Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1881-02-01
MIsCEItANEo Us.
RELEN's LoDGER.
by J W.

Sc L was pleasant little place n story and
81 half high only, but spread out over
great deal OF ground. There was n big vel.
Ve'y lawn in front, with half dozen beech
trees that had stood thero for n hundred
yeNrs-mRgnifccnt old trees as ever cast
their shadows on summers day. There
was e'd-fasni"ned fnwrrs, and au old fash.
Toned rope swing a well with veritsbIe
m"ssy oaken huekc'; there was rlsptv nf
vegetables in the little kitchen garden. eggs
fresh every day, aud all the milk that was
wanted
IT is the very place for you" Laura
h"sEe'h said, with happy, eager look in
her dark eyes
Aud Mr.. Hartley smiled back at her with
that look man gives pretty girl whom ho
ndmircs
II shall decide nrou it, then Tho situa-
non IS good, the terms reasonable and the
landlsdy is-?"
Laura laughed, showing her pretty dim
pie.
"A little, nsEy maid, but just as nice
as she can be-"
Mr.. Hartley affected Mortified scovl,
and helped Miss Il Heskoth into the carriage
again.
"a very picturesque place. indeed, am
glad you spoke OF it to ne. | will drive over
again when Miss Cartwright is at home, and
make tho necessary arrangement4"
Which "arrEngeu'nnts" wcre that in con-
slterat"n of four guineas week, Mr. Uart-
ley was tn hnve- Miss Gsrtwright's two front
rooms for himself and his little motherless
children, and a room in tie attic for their
nurse.
1t was perfect Godsend to Helen Cart
wright-the little ugly old maid that she
hon a
that night she offered her thankful gladness
that Mr.. Hartley had come 10 smooth hor
financial road far her
For a lntger who paid So literally meant
s" much to. Helen. who. frc years ago had
lost. iO ono week her mother sud father.
aud the big, strong brother, who had been
snch.a tower Of strength :" them all There
had been nothing left to her bu. the home-
stead whore she had been born and alwavs
lived, and ~irep people had advised her TO
sell! il, and PHt the money in the bank for
rainy day. sho Indignantly seorued sueh
counsel
NO. indeed A farmers daughter ought
to manage a bit Of ground az wen as far
mer's san III keep the place. ard in snn-
mer | !! take iodgers and Larry O'Tcole shall
do a'y heavy work for me
She had prosrered fairly until the last
year so that nov, when Mr. Hartley came.
1t was Godsend to her. md she vent about
her pretty, cosey little house as happy as the
day was long.
AN ugly little old maid"-that was what
bonny. btish. Laura had called her, aad
6esrge Hartley caught himself one day
watching her. as she went fitting from place
t" place. in her big white apron aud tucked
up sleeves and sasiay brown hair brs1ded
beeeath brown silk net. both his children
trntiine after her
Yes, she was ploin. acknowledgement of
all things, Mr. Hartley least admired plain
little women hut she was good and she sue
ceeded in making him thoroughly eODforta
BILE.
..Mr. Hartley is delighted with his quar-
ters," Laura Heske;h said, one bright
morning when she dropped in moment !;
such radiant vision in her paIe-bEus lawn
and paIe>pink ribbons. her lovely face
afusb. and her eyes shining Ike stars
Helen was mixing puff paste for lemon
pie lemon-pie and rice pudding was Dir.
Hartley's favorite desert.
sis that So" Helen laughed, holding out