The Washington critic., 1886-04-09
THE SUMNER BOARDER.

1T is only Madge Alcott, the ugliest
little old maid in town."
And Rosamond Rivers soft laugh
rang out high above the tones of all the
other girls as she spoke.
stood and heard 1t without n word.
1t made me vince little, of course,
and yet knew that the words were
true. I was an "old maid" / was
"ugly." was "littlc." Yet was
to blame2
Rosamond Rivers, of course, didn't
know that had heard her words. She
meant nothing-only lovely, gay
young girl does not always stop to pick
and choose her words when she Is
speaking Of one whose bloom is over.
And l never was pretty; neither was /
rich, nor accomplished.
So had quietly made up my mind to
live single and alone in the world, earn
my own living and do my best to help
along those who were poorer and
weaker than myself.
My Uncle Charles had left me the
little farmhouse under the elm trees,
with the apple orchard on the side
built toward the trout brook and the
sunny pastures where the wild straw.
berries ripened first, and that was all
that had.
Better sell It," advised my friends.
But l had no idea of giving up my
home for the few hundred dollars that
its money value would represent.
thought 1t over and came to the
conclusion: "Fll take summer board
ers."
And this accounts for Mr.. Paul Cas-
Teton being resident under my hum
BILE roof that eventful July.
He came there with his two gold
haired little girls and their African
nurse, who looked so picturesque with
the big hoops of yellow metal hanging
| from her ears and the rainbow turban
twisted about her ebon brows-a hand.
some, stately widower. The little girls
had dropped in the sultry atmosphere
| OF their southern home, and he came
| to seek their health and welfare more
than his own. Rosamond Rivers had
recommended him to come to the Elm
Farm-he was n friend-nay, was al
most disposed to think him an admirer
of hers.
I'm so much obliged to you, Rosie, 4"
said l, fervently.
"You needn't be-" said Rosamond
II wasn't thinking of you at all, al.
though, Of course, Pm glad to have got
you the twenty-fv dollars q week; but
you see ii wouldn't do at all for him to
have gone to the hotel"
"Why not?" l asked.
"You silly little goose, don't you
see9 Bella Martyr boards at the hotel,
and DR.. Milton's pretty daughters, and
they'd any one of them be sure to make
dead set at Mr. Castleton. AT the
farm, you know, he's perfectly safe. {"
1t was true enough what she said,
yet it cut me to the heart. Bella Mar
tyn is a stately beauty. Dora and Bes-
sic Milton were piquant, coquettish lit
tie creatures. | strove, however, to
govern myself.
"Is he your lover?" / asked.
"My lover What nonsensel Nov
and she tossed her pretty head. But
there's no telling what will happen.
OF course he won't always remain a
! widower-and he did ask me twice to
| go TO the opera with him when | was
| In the South last winter Such an ele.
giant place in Richmond as he has"
listened, not enviously, but sadly.
The little russet-winged moth Is not
supposed to be envious of the blue and
gold butterfly. knew that Rosamond
was beautiful and talented-that it was
| for her to build all sorts of mrial cas-.
| ties, none of which was too bright to
be real AS for Newell, l must plod
along as best l could on the shady side
| of life's road.
i admired Mr.. Castlcton very much.
Who could help 1t There was some.
thing so chivalrous and noble in his
way of adapting himself to my poor
| little house and homespun ways, and
being pleased with everything | did.
The little girls, Bell and Violet, were
charming, and old Venus beamed like
the sun of her own tropical cline.
Didn't never s'posc de norf was so
nice," said old Venus. "Clar to gracious
it's equal to ole Virginny."
And on pleasant summer evenings
| Rosamond Rivers and her brother, the
young lieutenant of artillery, would
row up as far as the apple trees on the
| river. Rosamond sat on the lawn with
| Mr.. Oastleton, OF made believe to play
croquet, until the purpling twilight
warned her that it was time to return
to the village.
"Dat young lady, she's a.making
eyes at Marse Paul, said old Venus
one night, with nod of the head
that set her great gold earhoops rat
Ting "But tain't no usel Marse Pau
knows better"
But Venus did not look at beautiful
| Rosamond Rivers with mans i'm
passioned eyes, and Mr.. Castleton did.
How could he help it2
1t was very foolish of me to fall
| into the river. was reaching cut for
Violet's pocket handkerchief, which
had accidentally dropped in, when l
lost my balance and fell.
The river was not deep just there,
but of course / was frightened. We
all were frightened. Venus uttered o
yell which might have reused the
Seven Sleepers. Violet and Bell
| shreked at the top Of their shrill little
voices and the first l knew, Mr., Castle
ton had sprung in after me and dragged
me to land.
"Madge" he cried out, breathlessly,
calling me for the first time in my life
by my Christian name, "Madgc, tell
me that you are not hurt?'
/ was crying with fright and chill
a very ridiculous thing for me to do,
| of course; but managed to sob out:
"No, not hurt, thank you. IL am
very sorry | was so stupid"
"Thanll Godl' he murmured. "Oh,
Madge, If you had died believe
should have perished with you"
"Mr. Oastletonp'
"ls II possible, Madge, that you have
been blind to my love2 For do love
you, my little, modest daisy. Nay, |
will not detain you now; you are wet
| and cold nnI irnn1 hlinn Rnf IN IL trht