10 be After fashion, no man could
been better seen to. I wanted to pay
DR.. Ranger; but he would pot take a
half-penny. He said you and Ben paid
him honest whibe you could pay, and he
was not going to charge you anything.
Beeftea has been sent from the Chace,
and there is not a farthing Of rent owing;
30 rest content, girl"
All, mother, mother! and YOU in your
bitterest. extremity had no subscription
--no man helped you--you paid your
doctor. And TO, what poor weak
creature / seemed!
Et might have been ten days after this
that we resumed the conversation. g.
She began it. ....
"Nenw t+,.N# "a
"Yes, mother"
was ever so much better.
You remember asking how we were
to live"
nodded assent.
'Do you think you are we'll enough to
to talk about that nowF'
Il think Sc. feel quite strong-that
is, am getting to feel stronger"
'T know, dear. Well, the way things
stand is this: l think l must try to
keep home together, and you take a
place." = .a....H rdE
ALI the blood in my body seemed to
drop back into my heart as she spoke.
You see, ladies and gentlemen, "home is
home, be it ever so homely," and I had
bved my home--not as much as I had
bved my husband, but very truly also.
Cant we manage anyhow / gasped
cut.
II am afraid not, DEAR" said my moth
er. "All the little money you had by
you,. all the little money had by me, is
gone. There is rent to pay, there are
four small children to keep. The family
is leaving the Chace, and the people who
are coming will keep q laundry-maid.
Then, though I am hearty now, / may
not be hearty for ever. While I have my
health we might manage; but when you
get strong l think we ought to look the
worst in the face
I could not say word. Indeed don't
think 1 had word to say.
"You see, Nell," went on nay mother,
II am willing to do all 1 can, and more
but if the work stops-and it is stopping,
for.the family at the Grange far more
than paid nay rent-what are we to do?
It is hard upon you, I know, girl;
still .
I put cut my hand and stopped her
saying any more. 0s.F.
Mother, it was only for minute. l
vail do whatever you think best"
ALI my Life / had done what she
Cll0uSut' UcSt, duu WAS HOt SOllIS, w
grieve her loving heart with objecting
now. '7
"Thafs my brave Nell" she said; and
she got up and kissed nae, which was
quite rare thing for mother to do.
MRS. Warford and I have been talking
matters over (Mrs. Warford was house
keeper at the Chace) sand she says what
you must do is toget to know whepe your
mistress is Living now, so that. you may
refer to her. OF course, AZ to character,
anybedy about here would speak to that;
but if you 60 az maid, it is not likely
that a lady would take you unless she
knew what you could, do. She thinks
Mrs. Hume's sister, Lady Poplett, wants
a maid, and she would speak for you."
My eyes travelled round the garden.
All, mel ah, mel .gsL.5fr -.
.h"I want to say something more to
you" went on my mother. '1t is Just
the same to me whether / keep on this
house or my own; which shall it be,
NellTe
There comes time when women are
,1ySooIReh. kIYt IL 10 ,,ovar fou,o rdo n OF