The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1881-03-16
HELEN's LODGER.
BY J. w.

It was a pleasant little place, a story
and a half high only. but spread Out
over a great deal Of ground. There was
a big velvety lawn in front, with half q
dozen beech-trees that had stood there
for a hundred years-magnificent Old
trees US aver cast their shadows on q
Summers day. There was o~ld-fashior.-
ed flowers, and an old-fashioned rope
swing, a well with a veritable messy
oaken bucket; there were plenty of veg
etables in the little kitchen garden.
eggs fresh every day, and all the mix
that was wanted.
ut is the very place for you," Laura
Hesketh said, with a happy, eager look
in her dark eyes.
And Nj. Hartley smiled back ut her.
with that look a man gives u pretty
girl whom he admires.
II shall decide upon it, then. Tho
situation is good. the terms reasonable,
and the landly is-P"
Laura laughed, showing her pretty
dimple.
"a little. ugly old maid. but just as
nice as she can be-"
Mr.. Hartley affected a Mortified scowl
and helped Miss Hesketh into the car
riage again.
"a very picturesque place. indeed,'I
am glad you spoke Of it to me. / will
drive over again when Miss Cartwright
Is at home, and make the necessary ar
engagements"
Which "arrangemenh" wore that in
consideration Of four xetncas q week.
Mr.. Hartley was to have Miss Cart
wrights two front rooms for himself
and his little motherless children. and a
room In the attic Tor their nurse.
II was 0 pcrfsos Codsend TO Helen
Cartwright-.-he Dttls. ugly old maid"
thai HI was-And when aha knolt DO
side her bed that night, she offered her
thankful gladness that Mr.. Hartley had
come to smooth her financial road for
her.
For a ledger who paid so literally
meant SO much. to Helen, who, five
years sgo had lost, in one week, her
mother and father, and the big, strong
brother, who had been such q tower of
strength to them all. There had been
nothing left to her but the homestead
where she had been born and always
lived, and when people had advised her
to sell 1t, and put the money in tho
bank for a rainy day, she Indignantly
scorned such counsel.
mo, indeed! A farmers daughter
ought to manage q bit of ground rs
well as a farmers son. I'll keep tho
place, and in summer I'll take dodgers.
and Larry O'Toole shall do my heavy
work for me-"
She had prospered fairly until tho
last year, so that now, when Mr.. Hart
ley came, it was a Godsend to her, m
she went about her pretty, cosey little
house as happy as the day was long.
IAN ugly little old maid'-that was
what bonny, bright Laura had called
her, and George Hartley caught himself
one day watching her, as she went fit
ting from place to place, in her big
white apron and t~ucked-up sleeves, and
satiny-brown hair braided beneath o
brown silk net, both his children trot-
ting after her.
Yes, she was plain, undeniably-ana
Of all things, Mr.. Hartley least admir-
ed plain little women, but she was 60. d
and she succeeded in making him
thoroughly comfortable.
..Mr. Hartley is delighted with his
quarters" Laura Hesketh said, II
bright morning, when she dropped
in q moment; such n radiant Wis.,
ion, in her p%ale-blue lawn and
pale-pink ribbons, her lovely face
atlush, and her eyes shining like stars.
Helen was mixing puff-paste for LEM
on-pie; lemon-pie and rice-pudding was
Mr.. Hartley's favorite dessert.
lis that So" Helen laughed, holding
out one short, dimpled arm, inside tho
oven, to test its heat. That's pleasant
to know, and especially from you, Miss
Hesketh, for / feel most truly grateful
to you for recommending my little rest
to him. He is a great friend of yours.
isn't heP"
Laura laughed, and 4 little crimson
flush warmed her cheek.
..Oh-I don't know! Yes, he is a
friend. of course. I've known him for
over a year now. He's handsome, isn't
hep
Il think he is the finest looking gen.
tleman ! ever saw" Helen answered,
quietly. then bent a little puzzled look
upon Laura.