Litchfield enquirer., 1881-09-15

"ochs ID arrears Wltn her reduc6d board. No money had been forthcoming for some time, and she was growing more feeble daily, need ed the luxuries of an invalid and the attention of nurse, both of which Della bestowed upon her, without taking thought of the morrow. must hear from my man of business to- morrow, Della; I'm knee-deep in debt to you, " she began one night 4.s 39t.s l...ss.
 Don't mention it!'' cried Della. '1'd rather never see cent of it than have you take it to heart. You are welcome to stay and share potluck with us; you are such com pany for mother ana me. :" s.t, ,ss ..sx.o
 Thank you. my dear. I've grown as fond of you as if you were my ewn flesh and blood. There, turn down the light, please. Draw the curtain, dear, and put another stick on the Ire, please. It grows chilly. doesn't it. You might kiss me just once, if you wouldn't mind. It's hundred years or so since any one kissed me-" 54 s ..Es: fEs,i ii es .,..-+5.r
 And next morning when Della carried up Mrs. Clements breakfast, her boarCler lay cold and still upon the pillows. '''''@' <.''.
 The first shock over, Della wrote to the lawyer of whom she had heard Mrs. Clement speak as having charge of her affairs, begging him to notify that lady's relatives, if she had any. In reply MT. Willis wrotei ''The late Mrs. Clement appears to have DO near rela. tives. Some distant cousins, who have an abundance of this worlds goods, yet served her shabbily when she tested their generosity, as she has tried yours, are all that remains of her family. In the meantime enslose you copy of her last will and testament, to peruse at your leisure"
 ''What interest does he think take in Mrs. Clements will" thought Della; but she read, nevertheless:
 Being of sound mind, this 18th day of June, 1S-,I, Della Rogerson Clement, do hereby leave one hundred dollars to each of my cous- ins; and Dequeathe the residue of my prop erty-viz, thirty thousand dollars invested Tn the lngot Mining Company, fifty thousand dollars in United States bonds. twenty thou sand in the Fortune Flannel Mills and my jewels, to the beloved niece of my first hus- band, John Rogerson, Della Rogerson, of Croftsborough, Maine. ..... s>... For was a stranger, and ye took me in; hungry, and ye fed me; sick, and ye minis tered unto me-" aaS Ss5g..I Ei.a. . ta.
 "Goodness alive !" cried tEe neighbors, when the fact reached their ears. ''What profitable thing it is to take boarders! Every body in town will be trying it. Of course Steve Langdon will come and marry her. if she were forty old maids. You may stick pin in there !" ........., .....-.
 Della did not open her house to boarders the next season. She found enough to do in looking after her money and spending it; in replying to letters from indigent people, who seemed to increase alarmingly; in receiving old friends, who suddenly found time to re. member her existence. And sure enough among the rest, appeared Steve Laugdon, and all the village said, Il told you so."
 Its not my fault that you and I are single yet, Delia," he said. ar-0; -
 s'''And we are too old to think of it now, Steve" ..-.., .a Nonsense It's never too late to mend. Fin not rich, Della, but I've got enough for two and to spare" r41 - '-aa4t- stF ,
 '1 wouldn't be contented not to drive in my carriage and have servants under me now," laughed Della.
 'Indeedl Then perhaps you have better match in view. Captain Seymour asked me, Squire JOness interest"
 "Yes. Squire Jones proposed to me last week." a f-r s1.@'~ lsa.f
 'Now, see here, Della Have come all the Way from Melbourne on fools errand There was growing used to my misery and loneliness, when the mail brings in letter in strange hand, which tells me that my dear love, Della Rogerson. lnyee and dreams or me still, is poor and alone, and needs meme And the letter Is signed by her aunt, Mrs. Clement, who ought to know. packed my household goods and came.' ;,.-
 sI'm glad that you did"
 "ln order thatI may congratulate Squire Jones ?" -r--,.--
 But haven't accepted him. In fact I've refused him-because-"
 Because you will marry your old love, like the lass in the song, Della ?'' t.'.'
 In Croftsborough people are not yet tired of telling how woman made money by talk ing boarders. -Independent.