The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1891-11-18
Selected Storp.
Adelaide.

She stood holding the open letter in
her hand, her dark eyes shining with
surprise and delight.
1t had really come at last. Size was
to see something outside of dull old
Manchester. She could not believe it,
and read again the words of her aunt's
letter: "You need a change. l want
you to get away from all your cares
from those great boys who never ap-
preciate you, and even from Kate who,
/ hear, imposes upon you. l fancy that
hear your protest-but hear me TO The
end. I've persuaded cousin Myra that
it is case of duty to give you rest,
and she will come and take charge in
your absence, and you know how capa-
BILE she is. She can manage to give you
that much time, as for a wonder no one
seems to be in urgent need IF her. Get
ready as soon as you read this letter. l
shall give you two weeks to make all
your arrangements. have waited long
enough for this visit, and if should
tell you Of all the gayeties and good
times in store for you, you &C uld not
wait even as long as you must"
Adelaide looked at tie generous
check inclcsed in the letter. With all
Aunt E eanor's odd, brusque ways TO
others, the girl knew that she herself
held a foremost place in her aunt's
heart. Aunt Eleanor said sic hated
boys-they never sat still, and always
did just what you we're sure they
wouldn't do. She had been a second
Betsey Trotwood in her deep displeas-
ure when her sisters first and third
children had proved to be of The sterner
sex, but took her revenge in luvishing
all her interest upon the second, AIDE
laide. When her sister-Adelaide'
mothec-had died two years before, ST.
was determined that Adelaide should
live with her and share her comfort
able income and the advantages of
A.. But TO her surprise and dis
may, the girl gently but decidedly re-
fused. The gentleness misled the
aunt, accustomed all her life 10 rule
she | ad no children, and her husband
was the meek st and most indulgent of
men-but she found in the young girl
before her firmness equal for once to
her own.
ooh, auntie, how could leave papa
and the children, now, in their sorrow?
l must stay with them always. Do you
think 1 could betray mammals trust
that way? You know she said at the
last: You will care for them, AIDE
laideP'" and overcome by the rem en-
brance of that sceLe so indeliby
stamped upon Ter memory, poor Ade-
laide t. rev lerself on the lounge in a
passion of grief; aid ever since, AIDE
laide had been housekeeper and Sec
ond mother to the household, which
consisted of ler father, three children,
beside the two servants.
The oldest child, RIB, would have
resented Icing classed with tie Tiers,
senior, and Adelaide herself was
eighteen. He was boy neither bet
ter nor worse than ordinary boys-full
of fun, rather needless, and not as fond
of study as eitEer his father or sister
wished. Louis, the second son, as q
quiet, studious boz, three years Ade-
ladies junior, who had to be fairly
driven out of doors TO take proper ex-
ercise. Kate, a girl of ter, was h( althy,
active, ard inclined to be wilful, but
on the whole, tolerably easy to govern.
1t was quite he. Wy burden to fall
on the shoulders of so yourg a girl as
Adelaide, and of course there were
many trials and discouragements. She
had to give up finishing her last year at
Madame Ruhl's, and that was trial.
The housekeeping was not easy, though
her two girls were well trained and
capable, for Mr.. Barringer, visionary,
bookish man, expec ted that every thing
at home should move on oiled WI cells,
and was very fasidious about his
meals. His wife had carefully kept all
annoying details from him, and be ex-
pected Adelaide to do the same. The
daughter soon learned that it was worse
than useless to come to her father with
her little troubles either about children
or domestic affairs. Mr.. Barringer was
so unfortunate as to have all the tastes
and habits of wealthy man, aud very
mod rate purse; to have the habits and
tastes of a scholarly recluse, and vet
be compelled to earn Lis living as
cashier Of the most important bank in
Manchester.
Rob would graduate the coming June
at the Manchester College, and AIDE.
laide wondered what would be done
with him then. She had her own wor-
ries about This brother, and especially
of late. He seemed to care so much
less for home, and she often felt that
the slight hold she seemed to have
upon him was slipping away. She
hardly dared put this into words, it was
still too vague for that; but it was
there, the little cloud no bigger than
a mans hand. But when she stood
holding Aunt Eleanor's letter ant
check in her hand, she did not think of
any of these things. HI heart-young
and glad in spite of sorrow and care
gave great bound in her relief and
pleasure. If Cousin Myra came she
need have no misgivings, for she was a
maiden relative, agreeable, efficient,
who seemed to live to help Others out
of difficulties, and was always ready to
step into the places no one else wanted
to fill, and with all this money, she
need not ask her father for a cent.
Oh, how charming it would be not to
think of meals, nor Kate's clothes, nor
soiled carpets and windows, to be free
like the Girls ahout har ap6 aniou tho