The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1884-03-14

with AIMS help, that we could set O
very nice table for boarders."
Lila looked terrified.
Mamma" said she, "has II come te
this 2"
Bess frowned savagely.
"Lilla," said she, don't be fool
unless you think you would like tc
starve.'
And while the family were still in
committee-of-the old Mrs. Play.
ford's huge, old-fashioned baroucht
rumbled up to the door, with Leaning
Tower of Pisa strapped on behind in
the shape of trunks!
"l'm little earlier than usual, my
sweet girls" said she, with smile
that revealed the golden hinges Of her
false teeth after most CHASTITY fashion.
"But the season is intolerably hot, and
my doctor declares it would be suicide
for me to remain longer in town. And
know, darlings, I'm always sure of a
welcome hereW
Mrs. Greyton was about to reply
when Fenella stepped forward.
"Then you haven't heard of t?'said
she. 1--WE are ruined, Mrs. Playford.
Old Mr.. birmingham has spent all our
money and gone to Australia We
can't entertain company any longer.
But if you would like to board here, at
a reasonable compensation, we shall be
glad to receive you, and give you all
the comforts of a home"
Mrs. Playford's jaw dropped; she
tu1r ed sickly, putty color.
"John, John!" she cried, to the man
"you needn't unstrap those trunks. !
have SO many friends who are anxious
for my society. that really I am not at
liberty to accept your very singular
proposition" Ito Fenella). "Of course,
Ito Mrs. Greyton) 81 sympathize
deeply with you, but we all know that
riches have wings. and never did put
any confidence in Mr.. birmingham as
business man. So sorry that things
should have come to such an awkward
complicationv'
There she goes--the old harridan!'
said Mona, as the withered hand waved
itself from the carriage-window, half
way down the drive. "She has lived
upon us for six summers, and now she
wouldn't fling one of us penny if we
were stal wing"
Old Mrs. Playford was better than an
advertisement in the newspaper. The
Bidgood girls came no more; the city
people kept sublimely away. The old
adage concerning the flight of rats
from falling house, came strictly true.
"Rosa Bidgood hasn't even come
after that conserve of rose-leaves l
promised her." said Mona, sadly.
"And gave FIVE dollars for the spices
and essential-olls, and l dried the
jacqueminot and niel-leaves so careful
ly and Clarie painted such beautiful
butterfly jar for it"
"Can l have the pot-pourr, Mona?
asked Bess, suddenly.
"Yes,i you want it, answered Mona,
with shrug of her shoulders. 1--WE
can't eat nor drink dried rose-leaves."
"Perhaps we can" said Bess to her
self.
And she rumaged out divers and
sundry rare old porcelain jars and vases
from the family store, filled them with
the sweet, strangely-scented mass that
Mona had concocted, and carried them
quietly to town.
"It smells exactly like Mrs. Greyton's
drawing-room at the manor house
herew exclaimed Ferdinand Houghton
as he entered the studio of Miss NAL
vina Morris. fair feminine sculptor
who had some very original ideas Of
her own, and was on hail-fellow- WELL
met" terms with all the other artists of
both sexes.
She was neither young nor pretty,
yet every one liked Miss Morris.
"Well, l should think it might" said
She "Do you see those wine-jars on
the shelf?"
"Of course l do. What are they"
"They are filled with conserved rose
leaves. Mona Greyton made them.
Bess, the second sister, wants me to
sell them for her. Real old porcelain;
leaves full of the subtlest scents of
Bendemeer. Will you take one at ten
dollars, Ferdy?"
"Then it's true?" said Houghton.
"About their financial troubles
Unfortunately, yes," said Miss Malvina
Il only wish l could help them. Come.
buy the pot-pourri-there's good fell
loww
"It's my last ten-dollar BILL" said
Ferdinand, "but here goes Mona
Greyton is an angel. Do you suppose.
Miss Mally, she would accept poor
artist like me, with no particular in
come and nothing to live on?"
"Try it and see, said Miss Morris.
"But I'm not half good enough for