Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1888-09-21
CHAPTER TX.
SHE Is THE THIEF.

SHE Is THE THIEF.
"Whv. who are these. anyway" tho
portly Mrs.. Arnold asked. giving her
head supercilious toss. Helen.
muddy and bcdraggled. was hardly
recognizable. while the miserable
child on the peddler's pack scarcely
looked ike human.
Don't We know me. Misses Arnold?"
Pete asked.
YES, this is Pete. the peddler. an
lem me see; why, amt this Helen Lake
man2'
.Tt ia" said Helen with ali the
spirit she had at command, for some
how she regarded Mrs. Arnold in SOME
way as the author of her present mis-
cradle condition.
why. yes. it is. Poor child! what
in the world brought you ont in the
rain:" said Mrs. Arnold, looking first
down and then tossing her head high
in the air.
Il started out to find new situation,
and we were caught in the rain. Pete
came along and kindly offered TO assist
US this far
"Weil. now, Helen, just need q girl
the worst kind for few weeks, and if
you will stay here will give you good
wages" said the artful woman. who.
even then. was revolving a plan in her
mind by which Helen could be shipped
out of the country" She knew it would
not do to let her go to Jonathan
Evans. across Sandy Fork creek. for
they wanted g,7 tne worst KIND. by
some means she mus. be detained few
days until q situation could be found
for her where Warren would never dis
cover her again.
why. bless me! child, you are Just
as wet as you can be, and all bedrag-
gled. too. Won't you go in to the fire !?
There's good one in the kitchen. and
this poor. little. hah-frozen child with
you," said Mrs. Arnold, in her assumed
sympathetic manner. while she kept
her head well elevated in the air. to
peep under her spectaeles.
by your leave, Mrs. Arnold" said
Pete, I'm put down my pack in the
hall and 60 in the kitchen, too"
"Of course, Pete, do go; you know
enough to make yourself at home
here"
"Yes, an . most anywhere else, p"
placing his pack of goods in the hall.
Helen sat by the kitchen stove hold
ing her shiverin9 brother on her lap.
There was struggle going on In ner
breast. Ought she to stay at the house
of Mrs. Arnold! Her pride revolted at
the idea, for che knew she would be
subjected to every humiliation. The
proud Halle despised her as she did
the worm that crawled beneath her
feet. But then. where else would she
get employment by which to sustain
herself and brothere This feeble little
fellow could not 60 far, and he was not
capable of enduring any hardships.
Already hs bad dry. hard cough. and
his cheeks burned with an unnatural
heat Still he shivered, until his clothes
were dried through. Then Maggie. q
cross servant girl, gave him some sup
per and showed HAen miserable room
over the kitchen with q miserable bet
in it.
She went to bed supperless, for sh'
was almost overcome by her anxietie
and humiliations. She slept that dream
less, yet unhealthful sleep which some
times come to disturbed minds. AM
seems 70 leave them at morning in
worse condition than they were the nigh
before. She found her brother somewha
refreshed by his slumbers, though hi
little cheeks looked pale and wan. Hi
bright blue eyes had lost something G
their luster. It was with considerabl
anxiety that she noticed the change i
her brother. Poor little cripple, a
though . clog to hold her down {
slavery ana drudgery, she loved hin
oh. how dearly she loved him! Sh
would snslave herself, suffer all mar
ner Of insults for that deformed DO
who had been cripple from infancy
Are You going to stay here?" Pet
asked her after breakfast, as he We
getting his pack ready.
'Yes, Pete, I can do no better" th
girl said.
you've got hard row to hoe nov
or don't know picsyune calico whe
/ see it."
II know it." answered Helen, he
head bowed in her hands; but Go
win give me strength to endure it. an
poor little brother is not able to travel.
well. gal. when was in Chicago.
met Warren Stuart and promised hi,
to kind look after ye. He didn
imagine it would come to this. know
Now. ef ye ever need friend I'm Ii
man for ye to call on"
II win not hesitate to inform 20
when il is necessary for one to befrien
me-" said Helen, sadly. mo ON,
however. can help me now. 1 mui
earn my own way"
's0h yes. know. KNOW" said Pet.
Then, in IN undertone. he added
Don't let 'em get any advantage o'y.
or they'll give cotton for WOODEN filli1
every time. an ye watch that gal. Mi
Halle. She's tiger cat, and mad a
get out because ye stole her beau"
Helen hardly blushed at this for sh
felt too sad. She had made no effort t
capture the man ON whom Miss Halli
had set her heart, and regarded he
victory ~ a calamity.
When Pete was gone and she alone
she said: ''Oh, why was I not Dor
hideousP Why am so unfortunate.
Maggie was allowed weeks vacs
ton to visit her friends in Newton, an
Helen allowed to take her place.
AT the end Of that time I'll hsy
you . good permanent place." sal
Mrs. Arnold.
Helen was soon busy in the kitchen
and her mind 50 engrossed that she a
most forgot part Of her misery. Lit
tie Amos sat in q large chair near tn
kitchen stove. his little cheeks red
while he coughed dry, hacking cough
Helen had wrapped her faded shaw
: about his shoulders. and talked a
cheerfully to him as she could.
II don't like this as good as did a