The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1891-08-27

murmured the poor, lonely little
woman; land IL have nothing. oh,
why should things be portioned out so
unequally in this world! And yet how
foolish to repine. At my age ought
to have more sense and courage"
But as she thought of her utter lone
illness, aud that in day or two she
must go forth among strangers, to be-
come an inmate of q charitable institu-
ton, she put her head down on the
broad window seat, and cried until she
was exhausted. She did not dream for
a moment that the handsome couple in
the carriage were even then talking of
her.
Janet Reeves is the best, most un-
selfish woman ever knew" said Rosa
Burthnot, as the buggy rolled out from
the gravel drive into the shaded coun-
try road. Il have actually fallen in
love with the poor, lonely, little thing,
and don't see how anyone could help
it. She is SO thoroughly sweet and
good!'
John Humphreys pulled his mustache
thoughtfully. his eyes on the sleek
backs of his chestnut horses, but said
nothing.
''She is evidently troubled about the
future" continued Rosa, land it is a
shame that she is SO utterly alone in
the world She ought to have married
long ago; but of course she never got
q chance, penned up in this little coun-
try village, taking care of her old
father: She was telling me yesterday
about her home and what pretty, old
fashioned garden she had, and she
| cried SO pitifully that couldn't help
crying, too. And when her father
| died his income stopped, and the sale
of all the personal effects brought
only two hundred dollars! She seemed
! to think she ought to be very grateful
to Ida for having given her home
for so long, and made nothing of having
risked her life to save Ruey from
drowning. l wish l could do some
thing for her, but she is so proud 1
would be sure to hurt her feelings if 1
offered her anything. Can't you sug-
gest something's
Il don't know. I'll think the mat
ter over" answered John Humphreys;
and then he turned the conversation to
something else, aud Janet's name was
not mentioned again.
Two days after this, when Rosa came
down to lunch at the ringing of the
bell at half past one, she found only
Mrs. Wayne and Ruey at the table.
'Where is Miss Janet?'' she asked.
"She has gone,' answered Mrs
Wayne. she left at ten o'clock. I
suggested to her that she ought to say
good-by to you, but she is such timid
creature she wouldn't disturb you at
your letter writing. She said it would
be matter of no moment to you that
| she was leaving, and could make her
adieux for her. But think she was
afraid you would ask where she was
going. Such absurd pride!
"Why, has she 1T the village?''
Eyes, she has taken my advice and
gone to the Old Ladies' home"
"Lida! you don't mean it!'
"Yes, do. 1t was the best step she
could take under all the circumstances.
/ She has neither the ability nor the
strength to earn her own living and it
! would be useless for her to attempt it.
! At the home she will have a good
room, and plenty to eat, at least. It is
lovely place, and not at all like an
| almshouse, for it is we'll endowed; and
she must pay one hundred dollars to
secure admittance.'
| But oh! Ida! how friendless the
poor little thing must feel: how en-
tirely alone in the world! My heart
aches for her,
But what else could she do, Rosa?
think it very fortunate there is an Old
Ladies' home for her to 60 to-"
| 1T is cutting her life short at forty,
Ida She isn't an old lady, and she
won't feel that she is in her true place.
! She will fret herself to death there,
and die of broken heart. But she
shan't stay there very long if can
| help it. Just as soon as l am married
1 will take her away"
"You speak as if your marriage were
. probability"
$50 it is. have been making up
my mind for several days to speak to
you about it,
Rosa! am delighted!' and Mrs.
Wayne rose hastily to press kiss on
the girls blooming cheek. But it
seems to me John might have given me
some inkling of it, knowing as he does
that for years have wanted him to
marry
II don't exactly understand you,
Ida Mr.. Humphreys has nothing to
do with my marriage, except that. as
guardian for Roland Raspton for ten
years, his consent was asked-but as
mere matter of form"
Mrs. Wayne stared at her friend .
moment in bewilderment
You are engaged to Roland Rasp-
ton!' she exclaimed at last.
"Yes, and we are to be married Just
as soon as he returns from Europe"
II think you ought to have told me
before, Rosa; and confess am bitter
ly disappointed Twas SO anxious to
have you for q sister-in-law."
MY dear Ida, what utter non
sense! Why! your brother is twenty
five years older than I. We are not
suited to each other at all" :
Nevertheless, l am disappointed;
and am sure he cares a great deal for
you"
'Only as friend; but II am not
mistaken he cares in an entirely differ
ent way for some one else"
''What do you mean?" and Mrs.
Wayne looked startled.
"Wait and see;" and with a merry
laugh Rosa ran from the room in an
swer to call from Mrs. Wayne's little
daughter in the garden. =
Meanwhile Janet, little Russian
leather bag in her hand, and look of
inter 1Qiaction m her fare rwas mali:
ing her way from the Ridgefeld station
to the Old Ladies' home, distance of
two miles by the country road. She
had left her trunk to be sert for later.