Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1882-08-06
HELENs LoDGER.
By j. w.

anu u Adil ul1H only, Out spread out
over great deal of ground. There was
big velvety lawn in front, with half
dozen beech-trees that had stood there
for hundred years-magnifcen old
trees as ever cast their shadows on a
Summers day. There was old-fashion-
ed flowers, and an old-fashioned rope
swing, a well with a veritable mossv
oaken bucket: there were plenty of veG
etables in the little kitchen garden.
eggs fresh every day, and all the milk
that was wanted.
1T is the very place for you," Laura
Hesketh said, with a happy, eager look
in her dark eyes.
And MIR. Hartley smiled back at her,
with that look man gives a pretty
girl whom he admires.
Il shall decide upon it, then. The
situation is good, the terms reasonable,
and the landly is-?''
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, /
am glad you spoke of it to me. l will
drive ovGr again when Miss Cartwright
is at home, and make the necessary az
engagements"
Which arrangements were that in
consideration of four guineas week,
MIR. Hartley was TO have Miss Cart
wright's two front rooms for himself
and his little motherless children, and
room in the attic for their nurse.
1t was perfect Godsend to Helen
Cartwright-'the little, ugly old maid
that she was-and when she knelt be-
side her bed that night. she offered her
thankful gladnesS that Mr.. Hartley had
come 10 smooth her financial road for
her.
For 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 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
10 sell it, and put the money in the
bank for rainy day, she Indignantly
scorned such counsel.
mo, indeed A farmers daughter
ought to manage bit of ground as
well as farmers son. I'll keep the
place, and in summer III take dodgers,
and Larry O'Toole shall do my heavy
work for me-
She had prospered fairly until the
last year, so that now, when Mr.. Hart
ley came, it was Godsend to her, and
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 tucked-up sleeves. and
satiny-brown hair braided beneath
brown silk net, both his children trot-
ting after her.
Yes, she was plain, undeniably-and
Of all things, Mr.. Hartley least admir-
ed plain little women; but she was good
and she succeeded = making him
thoroughly comfortable.
''Mr. Hartley is delighted with his
quarters" Laura Hesketh said, one
bright morning, when she dropped
in moment; such a radiant Wis
ion, in her pale-blue lawn and
pale-pink ribbons, her lovely face
aflush, 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
rs that so," Helen laughed, holding
out one short, dimpled arm, inside the
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 nest
to him. He is a great friend of yours,
isn't hep
Laura laughed. and little crimson
flush warmed her cheek
''Oh-I don't know! Yes, he is q
friend, of course. I've known him for
over year now. He's handsome, isn't
hep
Il think he is the finest looking gem
tleman | ever saw" Helen answered,
quietly, then bent little puzzled look
upon Laura.
How did you come to send him
here? / should think you would prefer
to have him with you at the Hall"
You little goose, can't you under
stand that? Indeed, don't want him
at home among so many visitors as we
have already. Helen, I'm so glad he
came here, where there's no temptation
for him to be made dead set at. A
handsome, rich widower is great
catch. Here-he's safe you see.'
She certainly did not mean anything
cruel, butt touched little plain Helen
as nothing had ever hurt her. And,
proud little woman as she was, she sud
denly had 10 rush to the pantry for
more sugar-to hide the tears she felt
coming 10 her eyes.
Mr. Hartley was safe at her house.
Yes, she was too old, too plain. too de-
cidedly an old maid to be dangerous to
any mans peace of mind. 1t was all
true, and she had known it all her life,
but somehow, it occurred to her as new
er before.
Little. and plain, and old, but with
wonan's heart beating warm and
strengthfui in her bosom; and, some
how. Laura Hesketh's rare beauty
seemed the most desirable possession in
all the world, because with it such love
and devotion and admiration could be
won. She thrust the foolish thought
away from her, and came back, her