The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1881-07-27


@Viva, dear, its coming near the
first OF Mavr'
And gentle Mrs. Rayncr laid
down the coat that was perpetuaily
becoming elbowless, and looked
across the lamp-lit table with anx-
ious eyes.
"Yes, mamma, ] know" trifle
YEARLY.
Viva, a slender, pretty girl, with
dark-brown hair gathered loosely
behind shell-pink ears, and lips as
red as a cactus flower, met her moth
er's gaze with her eyes bright with
wistful thoughtfulness.
".And we must move, OF course,
cried shrill young voice from the
sofa. where sat Jessie, volatile,
oyergrown schoolgirl, because the
front gates off it's hinges, and the
roof leaks, and"
"Yes, Jessie, we all know the rea-
sons for moving. but give mamma
an opportunity ofsuggestlng where.
There's hardly much choice about
that" said the pale-iaced little wo-
man sadly. ";Some place where the
rent would be moderate, but"-a
sudden look of longing shining out
of the pale-worn face--"I would
give all the world, dear, TO see the
country again. / feel sitting here"
A CLEAN of quick determination
came into Viva's velvetY-brown
eyes.
And so you shall, mamma J" she
said emphatically.
"My darling, how ?" in mild sur
prise
"Well,"-Viva puckered up her
low, white brow, and tried to look
wise and 5usiness-like-you see we
could get a cottage in some of the
suburban villages at half what a
city house would cost. Besides eve
rything is so much cheaper in the
country, and we could return to
the CITY the coming winter. ThereW
"But your pupils, Viva ?"
IL could manage TO give all the
lessons in three days of the week
taking the train in, you know, is al
most as cheap; and do work for
Crumley the intervening days. Now,
mamma p triumphantly.
'It looks plausible at irst sight,
my pet but I'm almost afraid to
hope. Dear. dearl how that boy
does wear out his clotht S.
Viva came over and clasped two
maroon marino around the invalid
figure before her.
Hope as much as you like, mann
ma, darling" she cried gayly; "ior
we'll watch the papers till we see
treasure advertised cheap you
know, and then"
The rest was too glorious to de-
scribe.
Three days later, Viva danced in,
out of binding April shower, with
rose-red cheeks and starry eyes.
Here it is, mamma" she cried
enigmatically, with a hearty kiss and
hug that almost demolished the lit
tie figure in the armchair.
Nov, listen !" and from the
open paper of thatmorning, she read
aloud
To RENT.-In suburban village,
20 minutes ride from the city. an
eight-room cottage, with garden at
tached. Cheap, to good tenant. APP
ply to Clifford Chandos, Room II,
"A E street, City"
II am sure this will suit-'cheap,'
rs l said, mamma. We viii have
our happy countrified summer, af
ter all, T" with an exultant little laugh
Now, for a while, goodbye !"
"Where are you going, dear2"
"To see about this, mamma. les
sons are over
"Yes but / do not like your
going alone, Viva"
''What an old-maid music teach
or like me? / almost acquire the
dignity of age in this voluminous
waterproof and green veil. Green f!
Just think of it, l might as well
have red hair and spectacles. My
nervous, old darling, III be back be-
fore you know I'm gone"
And with this decidedly sweeping,
but scarcely possible assertion, she
was out again under the drifting
April sky, and going cityward as
fast as tie street cars could take
her.
In the thickest, busiest portion Of
the city, up two flights of dingy
stairs went Viva.
A timid knock at room II.
Come ini"
She turned the handle, and with
the green veil well down, went in.
Two or three gentlemen writing
at baize-covered desks, looked up
carelessly as she entered, and went
on with their work.
A gentleman enveloped in clouds
of cigar smoke, with feet considera-
bly, elevated above the level of his
head. glanced toward the door, as
the figure in threadbare waterproof
came timidly in. Down came the
feet, out went the cigar, and Clifford
Chandcs, pushed a chair forward,
bowed gravely, questioningly, to the
lady before him.
IL called TO inquire about
cottage advertised"
"The cottage Oh, yes, to be surel
VIII you please be seated, and will
give you the particulars"
And Viva, taking the proffered
seat, listened while the tall, grave
man, with straight, black brows and
keen kindly, eyes, explained the
terms with pleasant courtesy.
And when she lifted the obnox-
ious green veil a moment, to con-
clude some necessary arrangement,
Clifford Chandos started ever so
slightly as he saw the pretty, girlis1
face before him, as serene and dig
nified in its grave, business-like
composure as though its owner were
eight-and-fifty, instead of eight-and-
ten.
"When viii you look at the place,
Miss"