The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-11-29
friendly, and he treated her with the
same brotherly frankness as Harry.

One lovely June morning he presented
himself at Mrs. Renshaw's at quite an
early hour, intending to invite the three
sisters to pass the beautiful summer day
in long country drive. He noticed
that there was some delay in answering
his ring, which was not usually the case
with Mrs. Renshaw's well-trained SER
wants; but at length he heard light
footstep, and in another moment the
door was opened by Violet. She had a
broom in her hand and a dust-cap COW
cred her bright curls; but she bade him
good morning with as much cordially as
usual, and invited him to enter, adding;
"Please walk into the dining-room, for
l am just sweeping the parlors." &c..
Secretly wondering, Tom obeyed. As
he turned the handle of the dining-room
door, there was sudden rush, hasty
bang of door, and hurried exclama-
ton of 20 Violet! how could you% and
he found himself in the presence of the
fair Adele, although for the moment he
scarcely recognized her in the slovenly
dressed girl, with disheveled hair, who
stood by the breakfast table dabbling the
cups and saucers in some greasy water,
and wiping them on a towel, which, to
say the least, was very far from being
spotlessly clean. She colored, and with
some confusion said:
"Ah, good morning, Mr.. Meredith. So
YOU have come to find us all at work this
morning. 1t happens that we have for
our three servants brother and two sis
ters. They received this morning the
news of theirmother's dangerous illness,
and mamma at once gave them all per-
mission to go home. We supposed we
could get woman who sometimes does
extra work for us, but she was engaged
for the day, so we are obliged to do the
} best we can ourselves. l assure you," she
} continued, with little laugh, which Tom
had often thought pretty and engaging
but which now sounded false and affected
"that 1 am by no means accustomed tc
such work, nor have any desire to be-
come So" ..l.... LA
"Can not you allow me to assist your
asked Tom, politely. 81 was brought uT
, on farm, and have often washed dishes
and made myself generally useful in the
, kitchen"
: "You!" exclaimed Adele, in such an
} astonished tone that Tom could not for
bear laughing.
eyes, certainly; why notT asked Tom
"Oh l don't know-only l thought
: you never did anything" stammered
| Jolo, +bop npdao vor;pu to oaa,n at aa GO
| she said, eyes, if you will help, please
take this teakettle into the kitchen ano
, set it on the stove."
, Tom seized the kettle, and, throwing
open the door leading to the kitchen, was
crossing the room toward the stove wher
: his progress was arrested by the sudden
appearance of Ida from store-room be-
5 yond. If Adele looked slovenly and
, disheyeled, what shall be said of Ida? Ar
: old dress, dirty and torn, slippers rur
down at the heel and burst out at the
7 sides, no collar or ruff1e, very little hair
r instead Of the magnificent tresses he haa
: so often admired, and what there wa
, hanging uncombed about her face, nj
, wonder that Tom started in blank aston
r ishment.
: A heavy frown took the place of tht
e usual smile, as she curtly babe him good
| morning. Tom muttered an apology fol
y his intrusion as he deposited his burde,
c on the stove, and turned to retrace hi
t steps lust as Violet entered the dining
It room She did not see him, but address
d ing Ida, said:
r, "Run away, now, Ida dear, and dress
r. before the callers come for you. / hay
d already sent Adele upstairs, and will fin
y ish the dishes, now that l have done m
sweeping"
u "You have been long enough about i
hope" muttered Ida, ungraciously, bu
d nevertheless availing herself of her sister
r offer with much clacrity. "Here are til
A. dish-towels, Violet" she said, extendin
De several greasy, blackened articles to tn
st young girl.
lg Tom had been meditating an escape
" not an easy affair, as the sisters stood d
at rectly in his path; but at the word dis
towels he involuntarily stopped an
n, glanced around. .--.--
ID 'No wonder my grandmother caution
ID me-" was his first Thought, as the SOLE
tie towel met his sight, and he hastily a.
US proved the look Of disgust which crosse
Violet's face as she laid them aside, an
ee opening a drawer, she took from it
n, splendid supply, soft, dry and clean.
ae Ida and Adele had both disappeare
and Tom yentured to renew his offer
" assistance to Violet. who started littl
IL as she for the first time noticed his pre-
s- ence. But she recovered her composu
n at once, and quietly answered, as 81
)" deftly filled the dish-pan with clean, h
suds: ....... ...
is "No, thank you, Mr.. Meredith.
in shall do very we'll without assistance. m
sisters have not much left for me to d
You had better walk into the parlor, ar
Ill they will soon join you" ..
d. "No, indeed" replied Tom. II vi
n take mygelf out Of the way, with apol
Ill gies for my untimely intrusion, unle
you will really let me be of some servic
of And believe me-" he added earnestl
y; with an admiring glance at the eneat lit
"A e u,.n &v,,r.,,n Enhflu ahny1f NJ