Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1885-07-23

he was. .
Janet did not desire to dispossess Mr.
Dent of his good fortune, but she
thought it hard that little OF the
brightness of life could not be hers.
But when Mr.. Dent came opposite
the shed. door, the happy light died out
of his pleasant gray eyes.
Well 1t might. Janet did not dream
what pitirul sight her poor little tear
stained face was.
Mr.. Dent spoke cheerily.
"All work and no play makes Jill a
dull girl, doesn't it ?" he said, taking
the basket from her hand and in mo-
ment carrying it, loaded, into the kitch.
en-. 'You have too much to do; the
spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. u
When Mr.. Dent had filed the big
wood boxes so the covers would hardly
shut down, he said
"My arms are strong, and they shall
be at your service while I stay here,
though it will be only day or two
longer. I shall be quite at leisure to-
morrow or next day, and you can call
on me whenever you like"
Much as Janet was pleased, she new
er would have dreamed Of taking the
gentleman at his word j; but the next
morning proved rainy one, 80 that
Mr.. DENTS chamber. being cold and no
fire lighted i'm the sitting room, he came
Into the kitchen with his book and en-
sconed himself in the great rocking
chair beside the stoye.
That was the pleasantest day of Ja-
nets life. MI. Dent told her such fun
ny stories, and read so beautifully
from his great book and then he filled
the pals, and kept the fire burn
ing, and jumped up to lift the heavy
tubs for her, and sat down again to
keep the bread from burning, while she
carried Mrs. Titus dinner up.
And while he was doing all this, Mr.
Dent was thinking what dear little
patient thing she was, and how pretti-
| ly the nut-brown hair curled oyer her
head.
At night he filled the boxes with
wood, strained the milk, wound the
high clock aud turned the cats out; and
all day he had jest for every thing, and
a genial glance and kind tone, that
turned darkness into light for Janet.
She sighed with happiness as SIZE
went TO sleep though Mrs. Titus good
night word had been that ''she was a
lazy good for-nothing thing - and that
she 'should be down stairs tomorrow
to see what Janet was up to-"
The northeast storm continued, and
Mr.. Dent was sitting by the fire again
when Mrs. Titus limped into the kitch-
en- with cane.
Now, Mr.. Dent had just been chop
ping mince.meat, with Mrs. Titus
gingham apron and ruffled cap on. and
had bsrely cast them aside, when the la
dy opened the door and caught Janet
laughing.
She might well have looked amazed
for she never had seen Janet laughing
before. Now, why she probably could
not haye told, but Mrs. Titus was very
much offended.
She waited until dinner was served,
and Janet had gone into the well.room
to cool the pudding then she began a
bitter TRADE
"Pretty business this is. giggling and
fooling your time away, and everything
to do Mr.. Dents been reading poe
try to you, has he How much more
churning can you do when you listen to
poetry :? Have you baked that fruit
cake ? Well,I know it's made wrong
Did you shut that sittin' hen off the
nest +? don't believe it, what's Mr.
Dent in the kitchen for, any way ?"
"For the fire, ma'am. The chambers
are so chilly. And had so much tC
do, and he was kind. and his arms were
strong," faltered poor little Janet.
'Umph ! Been complaining to Mr.
Dent. have you, that you work 30 hardf
Whining, good .for-nothing creature
wish I'd left you in the asylum. ]
never thought of you turning out like
this-luring men into my kitchen when
Pm sicK in bed"
"Stop, Mrs. Titus 10 interposed Mr..
Dents heavy voice. "Better not &c
too far. Janet has told you all there i:
to tell. did think she worked too
hard. felt kindly toward her. l have
pair of strong arms which have help
ed her little. Aud they are still al
her service. They shall be hers for lift
il she will. Little Janet, will you ac-
cept me for husband ? Many 6
younger man will not be as tender an(
true as I, Janet. Will you come, little
one p''
, Aud Janet she looked once with he
wide, innocent eyes into the strong
gentle face, then went straight int
: those extended arms, though Mrs. I'll
tus stood by shifting the air in scorn.
"Well, L never 10 she exclaimed
ITO think of it ~
Janet never was Scolded again
Those kind, strong arms have been a
bout her ever since. To-be-sure, sh
, was not educated for u gentleman
wife hut Mr. Dent toOly her home IA