The Grenada gazette. (Grenada, Miss.) 1885-18??, 1888-06-02

truth Of this statement by going 10
work so understandiugly and ener-
~getically. that, after the ho~usekeeper
had watched her for q short time, she
shrewdly decided she could safely
withdraw. and left Barbara in
proud and happy possession OF
the apartment. She fitted about
the books, like a bee among flowers
90 use a trite cxpyession). smiling
with satisfaction as she worked. and
so absorbed did she become, that she
did not hear a hasty step in the hail.
or an exclamation of surprise from
Mrs. Boardman. Nor did she notice
tho entrance Of a rather good looking
young man. who. for his part, did no
tice the charming picture Barbara
made, as she stood In her white dress
with her arms full Of books. in front
of a hideous Eastern idol, who grinned
Indignantly at the shapely head,
crowned with golden curls caught up
with a silver shaft and the big blue
eyes fixed SO wonderingly upon him.
Warmed by her work, she had
opened a window that looked out up
on q rare old garden. and a faint
scent of apple blossoms and the hum
of bees came into the room on the
breeze, too gentle to move its heavy
draparies.
Barbara's artistic talent made it.
self manifest in her attire, and the
new found her quaint, white
gown hanging in ample folds from
her graceful figure, and the puffy
sleeves. vastly becoming. Somehow,
the admiration he felt showed itself in
his eyes, greatly to their objects dis
approval when she turned and met
his gaze; and it was a very dignified
and grave little Barbara who adj
vanced toward him, and informed him
that DR.. Worcester was out of town
and would not be back for several
days.
The ridiculous fellow seemed actu-
ally amused at this statement. But
when she offered 10 call Mrs. Board
nan for him, he hastily declared 1t
not at all necessary. Then with n
keen look from his dark eyes, he sad,
respectfully: Il suppose you are Miss
Bedford, who is 10 bring order out Of
this chaos. Tho fact is. l came in to
assist in this praiseworthy object"
On seeing Barbara hesitate. he con-
tinued:
Il assure you l am fully competent,
and will put myself wholly under your
command"
Very well,' said Barbara. you
may begin by finding II receptacle for
the various pipes and cigars that are
strewn around the roo in such a
reckless manner. Oh gentlemen seem
to find such solace in tobacco she
added, with a funny little grimace.
Concealing asmile. her visitor hunt
ed about until he unearted q queer old
bit of pottery from Peru.
This is popularity supposed to be
the place for those articles of vertu."
he said, lovingly arranging the pipes
For a time Barbara was puzzled as
to the disposal of this young man.
But he was so evidently at home there
that she finally concluded he must be
some protege of the good doctor.
"Thcugh not a poor one" she thought
as she took note of the well-cut, En-
glist-looking garments worn on his
muscular and well-knit frame. After
he had fixed the pipes satisfactorily,
with a charming assumption of au-
thority she put her new acquaintance
to work in good earnest, and kept him
carrying books in a most merciless
manner although she thought, rue
fully, that her income decreased the
more he helped.
She found him we'll acquainted with
the Doctors treasures. Occasionally
he would stop TO give her an interest,"
ing account of how his friend cNme
into possession of some rare work.
Or he would read some passage that
pleased him, as he placed this or that
book in its place. And so the morn.
ing hours passed. and they made
famous progress in their task, as well
as in their acquaintance.
When Barbara thanked this self
sacrificing young man for his assists
ance, on taking her departure he
laughingly protested his enjoyment of
the work, and declared SHE would see
him again.
For several mornings after this Bar
bara held undisturbed possession of
the library, though she once Or twice
thought she heard her ''mysterious
stranger Gas she called him to jack
speaking in the hall with Mrs. Board
man.
.'Of course, it makes no difference to
me whether he comes again or not, bat
it is provoking that l did not learn
what his name is" said Barbara TO
herself.
Mrs. Boardman had n delightful
way Of appearing about noon. with h
tray laden with dainties in the form'of
the most delicious fruits or toothsome
cakes, which were we'll calculated to
tempt a far less healthy appetite than
nS-- "