Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1886-09-16

James just brought it. Now what am l tc
do? Charlie is sick among strangers, and
there are my two babies
go to Charlie, it Is your duty" SAID
Laura promptly ''The children are well,
suppose, and | viii stay here, and oversee
the nurse, in my ignorance. But I'll be
faithful Sue.'
Sue stared at Laura in wonder and de.
light.
"Will you dear?" she asked incredulously
"Madge wrote you were going away for the
summer, and | imagined you belle of some
ball room" No dear, you ought 10 go-I-'
"But | prefer to stay here" said Laura
firmly put quietly, 81 have not decided
70he1e to 60, and it will be pleasure to help
you if you will trust me''
"Trust you! You are an angel in brown
linen" laughed Sue Historically.
"And perhaps Charlie will be able to
come home soon, and Miss Leighton can go
on her trip yet" said DR.. James "But 60
now, Mrs. Glenn and rest little before train
time, ri call for you"
He took his hat and bowed himself out
and Laura went with Sue to her room.
There were only three hours before train
time, and Laura used her utmost exertons
and all her wits to get Sue off in good
shape, on time, for the distracted little wo-
man was continually stopping preparations to
! pet the children, and bewail the necessity of
her "trip.
"Dont IVORY, Suen' said Laura sooth
Madge to send my things" And SO when
she left home, Sue felt things were as well
arranged as possible, under the circum-
stances.
"Oh, forgot" cried Sue, with her foot
on the carriage step, "Brother Horace is
coming home from Italy-expect him any
time. If he comes before we get back, take
care Of him for me-
She sprang in, kissed her hand in farwell,
and was gone.
1t was after three p. m. Laura wrote an
explanatory letter to Madge, and asked her
10 have her clothes sent her. She insisted
her mother and sister should consider her as
having the best kind of vacation.
She sent Noah with her letter to a box,
then went up to the nursery, and romped
with the bright-eyed Harry and curly haired
Mabelle.
Dinner was served at he usual hour, and
Laura felt lonely at the table where she had
been accustomed to Charlie's gay banter,
and Sues witty retorts. 81
AT the children's bed time, she went to
the nursery, and after Mabelle was arrayed
in her pretty nightdress, she held her, while
nusre subdued frolicsome Harry.
As Laura sat in the fading twilight, sing
ing to sleepy Mabelle, the sweet German
lullaby song, she heard stealthy steps in the
hall, then sudden opening of the door, and
tall manly form stood in the ROOM The
next instant he was behind her little camp
rocker, and clasped her and Mabele in
fond embrace, while he exclaimed in low
laughing tones
''Ah, little sister, I've taken you and the
babies by storm, haven't | Got here a little
sooner than l expected"
Laura, with struggle regained her free
dom, and turning, faced the stranger. Then
he saw his mistake; his face crimsoned, and
he stammered,
"I-I beg pardon. l supposed was in
Mrs Glen's nursery am her brother, Just
home from Europe. Thought l would take
her by surprise-thought you were-my SIS
ter.'
Laura, though blushing with confusion,
had, by this time partially recovered her
composure, and said
81 presume this is Mr.. Dayton! Yes, this
is Mrs. Glen's nursey, but she is away, and |
reign in her stead-for a while"
Mr.. Dayton, with gentlemany courtesy, re-
stored the little rocker, and he took another
chair while Laura explained who she was,
and why she was there.
Then the gas was lighted, and as the chill
dren slumbered to sleep, Mr.. Dayton and
Laura adjourned to the drawing room. AT
his request she played and sang, and al
together, they spent so pleasant an evening,
she forgot to apologize for her plain street
dress, and he forgot to notice it in his admi-
ration for the bright, intelligent face, and ex-
presslve Pansy eyes.
The acquaintance. begun in an unusual
manner, developed into a warm friendship,
in their mutual care for the children. Hor-
ace declared it was his duty to attend to his
sisters children, SO nurse had an easy time,
while Horace and Laura with the little ones,
sauntered on the common and in the garden,
or drove out on charming country roads.
They were both almost strangers in the city,
and rarely met an acquaintance. On one of
their drives, about month after Sues depar
ture, Laura said, 81 shouldn't be surprised TO
see Charlie and Sue any day, as Charlie IS
doing SO WE'LL
"And then what shall zoe do ?" sighed
Horace dsmally. "Sue will surely take
these tots off our hands, and
''Oh, shall 60 home," said Laura, unless
mamma orders me off somewhere" and she
related her vain effort to find a suitable re-
sort for her vacation. "My coming here was
a Providence-for me-" she added, "for it |
stopped the worry"
"And Providence for me-" said Horace
softly, 'for it has given me chance to find |
a true woman, one l want for my wife!
Will you be mine, Laura?' he asked in sud-
den anxiety, as her eyes drooped, before
his gaze. She did not reply, and he gently |
lifted her chin, and met in her beautiful eyes, |
the answer he wanted.
"Uncle Horacer' cried Harry-"What
you doin' You only got one line!"
Horace laughed, and Laura reached him
the other line, as he turned about for home.
When they drew up before the door, an
excited little woman in a travelling dress,
ran down the steps and caught first one, and
then another of the little ones, and bestowed
hugs and kisses promiscuously on the young
people, while the pale invalid smiled in the
door way.
Sue was delighted with the result of
Laura's generosity, and. to tell the truth, so
was Mrs. Leighton and Madge, when, few
days later Horace accompanied Laura home
They were to be married Christmas, and
when he left, Horace said, "We'll take
Lauras trip next summer"
F. A. r,