The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1883-09-26

for writing note was entirely |
beyond Neelie's power, and of course she
could ask no one else to do it. But her face |
frightened when she discovered large |
envelope that had been thrown into the |
hall, inscribed in printed characters To |
the Lady of the House." The address |
was certainly appropriate, and Neelie
rightly judged that if the paper inclosed |
had no connection with the matter in
hand it would not be much more mysteri-
GUS than the documents in Nancy's sto-
ries. So she pinned the envelope to her
dress and looked about for basket. Ev-
identity there was none large enough for
her purpose except the clothes-basket
and securing that she passed through the
hall and garden unnoticed, and out upon
the street.
She had often been up town with Aunt
Helen and mamma; ! and there were large,
handsome houses up town she knew. So
she trudged in that direction, turning
hither and thither and soon losing all
knowledge of localities. A queer little
pilgrim she looked, with her curls flying,
her gypsy hat pushed back from her
flushed face, while she dragged the great
basket along behind her.
"Hello, sis. Are ye out pickin' rags,
or has yer ma sent yer after the the wash
ing 2" questioned mischievous boy.
Nellie thought it quite time to assume
her new character, and she answered as
majestically as possible:
"No. I'm going to be heiress. Be-
gone, mipjun |"
1t did not have the desired effect; for
the boy insisted that as her "phaeton
was empty, he might as well have a ride
and jumped into the basket. She could
not draw the boy, and, unwilling to re-
lipquish the basket, she stood in silent
dismsy until the superior attractions of
dog fight suddenly relieved her of her
troublesome passenger. She improved
her freedom by running for a block or
two, and then stopped to look in at the
store windows. There was no house of
the kind she wanted in sight, but the
stores were very attractive, and being out
alone, with liberty and leisure to 60 where
she pleased, was new and delightful ex-
perience. She paused before tempting
window and selected the identical wax
doll and china tea-set she meant to own
the day after she became rich. Then a
beautiful array of pictures attracted her
attention, and she passed slowly from one
delight to another, lingering here and
there, while the afternoon slipped away
unheeded, until when she finally strayed
away from the stores into broad street
lined with stately residences, the sunlight
had faded.
An odd feeling came with the gather
ing gray, and little ache and misgiving
were beginning to creep into Neelie's
heart as she placed her basket upon a
broad stone step, stood up in it to ring the
bell, and then cudded down and closed
her eyes to await developments. A lady
was passing through the hall, as the SER
want opened the door, and the girls ex-
clamation of surprise brought her mis-.
tress to her side.
"Wbat is it ?"
The girl lifted the basket inside the
door by way of reply and the lady's
startled glance wandering over its con.
tents, caught sight of the envelope. She
it hurriedly.
"'Please try the accompanying sample
OF yeast powder 7 What does this meant
ooh, no ma'am; Pm not yeast powder
Pm "a little girl p exclaimed Neelie, sur.
prised into sudden speech. /" l want to be
'dopted."
"You want to be switched :" exclaimed
the lady, sternly. "Where in the world
did you come from, and who are you ?"
The tall, severe lady, the grand, gloomy
hall, and the curious, peering faces of the
servants completed the disconsolate feel
ing that the gathering twilight had begun
Neelie bestowed one frightened glance
upon her strange surroundings, and burs
into passion of tears.
ooh, | wouldn't be your little girl fo
anything And l don't want any nic'
dresses; want to go homel"
"What made you play such prank
demanded the lady, suspiciously. Neeli
was sure she wouldn't make nice mothe
for anybody. "Who brought you here p
But the child's sobbing only revealed
that she had come alone and wanted t,
go home to her mamma.
ashes no street child, ma'am," sue
gested the girl who had opened the door
pointing significantly to the tasteful
dress. "Likely her folks are looking higl
and low for her."
, The lady looked relieved at this view
of the case. "You must run right away,
she commanded.
, But though Nellie could tell where sh
lived, she could not find her way thithel
and when she falteringly gave her address
the lady looked about her in dismay.
Away there Tell James to bring tn
carriagel" she said to the girl and whe
3 her order had been obeyed, and her III
: welcome little guest was departing, sh
. added the needless injunction "Min
8 you never try such thing again !"
. AT last Neelie was riding in carriag'
, but she did not in the least enjoy her SO
f itary grandeur. Lonely, homesick, loni