Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1883-11-05


a supper of black caps and milk, de-
licious homemade bread, fresh hon.
ey and johnny-cake.
''Two dollars week for such fare
as this, to say nothing of my cunning
corner roomp said Mr.. Browne to
himself. II never boarded so cheap
ly before in all my life."
At the end of week he was more
than delighted with his summer home.
Mrs. Troop was the kindest and most
motherly of hostesses; Barbara was
the impersonation of sweet and gra-
cious refinement. The mountain was
full of purple glens, merry-voiced
cascades, winding footpaths and
breezy heights. Mr.. Browne enjoyed
himself intensely. He believed that
he had come to the right place.
"Don't you think" said Barbara
to her mother, 'that he's very strong
for consumptive?'
''It's that herb-tea, and the diet of
honey and new milk that is building
him up" said Mrs. Troop, triumph
antly. II never knew 1t fail yet in
lung diseases. But he's very pleas
ant, Barby, isn't hep
''Very" said Barbara, earnestly.
Mr.. Browne had not been q month
at the little cottage on the mountain,
when, overtaken by sudden shower,
he took refuge in an old, unused barn,
not far away from the house. where
thicket of blossoming elderberries
concealed the rude stone basement,
and veteran yellow pine tree flung
its banner of black-green shade over
the messy shingles of the roof. I'm
used, except to stow sweet hay IN
and in one corner a little chamber
had been finished off, long ago. with
a brick chimney and a tiny-paned
lattice. The door was half open, and
Mr.. Browne could discern a little cot
bed, draped with white; a dimity
covered toilet-stand, whose course,
cheap bowl and pitcher were enriched
with purple and crimson autumn
leaves in hand-painting, and little
needlework rug which lay at the foot
of the bed.
"Ah," said Mr., Browne, to that
best of confidants, himself, II CON-
prehend it all now I have displaced
Mademoiselle Barbara from the little
corner room in the cottage. Upon
my word, feel like usurper! But
how good they are, this mother and
daughter, whose only income is de-
rived from this precarious occupation
of taking summer boarders How
unselfish, how utterly self-sacrifcing
There are good Samaritans yet left
in the world, thank heaven y
When September came with its
yellow leaves and its clusters of vivid
blue asters on the edges of the woods,
Mr.. BIowne prepared to return to the
city.
"You are sure you are strong
enough to resume work p said Mrs.
Troop anXiously.
Mother" said Barbara, she isn't
at all like an invalid. Either old Mr.
Fanshawe was mistaken, or else Mr..
Browne has made an almost miracu-
lous recovery"
Just at this instant Jane came to
tell Mrs. Troop that neighbor Jack
son was at the door .waiting to bor-
row a drawing of tea.
The gentle widow hustled out i; Mr..
B1owne turned to Barbara.
Eyes" said he, II am going to
return to New York. But I shall
leave something behind me-"
eve shall be very happy to take
charge of anything for you,'' said
Barbara, who was sorting over red
checked pears for preserving.
"Shall you? But you don't know
what it is, Barbara suddenly laps
ing into extreme gravity, sit is my
heart. / am driven to confess that
| have lost it-and to you.''
"You ale joking!'' cried Barbara,
coloring and half-disposed to be in
dignant.
81 never was more serious in my
life," asseverated Mr.. Browne. 81
do love you, dear little Barbara, tru-
ly and tenderly. Do you think you
could dare to trust your future to me
Poor as | seem, l could yet give you
a good home"
"Oh, am not afraid of that, y
said Barbara, with rising color and
dropping eyelashes. 81 have been
brought up to be independent, you
know, and believe 1 could earn a
little money by art work, if ever ]
had the chance. If-if you really
care for me"
''My own darling -
''Then-yes, | do love you -
So Barbara was wooed and won.
"Of course, the dear little mother
must live with u.s. said Mr.. Browne,
81 couldn't do without her p
Mrs. Troop, who had once more
joined the group, looked puzzled.
SIS it fiat" said she wistfulIy.
! mo. 1 occupy whole house,
ssBut dear me !" cried the mother
in-law-elect, 'sisn't that rather ex-
travagant?''
81 think not" said Mr.. Browne.