The Grenada gazette., 1888-05-26

Then Bertha added. playfully: II
suppose the Princess must have a
dragon to guard her in her retreat
I'm not afraid that any handsome
Young Prince will come to carry this
poor Princess away, but Madame
Grundy is a sour old witch, and I'm a
little afraid of her.
Yes, certainly" replied Mrs
Searles. "You can not live there alone
1t wouldn't be pleasant nor safe. Prob
ably there are many in Kent who would
be glad to come"
No. | shall try to find some one
here who is tired of the city and would
be glad of good home in the country.
l want company more than help, I'm
sure there are plenty who would be
glad of the chance, if | can only lay
hands on them" said Bertha, who was
anxious to combine charity and pru-
dence.
The fall passed, the holidays came.
and you can imagine Bertha's feelings
when her card was published. This
bit of fame did not turn her head, how
ever, and as the winter passed she de-
voted more time than usual to her
family. for she was to 60 to her new
home in the spring. The weeks passed,
busy with sewing and lessons in paint
in. and one fine day in May she start
ed for Kent. Many friends came to
see her off, for though they thought
her foolish, quixotic, rash or brave, as
the case might be, they all wished her
well.
Her companion was pale, thin
woman, who felt that the smell of ap-
pie blossoms and the babble of brooks
would bring strength to her arm again
and the blood to her cheek. The train
moved out from the station. Through
the outskirts of the city, across the
river, on, on, beyond the noise, and
smoke. and smell; through low mead.
ow-land, small towns, pretty villages,
up the mountains. across rich farms,
they rode. Mrs. Bowen's face grew
brighter, and Bertha almost forgot to
look at her beloved scenery as she
watched her companions eyes grow
soft and tender.
They arrived at Kent at noon. The
house was some distance out of the
village, but the day was SO fine, and
they had sat so long, that they vel
coined the walk. The house was small
and ordinary and needing paint badly,
but its surroundings were beautiful.
About two acres of land belonged to
Bertha, and part of this had been sown
with garden truck" the rest with
grass. There were some fruit trees. but
through neglect these had become bar
rem and thin. Altogether it did not
present very hourishing aspect, ex-
cept that the garden looked dainty and
trim with its rows and patches of deli
cate green, which would one day de-
light the hearts of the Searles family.
For few days Bertha roamed around
as much as conscience and the spring
mud would allow, taking in the fresh,
sweet air and sunny pictures. Hel
stock of furniture was small. but one
room she fitted up daintily and airily.
This was to be sitting-room, parlor and
studio" For the others she did moi
care, except to give Mrs. Bowen :
comfortable bed room and pleasant
kitchen. When Dame Fortune conde
scended to smile bit upon her sh'
would furnish the whole house.
When the rooms were fitted up sh'
settled down to work. With brusl
she kept hand and eye in practice, ant
cheek rosy by feeding chickens, weed
ing garden and hunting eggs. Mrs
Bowen. whose house duties were ligh
and few, was delighted to spend mucl
of her time in the garden, and ther
was no need at present of any outsld
| help.
During July and August the childrel
came to stay with her. The first tw
weeks in August she went to the cit.
to keep house for father sendln;
her mother up to 1.-THE farm.' as the.
playfully called it; and then, whe
Mr.. Scarles could take two week
"of1. the entire family "camped out,
as Ella called it, because furniture wa
scarce. The children ran wild. NObod
worked much, but all roamed owe
hills, and made delightful little picnic
to picturesque spots they had know
years ago.
When September came, and they lei
for the city. all declared it to be tn
pleasantest summer they had spent i
years. Before leaving. Mr. Searlt
said, putting some bills into his daugl
tcr's hands:
I'm a business man. and can
with clear conscience, eat you out {
house aud home in this fashion. YO
have saved me good-sized board bi
this summer, besides making us fe'
more ut home than would have bee
possible elsewhere. So | am glad
give the money into your hands. 70
may need it."
The months passed. When, as W;
sometimes the case, Bertha became
little homesick, she went to the cit