Iron County register., 1880-01-15
OUR PARLOR BOARDER.


;solemnly, addressing the inmates OF
Remington Female Seminary, at the
close Of their midday meal, "you will
now retire to your rooms for an hours
study, after which you may enjoy the
half-holiday, usual upon Wednesdays. -
Then Miss Scrimper bowed to the file
of maidens ranged upon her right and
on her left, and withdrew her majestic
presence from the scene. t
81 say, Bess,'' said Helen Ransom,
the parlor boarder, mysteriously, to me,
rs we encountered her on our way
across the hall, s'you and Annie come
to my room after study hour, will youp'.
Now, our parlor boarder was a whole
romance in herself, and the distinction
of an invitation to her private apart
ment was about as exciting an event to
us other members of the seminary as u
command to visit the Queen would be
to the ordinary Englishman.
10 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; another, that she
was placed under Miss Scrimper's care
to keep her cut of the way of "a design
ing young relative who was try
ing to get possession of her for
tune and herself; another, that she
had once tried to elope with this same
young gentleman, but the attempt was
frustrated by a stern papa, who had
caught her in the act of descending from
a, 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.
AL agreed, however, that there was
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
l made our appearance, according to
appointment, ait is too hot to go out
Let's have some lemonade.n
.sGlorious!''
:. Hip hip -hurrah!', chorused Annie,
while Helen produced a supply Of
lemons, sugar-bowl and a bottle of
champagne from the depths of the
closet.
q ''Suppose we get caught?"
e'We won't. "7
"What about icep''
"lf we could only get hold of Brid-
get!'' - q
At this moment there is knock at
the door.
"Who's therep''
.Me, num- 1t is Bridget's dulcet
voice that answers.
snow, girls" said Helen, "isn't
that convincing proof of the theory that
there is a possibility of magnetic COM
munication between distant souls!
Bridget knew l wanted her, and she
came"
What have you got, BridgetP''
"a noSegay, num-
"Wtere7 did you get the flowers,
Bridgetp''
. licked thim in the tin-acre lot, by
the ould three"
sob, wicked, deceitful, mendacious,
intriguing Bridget! Moss-roses in the
middle of ten-acre lot?''
AZ think there's more ov thin there, ~
suggests the innocent Irish maiden, who
attends to the chores at Remington Fe-
male Seminary.
The heiress starts, and repeats,
dreamily:
And the lily whispers, L wait.
Girls. i1oaioesasYl eaYai aiay lemonade: !.
q! 4; =. . me tshs'eF'
..sIt's out Of bounds y
s.Never mind. We can get off with
out being SEEM
The heiress's command is law. We
are so flattered by her desire for our So
ciety that we are equal to any thing in
the way of breaking rules. Miss Scrim-
per is taking her midday nap. limo
cent, unsuspicious Miss Scrimper, while
the$ wickcdest. Of plots is being laid
against her peace and her reputation as
n worthy and responsible guardian Of
tender youth on the point of destruc
ton, she is seplacidly sleeping. Under
the old oak-tree, where moss-rOses
either do or do not grow, according as
as you place your trust in Bridget or the
botanies, are two young men,. Annie
,~s and / are amazed, but Helen is as calm
and self possessed as it becomes young
lady to- be who Is q parlor boarter and
has been in society. i ii
:" Is it the lover, do you slppose?'
whispers Annie. But when we are in
troduced to MIR. George Dacre, Helen:
distant cousin, and his friend, q young
gentleman in 4rwhite cravat, then W,
know that we ;irc in the presence of tn,
hero Of the romance, and our ecstacy i
beyond description.
.Wen't fou sit down, young ladiesp'
suggests the latter gentleman, stretch
ing. himself at f5ll length on the grass
s-sA2d offering me q bunch of field daisies
IN Annie and I are engaged in al