Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1883-08-20

5elhshnesS OF her sisters she did not
know how to check it.
The advertisement for boarders
was duly inserted in several of the
city papers, Helen giving her full
name and address. much to the hor-
ror of Louisa, who declared that now
all the world would be conversant
with their pitiable poverty.
"A Mrs. Darby was the first arrival.
She was an old lady with false teeth,
a false front, small, piercing gray
eyes, and mind above the frivoli-
ties of fashion. She wore dresses of
the scantiest and plainest make, and
a bonnet so antiquated in style that
Josie could hardly repress peal of
laughter when she saw it. But Helen
greeted the old lady with the greatest
Kindness and assigned to her one of
the pleasantest rooms in the house,
attending to her numerous wants
with such cheerfulness and readiness
that Mrs. Darby was absolutely
charmed and blessed the good fort
une which had led her to this abode.
A few days more, and the four
spare rooms were all full, and Helen
was kept so busy that she hardly had
time to talk to Tom when he came,
which fact caused her keen regret,
for she always felt better and bright
er after conference with him, or
a stroll in the sweet old orchard.
Tom mourned because Helen's eyes
were less bright, her face less bloom
ing, and her step less elastic than
formerly, but she laughed at his fears
that she would make herself ill, and
was so cheerful whenever he came,
that he did not suspect her of con-
cealing a heartache and guessed moth
ing of the tears of utter WEAKNESS
she occasionally shed in the 81
lence of the night, when body and
brain were so overwrought that sleep
was impossible.
The venture paid, however. The
boarders were delighted with the old
fashioned house, the big orchard and
the quaint garden with its lilac, rose
and almond bushes, and, box-borded
walks. They stayed until the chilly
days of October, and left Helen with
enough money in the bank to carry
her through the winter. Mrs. Darby
did not 60 away with the other
boarders. She said she had no home
and if Helen would keep her all win
ter she would be much obliged. Of
course Helen consented, much to the
dissatisfaction of her sisters, who
thoroughly disliked the old lady, and
we've decidedly averse to her lectures
on selfshness and frivolity. But they
were obliged to make the best of
her presence, since Helen had decid-
ed that she should remain.
SO the winter passed, Mrs. Darby
having several severe attacks of rheu-
matism, through which she was ten
derly and faithfully nursed by Helen,
who felt fully repaid for her trouble
when the old lady looked at her with
tears in her eyes, and said grateful
ly:
"You're the best and most unself-
ish girl / ever knew. You've been a
daughter to me, and you'll get your
reward sooner or later, in heaven, if
not on earth.
Summer came again, and with it
the boarders, and Helen worked
cheerfully and indefatigably as ever,
having again a good sum laid by in
the bank when fall came, as the re-
suit of her labors.
Mrs. Darby still remained fixture
in the old house, though she had
ceased to be remunerative.
81 can't pay you any longer, .
she said to Helen, ''and of course
you can turn me out, if you choose.
l could hardly expect you to keep me
without money and without price"
Rut Helen kissed her affectionate-
ly, and said she might stay as long
as she lived, and begged her not to
worry about her money difficulties.
Naturally, Fannie, Louisa and 10.
sic objected to this arrangement, ano
declared that Helen was taking the
bread out of their mouths to feed {
stranger.
GA cross, imbecile, lecturing ole
woman" Josie said savagely. 81
wish we had never seen her,
But Helen remained firm IN he
resolution, and was as attentive t.
the old lady as she had ever been
even growing attached to her il
time, and feeling grateful for tn
sympathy and interest Mrs. Darb.
expressed, when told of that lons
engagement with the struggling youns
doctor.
Two years passed away, making
no change in the household, AM
seemingly bringing Helen no neare
her wedding day, and then Mrs. Dan
by suddenly left Barville, with tn
intention, she said, of going to
cousin in the city who was able t
support her.
"She ought to have gone long ag
to her cousin S." said Fannie. 81
was shameful to impose upon ou
generosity for such length of time.
ssIt would be just like her to com
n