Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1881-04-15
In the Cleaning.

In the Cleaning.
"You are the best Judge OF your own
heart, but do not think your future
promises much happiness as the wife of
Godfrey Hope. Remember who and
what he is"
These were tho words over which
Alice Hope pondered AS she walked
through the grove at Bellows Falls. 1t
was her favorite walk when she wished
for solitude, though it lay at some dis
lance from her home, the stately house
that crowned an incline stretch OF
ground overlooking the village.
Remember who and whet ne is! Mrs.
Hope had said these words very slowly,
and with due emphasis, only few
hours before, when Alice had read to
her letter in which Godfrey Hope had
asked her to be his wife. Who was he,
then? He was the second cousin of
Alice, man about twe1ty. seven, WHO
had been brought up by his grandfath-
er in the house at Bellows Height, and
had supposed his inheritance of house
and furniture assured.
Alice and her widowed mother had
never entered the stately house while
old Mr.. Hope lived, but had supported
themselves by keeping school for
young children after Alice's father had
died. 1t had never crossed their wild
est imagination that the old gentleman
at Bellows Falls would remem Der them
by even tsifing legacy, and they were
inclined to think that they were the
victims Of G practical joke when they
received tho lawyers letter informing
them that Alice was the sole Leiress OF
the entire estate OF John Hope, of Bel
lows Falls.
1t was like dream to come to the
splendid home, to know there was to be
no more weary struggles for daily
bread, to wander through the Eaagnit-
cent ROOMS and extensive grounds with
the deliciously novel sensation of own
ership. And it must be confessed that
Alice at first thought little OF the dis
possessed heir. But he introduced
himself soon as a cousin, and visited
the house as welcome guest.
In answer to the second clause of
Mrs. Hopes question, what was he p"
Alice could have answered truthfully
that he was the most fascinating man
she had ever seen. And Alice Hope,
though q bread-winner in tho busy
world, had moved in good society, hav.
ing aristocratio family connections both
on her fathers and mothers side.
She was 40 novice, to be won by
mere courtly manner, but she had never
met q man whose intellect was so broad,
whose courtesy was 30 winning, whose
face was SO handsome as were those of
Godfrey Hope. And yet there was
letter in her writing-desk, written by
the man whose heiress she was, warming
her that "because he is unworthy,
because he has betrayed the trust l
placed in him, have disinherited God
frey Hope"
There was no special charge, no direct
accusation, but the young lady was
warned against her cousin. Yet, in the
many long conversations the two had
held together, Godfrey Hope had en-.
deavored to convince his fair cousin
that his grandfather had been infu-
enced by false friends to believe state
ments to his discredit utterly untrue. He
had almost convinced her that he was
an innocent victim to unfortunate cir
cumstances, a victim to the mistaken
sense Of honor.
She was young, naturally trustfnl,
and her heart was free; so it is not
wonderful that Alice Hope was inclinc
to restore the disiaherited man TO lii
estate by accepting the offer of his
heart and hand.
Absorbed in her reflections, Alice did
not notice that clouds were gathering
until sudden summer shower broke
with violence above the tree-trops.
The rain came through the branches
suddenly, drenching Il -ough her thin
black dress, and she ran to the nearest
house for shelter. This proved to be
the cottage where Mrs. Mason. who
did the washing for the great house,
lived with her daughter Lizzie, one of
the village beauties. There was great
busting about when Alice presented
herself at the door.
Mercy sakes, you're half drowned!"
the woman exclaimed, burrying her
unexpected visitor to the kitchen fire.
You're wet to the SIX! dearie. Now
amt it blessing there whole wash
ing in the basket to go home? You
can 60 into Lizzies room and change |
your clothes. Dear, dear! Your hat |
is just ruined-crspe won't bear wet
tlng-and yon' We no shawl. You must |
put on dress of Lizzie's to go home
in. It's nearly dark, anyway"
"Where is Lizzie? 2" Alice asked.
Sewing 1T Mrs. Gorham's, dearie.
She'll be coming home soon. alters
make that part of tie bargain, that
she's to be let home before dark, and
it gets dark before six-fall days are
shorter than Summer ones. SO she'll
he here soon. Its clearing up
1t was clearing up, and it WIS also
growing osrk, &c, promising 10 send
home the borrowed dress il The morn
Ing Alice started Tor home.
ST. sa.i'.G at herself as eLe s;ur
before tao cottage minor, fer IT, ill.,.
Lot worn p /, ; color since b.. -. ..,.'..
dea'h, H9c ycats L. foe. ! '-2','r i ....
areas, fcec,et eiAaI. >It g.' Er..,.