Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1882-09-14
AT THE OLD RED FARMHOUSE.


People called LEILA Brownson ''peculi-
ar. Perhaps they were right; but then
a girl with fifteen thousand pounds of
her own when she is ten days old, and
one hundred thousand more before she
is fifteen years, has almost a right to be
peculiar To be an heiress is enough
to make a girl different from other girls;
but to be n beauty rs well, and also pos
sess II merry, cheerful laughter loving,
generous nature-surely n creature so
gifted could indulge in almost any within
or caprice, and be counted blamelcss
by her three hundred and one dear
friends.
Leila certainly claimed her privilege,
and did pretty much what seemed good
in her own eyes. She had q guardian,
of coursc-an elder brother of ermoth-
er's-an easy-tempered man, who loved
his orphan niece very dearly, but was
too much devoted to business to look
after her very closely.
Another relative 4 matron lady pre-
sided over the household of the hciress
since the death of her father, which
event took place when she was fifteen
Years old. Mrs. Malcolm was the wild
ow OF rather eminent Scottish artist
an excellent lady. She also INDUCED
Leila. and, being childlcss, loved her
with all the strength of heart intended
by God to be ''motherly."
Il want to 90 somewhere this sum-
mer where there is nobody, Aunt Mel
lie said LEILA, one bright spring morn
ing, as she gazed through the window
of her home.
Somewhere where there is nobodv?n
repeated Mrs. Malcolm, with slightly ell.
eyated eyebrows,
YES, some place where there amt
soul? | am going to study like-likc
fun. Aggic Austin learned Spanish last
season while she was in such lovely
farmhouse, and used to make hay, and
got all burned up with the sun. the way
bio Lewis says is good for you and I'm
going to do the very same thing this
season.
"Um. You know Agnes Austin is a
very poor girl, and is going to be
teacher. | do not see the Necessity for
you to bury yourself in ,hat way.
"Aunt Nellie You don't know how
sick and tired | am of being the rich
Miss Brownson. | overheard that Mr..
Selkirk say last night; oh, Brownson's
pills, Are you in agony?' making fun
of poor papa's advertisement Yes,
am going away. all by myself and | am
not going to take anything but the very
plaincst dresses calicocs and ginghams
and | may play the part Ola poor girl.
Now, everyone who looks at me. or
speaks to me. thinks of pounds ana
pence, and Brownson's patent medi-
cines.'
"By yourself Leila? Do not you want
me to go with you?"
no, Aunt Nellie, do not. If you
go, there is q nameless atmosphere Of
wealth about you; no one would ever
believe | was poor. You must 20 to
Saratoga as usual, and if ] get tired Of
rusticating I'll run along and join
you"
well, suppose you must have your
own way, rs usual, said Mrs. Malcom
reluctantly.
"Of course ! intellectually. Twil
be Little Bo-Peep who lost her sheep,
and YOU will be quite surprised to learn
how few admirers | shall find, once | am
perfectly clear OF the pills and liver
pads. | want to find Just how lovable
Leila Brownson is without the filthy IL
ere that arises from the ills that flesh is
heir to-
Another of your whims, dear" said
Mr. Malcolm, with half sigh. "Nell,
hope no harm will come Of it,
Harm. Aunt Nellie? What possible
harm could come of itg'
Il don't know. Somehow l do not
ike the idea. If you give your name,
people viii be sure to guess who you
are
We'll then, won't give my name.
I'll call myself Leila -Leia-Tll take
your name, Aunt Nellie-Lcla Nal
COM
The sun was setting among the white
birch-trees behind the OLD red farmhouse
the homestead of the Parker family,
near North Attleboro--as an ancient
buggy drew up and a young lady step
ped out.
II declare, Aunt Mabel, here's the
boarder come alreadyr' exclaimed
Daisy Mrs. Parkers rosy-cheeked
niece.
Il declare-so it isl Well, Daisy 20
and ask her in can't quit the fire til.
the breads ont I"
Half shyly, half gladly, Daisy obeyed: