Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1886-09-16
LAURA'S VACATION TRIP.
For the Herald. /

lToT lle HERALD
"You must take trip this summer, dear
said Mrs. Leighton, as she passed cup 0
tea to her daughter
"You are surely in time with your sugges
tion,' said Laura with slight laugh, point
ing to the stormy March scene outside.
"What possessed you to think of that just
now, Mother?'' she added, dropping The
sugar from the tongs contemplatively-
"The letter. | got from Mrs. Hazen thi;
morning, l suppose. She speaks of longing
to get back to Newport again. And wei
she may. Their house there Is magnificent
Oh girls, things are SO different from what
had planned,'
Poor Mrs. Leighton was little incoheren
sighed profoundly, as she wiped her eyes
and answered Madge's request for cake, by
passing the pretty silver basket.
"But you must take trip this summer, as
l said before, Laura, your salary is raised
and | spoke early, so as to suggest the proprl
ETY. of saving all we can, and SO you can de-
eide where to 60. You are not to go to any
farm house, but to a regular resort-sea shore
or mountains"
"But isn't Madge to go o." interrupted
Laura 81 don't want to 90 alone; and just
think of the money it will take, at the most
economical rates,''
Mrs. Leighton shook her head. "No we
can't afford to have NIadge go this year.
You must have some sort of a ch0ber0H, Of
course"
''Now mamma" interrupted Laura, ''let
me plan! You and Madge and | can go a
little while to some quiet place, for what it
would cost me alone at a popular resort"
But little Mrs. Leighton was resolutc wo-
man, on occasion, and this was an occasion.
Laura had been teaching three years, and
was getting worn out and jaded looking; if
she didn't rest and rejuvenate, she would
surely become regular old maid teacher.
Madge laughed, and even tired Laura
smiled, as Mrs. Leighton added firmly.
''You are dear noble girl, and have done
your duty, and more. Madge shall have her
turn yours comes first"
Laura did not argue farther, and it was con-
sidered settled. Mrs. Leightun forthwith
overhauled the entire wardrobe Of the three,
and the best was selected for Laura's use.
She sent for guide books, and they spent
many hours studying the most desirable
points.
Laura would not go to Newport, because
several of their former stylish friends had cot
tages or mansions there. She would not be
She did not care to 90 to Bar
Harbor, and she decided not to 60 to Mar
tha's Vineyard or Nantucket She said she
would like to 90 to Chatauqua, but her Moth
er said-"No summer schools for you my
dear Recreation and rest is what you
need"
So Laura told her mother to select place,
but she found it impossible to decide between
the attractions of mountains, lakes and sea-
shore. SO the spring glided away, and
when June roses perfumed the air, and COM
were all the rage, Laura's school
closed, and she was still undecided where to
spend her summer.
Their own quiet village home seemed the
most desirable resting place to her, but Mrs.
Leighton was determined to have Laura taste
Of the life she was destined for, before her
father failed and died five years ago. Peo-
pie of sense had admired Laura's step, when
she left the boarding school where each
years expenses were small fortune, and
ook a two years Normal course, and secured
, good position in a WALLACE graded school.
Some had bewailed her hard lot, but she was
happy in her work and independence, and in
he care of her mother and sister.
But June was passing and Laura must get
of, so Mrs. Leighton announced one morn
ng at breakfast.
Laura laughed, and said-"Well, I'll
cave you to decide to-day, perhaps | shall
ret an inspiration, for l guess | will go up
O the city, take lunch with Sue, and get her
L hot cil Il
\Iadge?"
81 am sorry, but | agreed to 60 to En-
ma Warren's and take tea," said Madge.
Laura carried out her intentions. Ten
o'clock a. m. found her stepping aboard the
rain. and in less than an hour she was in
Boston. She had been there only occasion
lily, since they moved away, and the sense
If familiarity and of strangeness made her
until she reached her cousin
sues and awaited the answer to her ring.
Sue was the wife of her fathers favorite
nephew, and she had been taken into their
hearts most cordially. She had been mar
led six wears, and two little ones claimed
Ter care. She was a devoted mother, and
,eople laughed at her anxieties.
The house was stylish one, on a good
treet, and furnished handsomely and artistic
lily. -
Charlie was doing well in his profession,
nd it was happy home.
A neat maiden opened the door to Laura,
nd exclaimed-"Oh, Miss Laura! How
leased Mrs. Glenn will be to see you!
,ill tell her.
She led Laura to little reception room,
nd left her.
Laura glanced around and was about to
un up to Sues room and surprise her, when
voice arrested her attention. 1t was Sues
ut husky and full of tears.
What could be the matter?
Evidently she was with some one in the
brary, which was across the little hall.
he heavy bo,7ie,e hid from sight, but did
OF exclude all sound.
She was saying-"But what can ] do,
)octor? l can't take the children on such |
trip this time of year, and If could, l
1ould'nt be able to nurse Charlie. Poor |
oy! / have no one to leave here. The |
urse is good one, but-Oh dear!"
She broke down, and Laura heard sobs.
Sue was in trouble, Charlie must be away
ON home, sick. S-V
She hastily crossed the hall just as the
aid returned from fruitless search for Mrs.
lem in the nursery.
"Mrs. Glen is in the library, | am going
/, Noah," said Laura.
"All right Miss" said Noal., and tripped
way.
Laura raised the bO,ziere and beheld Sue
ing back in a big chair with her handker-
lief to her eyes, while good Doctor Jones
oked at her in distress.
AS Laura advanced step into the room,
ne glanced up. In an instrnt she was