Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1881-01-13
Select Story.
HELEN'S LoDGER.
BY J. W.

1t was pleasant little place, story
and half high only, but spread out
over great deal Of ground, There
was big velvety lawn in front, with
half a dszen beech h-trees that had stood
there tor a hundred years-magnificen1
old trees as ever cast their shadows on
a Summers day. There was oldfash
ioned flowers, and an old fashioned
rope-swing, a we'll with veritable
mossy oaken bucket; there were plenty
of vegetables in the little kitchen
garden, eggs fresh every day, and all
the nAilk that was wanted.
1T is thessery place for you,' Laur,
hesketh said, with a happy, eager look
in her dark eyes.
And Mr.. Hartley smiled back at her
with that look man gives pretty
girl whom he admlres.
4 shall decide upon it. then. The
situation is good, the terms reasonable.
and the landlady ls-?'
Laura laughed, showing her pretty
dimple.
Z "a little, ugly o1d maid, but just as M
nice as she can be-
Mr.. Hartley affected horrifed scowl
and helped Miss Aesketh into the car
Ariage again.
"A very picturesque place, indeed,
am glad you spoke of it to me. | will
drive over again when Miss Cartwright
is at home, and make the necessary ar
rangements.
"a Which arrangements were that in
consideration OF four guineas week
Mn Hartley was to have Miss Cart
wright's two front rooms for himself
and his little motherless children. and
roonSin the attic for their nurse.
It wasa perfect Godsend to Helen
CartwrigM,the little, ugly old maid
that she wan and when she knelt be-
SIDE her bed Mat night, she offered her
thankful gladhess that Mr.. Hartley
had come to smepth her financial road
for her.
I For aslodger WIN paid, so literally
meant so much 70 Nelen, who, five
years ago had lost, irNone week, her
mother, and father ,andthc big, strong
\ brother, who had been sach tower of
strength tosthem all There had been
nothing leftto her but the homestead
where she had been born and always
Ii, I'd, and when people hadA advised
to sell it, and put Nhe money in the
bank fora raihy dayNshe indignantly
scorned such counsel y
Noslndeedl A faraer's daughter
ought ~ manage bit N ground as
web az farmers son. IN keep the
place, and in summer Iii taEs dodgers
and Larry O'Toole shall do my heavy
work for me-
She had trospered fairly untihthe
last year, 50 Ahat now, when Mr. Han
lev came, ig vas Godsend to her, anG
she wentabi ! her pretty, cosey little
house asArsnA as the aay was long.
IAN uab i5tisAold maid that was
what bonnY pitght Laura naCS called
her, and 1esfge Hartley caught nim-
self one watching her, as she went
aittingfrom place place, in her big
white apron and tucked-up sleeves,
and satins5fown hair braided beneath
a brown silk net, both his children
trotting after her.
Yes, she was plain, undenlably-and
Of all things. Mi. Hartley least admir-
ed plain little women; but she was
good and she succeeded in making
him thoroughly comfortable
Mr.. Hartley is delighted with his
quarters, Laura Hesketh SAID, one
bright morning, when she dropped in
aWoment; such a radiant vision, in
herpele-biue lawn and pale-pink rib
bons, mr. lovely face ahush, and her
eyes shining like stars
Helen waaA. mixing puffpaste for
lemon pie; lemoe, pie and rice pudding
was Mr.. Hartley favorite desert,
is that so,' Helen laughed, hol1ing
out one short, dimpled arm. inside the
avan tn fnst ito bnat tTh8x Il ,,loaco :, I