Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1890-01-17

quick to detect it as she. If they ever
thought her handsome it was when that
sympathetic look crept into her face, as she
said: "Let me take your place a while"
When the rainy days came or the dull sea-
son set in far away look crept into her
eyes "Heen is dreaming today" the other
girls would say.
with the same dreary look Helen opened
her letter. 1t was from an attorney in San
Francisco, informing her of the death of her
only uncle. who had left her bank deposit
Of $1jO,000.
Helen read the letter with great agitation
to her aunt. When she was able to think she
kept wondering what she could do with so
much money. Her joy subdued from
the first by an overwhelming sense of respon-
sibilty. Her uncle had given his life for this
money. The great question to her was how
should she make this life worth something to
the world
After long consultation with a friend,
who was lawyer, she decided to turn the
money over to him to invest in mortgages.
IL was to pay her Is per cent, and retain all
above that amount that he made
As she went home she kept repeating:
"Nine Thousand a year. must make great
many hearts happier with that
When she entered the store the next morn
ing every one had word of congratuation
for her. The publicity worried her, but she
tried not to show her irritation, lest it might
hc misuterprcted. Mr.. Paine came in at 3
O'Clock, and She followed him into the Office.
Before She could say word, he said: ~ see
by the morning paper that the fates have
been very kind to YOU
They have treated me more kindly than
deserve came to resign my position"
"Perfectly natural. 1t has always been
my custom to require two weeks notice; but
these circumstances are so unusual that will
make an exception in your case"
"Thc first homage that my wealth has re-
ccved" she said mentally but aloud. "if
that has been your rule shall remain at my
counter two weeks longer" and walked out.
"Heich day" exclaimed Mr.. Paine. "She
docs not seem to know that She showed more
pride by remaining"
Back to her place she went, and sold her
laccs better than ever. The novelty of her
position aroused her. 1t was wonderful to
500 how many Of the friends of her former
days recognized her. They asked 50 kindly
after the health Of her "dear aunt too.
Some of the shop girls patronizcd her. but
the ma jority Of them had penetration enough
! to see that it was offensive to her.
One evening. about a week later Mary
/ Paine came up to her and said: GLOW glad |
/ am for you Especially glad, because you
/ have too much sense to let this Inherited
/ wealth make a fool of YOU. As soon rs You
are free, 90 and sec sweet little Lucy Snow,
/ She is completely broken down"
/ The two weeks at last came to an end but
in that time Helen had decided that TO put
people into relations where they could help
themselves was higher and better thing to
10 than to give them direct assistance.
When Helen reached nome her aunt said:
Mrs. Thompson just LEI; and her last words
w,re 4 must have tins cosy cottage VIXEN
Won move
"liovc!n exclaimed Helen.
why. Of course You do not mean to live
% this little seven room cottagef | had been
coping that You would buy our old home on
Washington avenue
We viii live right here
"Ielen, you surely havc lost your senses y
ION tie contrary, nay mind was ney,l
.4rer We viii keep a servant, however,
Really. ! feel Ike sending for Dr. Churc.-
Hl.u and having him examine your head. !
CONAN with $4,000 to be content with or
-.'raut! There is something wrong Wit
eon. my child
No. aunt; the wrong Is with the women
.
amcnt To manage a houseful Of servant,
san occupation in ITSELF
"Serously, what will society think OF YOU
pciHotic notions"
At is very immateral to me what society
tAinks.n
"Helcnw
society dropped me at Is; at 2S do no
mean to take it up
''Wnat are you going to doN
Il an going to see Lucy Snow just now
tiood-by.n
Strange girlm said Mrs Belle 'She il
never So full Of plans when she Will say
nothing about them. l will prepare myscl
for anything that is unseliish; for while sh,
j, economical, she could not do a little ol
mean thing"
Helen found Lucy on the third floor of
fourth rate boarding house. There was bu
one window in the room, and that overlooked
the back yard OF a soap factory.
Helen was shocked to see how the girl haC
changed since she left the store. Her fac
WIS as white as a lily, and her large brown
eyes were so clear and brilliant that the
We're startling.
Lucy was weak and nervous and almos
hy9tercaL When she looked up and say
Nelcn, the tears filled her eyes,
Helen did not seem to notice this, but said
plcGsantly Glow are you todayf"
II don't know. | just feel so tired. Tn
least little thing that occurs excites me st
The doctor says | must have change. II
recommends that ! 60 to the shore. Ii
might as well recommend the leopard t
change his spots"
There is your piano, Lucy"
81 know that" Again the tears filled he
eyes, but she controlled herself to say: ~
was a second hand one when | got il. | wa
three years paying for it, No ono will eve
know the sacrifices that had TO make TO pa
for it. How can | over part with itN
Il know only too well what sacrifice
women clerks have to make, if they ever IT.
, to make their salary do more than feed an
, clothe them. But, my friend, you must
more practical. Do you propose to keep IL
, piano and die.'
: "Ohl | hope to get better"
Not in this hot room" Opening til
piano she struck several chords, and rc
tones filled the room.
, This is an excellent instrument, Luc,
What did you pay for it,"