The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1888-05-17


ed By Gods own ingerin
This was rather thrilling. II not
strictly original. and Ella stared a.
her sister in surprise What had
happened to Berthal Mrs. Searies
looked sidewise at her daughter. while
father applauded the eloquence Of
tongue. and cheek. and eyes.
That's brave. Well. you have been
a dutiful daughter always. and I viii
not oppose you in this Yuu are
eighteen now-old enough to know
what's what-so go ahead and come 10
me if you need advice"
In accordance with her fathers all
vice Bertha determined TO transact for
herself all the business connected with
her new enterprise; so she went In
spend a few DAYS with friend in Kent
After many visits to the owner Of the
house. many letters 70 and from her
father, an agreement was made hy
which the place became hers The vii
lage was not growing rapidly. and
there were no manufacturing industries
20 raise the price Of land. The house
had been untenanted for some time.
and the owner was glad to be rid Of il
for the sum Of eight hundred dollars.
Very proud aud happy was Bertha
when she returned home. after having
ordered few repairs on the house. Sc
cured a man 10 make a garden in the
spring. and attended 10 other necessary
things.
We'll. how goes il with our lady of
property? asked her father. jokingly.
Every thing Is splendid replied
Bertha. And. father. you must help
me by taking eggs and fresh vegeta-
bles Of me when get started. ! won't
charge any more than YOU would have
TO pay here. and il will he a sort Of
satisfaction TO eat produce from my
farm you know"
''Oh ~ for that. d" said Mr.. Searles.
easily. Il will engage 10 take all you
send. "
"You don't look as though you be-
lieved in my garden. but really. nave
had il started irst-elass- Mr.. Tunnel is
an Old hand at il. OF course know
that my painting is not such that can
live by il alone"
''lt is we'll for you 20 try your plan
now. while you have home to come
to should You fail. said MIR. Searles.
smiling incredulously.
But | will not fail. " replied Bertha.
determinedly. and her father could but
share her confidence somewhat, know
ing that "the will makes the way"
Then Bertha added. playfully: Il
suppose the Princess must have n
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 .
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"
''Nu. shall try to find some one
here who is tired Of the city and would
be glad Of n good home in the country.
! want company more than help. I'm
sure there are plenty who would be
glad Of the chance. IL 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 10 her
family. for she was Ia 90 10 her new
home in the spring. The weeks passed.
busy with sewing and lessons ia paint
ing. and one line day in MAY she start
ed for Kent. Many friends came TO
see her OF. for though they thought
her foolish. quiNotic. rash or brave. a.
the case might be. they all wished her
well
Her companion was a pale. thin
woman, who felt that the smell Of APP
ple-blossOms and the babble Of brooks
would bring st rength to her arm again
and the blood 10 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
NuuE- - III II.
watched her companions eyes grow
soft and tender.
They arrived AZ Kent 40 noon. The
house was some distance out Of the
village. but the day was so fine. and
they had sat so long. that they well
coined the walk. The house was small
and ordinary aud needing paint badly,
but its surroundings were beautiful
About two acres Of land belonged 10
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 aud 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
mid would allow. taking in the fresh.
sweet air and sunny pictures. Her
stock Of furniture was small. but one
room she fitted up daintily and airily.
This was to be siiting-roOm. parlor and !
'studiO." For the others she did not |
care, except to give Mrs. Bowen a
comfortable bed room and a pleasant |
kitchen. When Dame Fortune cOnde- |
scended TO smile a bit upon her she |
would furnish the whole house.
When the rooms were fitted up she |
settled down to work. With brush /
she kept hand and eye in practice, and
cheek rosy by feeding chickens. weed
ing garden and hunting eggs Mrs
Bowen, whose house duties were light
and few. was delighted to spend much
Of her time in the garden. and there
was no need at present Of any outside
help.
During July and August the children
came TO stay with her. The first two
weeks in August she went to the city
10 keep house for father" sending
her mother up 70 1.-THE farm. as they
playfully called il; and then, when
Mr.. Searles could take two weeks
''oh- the entire family ''camped out. "