Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1884-03-13

, peared. The detectives of the city and Of
Philadelphia used their best endeavors
but he was gone and could not be found.
I Well, Claire was nearly distracted and
: the family lawyer at Philadelphia wrote
that the shock had completely Frustrated
Walls mother.
1t was just year after the detectives
gave up tracing Val. that Mr.. Wilton
{ turned his daughter out doors because she
would not marry Alfred Hastings, who was
all that Claire and her father had said.
1t was probably Obstinacy, and desire
j, to rule that led Mr.. Wilton to such ex.
treme measures, but the effect was ali the
same.
Claire took a hack on her arrival at Phil
adelphia, and ordered the driver to tax c
her to the best hotel.
The porter took her name and conducted
her to the parlor to wait until room was
ordered for her
Here are the morning papers, miss" he
said, handing them to her as he left the
room.
She mechanically took them, but as her
eyes fell Oh the long columns of WANTED, u
she commenced eagerly to read them, with
a vague hope that something might suit
her. But she felt competent for a very
few things, and she was about to drop the
papers when she caught sight of another
kind Of want:
Wanted-An intelligent American girl as maid
and companion to an invalid lady, who will
spend the summer at a quiet seaside resort. Ad-
| dress, until Friday, Mrs, No. -.
Claire started up. That's for me; Just
such work as l can do, and it will take me
away FROM the people l know. / must
have new name-let me see, Carrie Will
son will do"
The porter appeared with the informa-
ton that her room was ready. She fol-
lowed him up to the floor above, where an
elegantly furnished room awaited her.
will you please call a carriage for me
Immediately? want to 60 out as soon as
| l get the dust off,"
"Will you have some lunch first ?"queried
| the porter respectfully. 1T is o'clock,
and"
"Sure enoughw exclaimed Claire 81
had forgotten / had no lunch, and am
really hungry. Send up cup of tea"
But it was with difficulty she swallowed
the fragrant tea and delicate slices of
bread and butter and she was relieved to
number given in the advertisement
aristOcratic part of the city, and the house
had an air of comfort and elegance not
often seen in the costly, snowy mansions
of New York.
"You may wait" she said to the driver.
Ringing the bell she was shown at once
to the room of the invalid The servant
eyed her curiously, not knowing where to
place her in the social scale. Her dress
hoe o1osv, ,ol hor n lolx h,,< ho
was sure she was not one OF Mrs. Rosss ac-
quaintances. Judge his surprise, then,
when after usheripg her in as, "a lady,
ma'am, to see you," he heard her say, 81
called, MIS-. Ross in answer to your adver-
tisement. l am wishing for employment"
Then he discreetly shut the door and
walked off in daze.
Mrs. Ross, a pale, gentle lady of mi ddle
age, stared at poor Claire as hard as
polite person could do so rude thing, and
finally said
"Is it really so? Thank the Lord! /
have been tOrmented with all sorts of
people to-day, but you'll suit You may
stay on your own terms"
Claire smiled, and said:
1T will not be difficult to arrange terms,
l fancy. WHAT l want is home and work
10 keep my mlnu employed.
Mrs. Ross looked at her with surprise
and curiosity, and Claire told all she
thought necessary-how her own home
was closed to her because she would not
marry a man she could not love.
Mrs. Ross was evidently interested, and
said:
"Stay here, my dear; won't be hard on
you. I've seen trouble, too, but we may be
very happy together"
She sent Carson back with the carriase
to settle Miss Wilson's bill and to bring
her trunk, and Claire, or Carrie, as she
called herself, after indulging in hearty
cry of relief proceeded to the room given
her, adjoining Mrs. Ross's, and made ready
for dinner.
The few weeks before starting to the sea
shore were spent very quietly, and Claire's
helpful wOmanly ways won Mrs. ROss's |
warm love.
She enjoyed the sweet music Claire
would make in the lengthening twilights, |
and as she listened blessed the providence |
that sent her there. As for Claire, she was
peaceful if not happy.
Early June found them boarders at
pretty cottage in the quiet seaside village |
chosen by the physician, and Claire, whose
duties were fewer as Mrs. Ross gained |
strength, found much leisure which she
spent in rambling on the beach or climbing
the rocks. against which the waves beat
ceaselessly.
The view of the ocean was grand, and
Claire never tired of old Neptune, for his
moods were so varied. Even the monoton-
GUS dash OF the waves was music to her.
and she loved to distinguish the parts of
the wonderful harmony.
One day, returning from her daily bath,
she met the errand boy with the mail
Taking it from him she carried it to Mrs.
Ross, and turned to view half opened
rosebud hanging on the bush outside the
low window. A strange sound caused her
to turn around suddenly, when she beheld
Mrs. Ross grasping an open letter, while
she gasped for breath, and held her side as
if to quiet an incontrollable pain
Claire sprang for the bell, but Mrs. Ross
her away, and exclaimed family
No, dear-its-Only good news! Come
here"
1T is VAL, my dear boy-safe and we'll
coming tomorrow"
So absorbed was she that she did not
observe Claires start of astOnishment and
expression on her pale face, so
she was quite unprepared to see her fall in
a dead faint. Now the bell was rung most
and in the midst of the hustle
that ensued, Claire opened her eyes. She
pressed her hands to her head for an in
slant, and then exclaimed wildly:
Did you say my VAL is alive and COM
ing heIe"
"Your Val exola;mo1 Nrro poos IN a, |