Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1884-11-27


strong, and am tired"
81 shall be SO glad to be of usel" said
Mrs. Paul Spruce, wistfully.
While she was taking off her things in
the cell-like room assigned to her, Mrs.
Spruce, senior, came toptoeing back to
where Hubbard still stood on the grassy
green, mechanically wiping the perspira-
ton from his forehead. and staring
around him in CLASSY eyed sort Of
way.
"Hubbardp' p said she, in low voice.
"Well2n retorted the farmer.
''Do you s'pose she knows it 2"
l'Knows what ~
''That this farm and the ten Thousand
dollars in money were left to Paul by his
Uncle Wethersbee ~
'aOf course she don'tl" said the old
man, looking around, as if fearful lest
some one should overhear the words.
s'How should she2"
"Are you going to tell her, Hub
bard7n
He turned short around, with growl
like that Of an incensed wild ami
NAL.
What do you take me for7n said he
"Of course" F" suddenly altering his tone
into smooth plausibility.n l have the
best interests of Paups widow at heart
She shall be provided for. She shall
never want. But what does a woman
know about business2"
s'0f coursel'' said Mrs Spruce, with
q sigh of relief-'iof courser
So Paul's widow settled down in the
Spruce household as sort of patient,
much enduring drudge, willing to do
everything, and anxious only to gain
kind word or smile.
Miss Helena Elvira treated her in
cavalier sort Of way, as she might have
treated the ''hired girl" for whom her
soul had longed.
And grateful little Elsie accepted it
all, thankful for any crumb of occasional
kindness flung her, and training herself
II % expect too much from these un-
aemonstrative connections.
But their paths one day came in col
lision.
''You going to the singing school to-
night. Elsieln said Helena Elvira, sharply.
'But you can'ti The minister is coming
here to tea, and some one must be on
hand to wash the dishes"
''Joab Whitley asked me to go with
him, " said Elsie, with dropping lashes,
''and thought
'sJoab Whitley, indeedl'' angrilv re-
torted Helena Elvira. ''rd like to know
what business widow like you has to
be careering around the country with
Joab Whitley, or any other young mani p
SIS it wrong2" breathlessly asked Elsie.
"Oh, Helena Elviral But Paul has been
dead a year now, and, after all, 1 am
only eighteen"
"Quite old enough to know better, !"
said Helena Elvira. 'I'll go with Joab,
and explain it all to him. It's quite i'm
possible for ma to spare you"
"But he didn't ask youI" flashed out
Elsie.
Helena Elvira laughed hard, cack-
ling laugh.
Jealous, eha" said she. ''But you
may as well spare yourself the trouble,
Elsie. Joab Whitley never would care
for YOU"
In the Spruce household Helena Elvi-
ra's will was law, and Elsie found her.
self compelled to submit.
She was washing. dishes, sorrowfully
and alone, in the kitchen, that evening,
wondering why she should be placed out
side the pale Of human enjoyments and
affections, when, unexpectedly enough.
the door opened, and in walked honest
Joab himself.
'Is it true, Elsie Sprucep' said he.
"Didn't you really want to go to singing
school with me tonight"
"Oh, Joabl-who told you thatan ex-
claimed Elsie, scarcely knowing whether
to laugh or CRY.
"Why, Helena Elvira. of course"
1T was not true, Joabm whispered
Elsie.
"Of course it wasn't" said he. 81
might have known it. She is a false,
treacherous human cat; and you Elsie
we'll, you are the sweetest little darling
in all the wsrld, and it goes to my very
heart to see youdrudging and toiling here,
like slavel Be my wife, Elsie--come
home to the Old Red Cottage with me-
and you shall live as lady shouldr'
What could Elsie Spruce answer but
yes2
And it was not until half an hour Of
blissful lover talk had passed that she re
membered herself sufficiently to cry out !:
s4But, what will Mr.. and Mrs. Spruce
say7 1t will cost Mr.. Spruce so much to
hire girl to take my place, and Mrs.
Spruce is firmly convinced that-that
you are in love with Helena Elvira!n
Bother Mr.. Sprucel" said Joab, reck-
Iessly; '.and Mrs. Spruce must uncon-
vince herself the best way she can. He
lena Elvira, indeed Why, I'd as soon
marry yonder clothes-postln
But Joab Whitley had hardly calcu-
lated upon the energy Of the domestic
storm which spent itself upon poor Elsie
when the actual truth transpired He
lena Elvira sobbed, wept, and declared
herself the victim of foul conspiracy.