The Press., 1891-10-01
w. C. T. U. DEPARTMENT. (Mrs. Kate Tannant Woods, in Union Signal.) Little New England Maid.
 NEGATIVES AND ALTERNATIVES.

"A double life is this of ours,
 A twofold form wherein we dwell;
 And heaven itself is not so strange,
 Nor half so far as teachers tell"
 Mrs A.. r. D. Whitney.
 The next morning the rain poured in torrents, but the following day the sun burst forth in all it's splendor and dressed Shiloh in glory.
 About eleven o'clock Maida saw an old fashioned chaise coming slowly along the roadway leading to Glenridge. She saw, also, Nancy's best bonnet, with it's bril- liant decorations, bobbing back and forth as that worthy woman jerked the reins. A little later she could hear her clucking like good-natured hen to old Roger, who moved on in the most indifferent manner, regardless of both clucking and jerking. Roger had gone through too many wild experiences with his master to be disturb ed by such trifies now. Just as Nancy's cluckings had reached a brilliant fortis- simo, Roger espied his friend Maida standing on the hilltop waiting to greet them, and, without further ado, he gave a whitney of recognition and trotted up the hill, until, in his eagerness to reach the top, he nearly overturned his precious cargo by suddenly cranking the chaise in order to put his nose in the stretched hand which had so often caressed him.
 "There," exclaimed Nancy, "that comes of your feeding him sugar. Horses are a sight like men; ef you pet lem the least mite, they always look to expect it. Hold still mint, MT. Burchmole, till I turr him a mite so you can git out" Mr. Burchmore, who was rolled in shawls and robes until he looked like a mummy, was only visible as to eyes and nose, although the day was warm and fine.
 "It wouldn't do to risk nothin'," said Nancy, "now that he's started on the mendin' road, so I jest wrapped him uI like sick baby in cotton wool" Maida repressed her strong inclination to laugh as she observed the invalid, but she con- quered it and said iii the kindest tone:
 "I would not get out here, Nancy, for want you to go to my little house first Let me lead Roger. Mamma has had two doctors here this morning to arrange a new movable bed for her, and we must let her rest now until dinner; papa is with her, so we will enjoy my den first and MT. Burhmore can try my new couch. J
 Thus far MT. Burchmore had not spoken, nor did he utter word until his numerous wrappings were removed and the man emerged from the chrysalis. His sigh of intense relief amused Maida, but the active Nancy did not hear it.
 ''Ef you don't mind" said she, wher she had seen MT. Burchmore cared for ac cording to her liking, "I'1l jest step ou an leave you two to visit a spell, while look.. ..after Roger; he's got quite cantank erous sence Mir. Burchmore was took down, what with the boys teasin' of hin and not bein' fed regular. I'll jest look after him, Miss Maida, an take a look round if you'll see that MT. Burchmort takes his cough drops as soon as you pretty clock there gets round to quarter of twelve.'
 "I will be faithful nurse," said Maida and as Nancy Maria went striding pas the bay window, she added, "What { good soul she is."
 "Yes, she's a good woman, a fine wo man," said MT. Burchmore; but before she comes back, Miss Maida, I want tt tell you that I've come to say that Silas Burchmore has taken his last drop O spirits, sick or we'll"
 Maida uttered a cry of joy and knel down by the side of the couch, taking thu sick mans brown hand in her own; thu other was shading his eyes.
 "Oh, MT. Burchmore, I am so happy so grateful and now you have consecratet my little home by this glorious promise Does Nancy know?" |.
 "Not yet; you see, child, it was yol who must hear it first, for if it hadn't been for you could never have done it You mustn't let folks make a great tall and towse about it, for somehow couldn' bear it.; and if you can keep lem iron preachin' at me I'll take it kind of you There is nothing rifles me like all thi goody talk, an duty an all that Go' knows its been tough pull, anyway; bu you are a good girl; I suppose must sa young lady, now, but you always seen little to me, and don't mind telling yo1 that am happier than I've been since was boy"
 "For the kingdom of heaven is within you," said Maida, softly.
 ''I hope so, child; and if I never ge round to work again hope you will tel my boy how it all was. would find som comfort in having him know that h needn't be ashamed of his fathers las days. You will write him, won't you I can't just get the words in want to say and you can do it a sight easier"
 "I will write him at once," said Maida rising quickly. and going to the beautiful writing table her father had placed in he den.
 ''I will write gladly, how gladly, yo can only guess; and you shall add a littl word at the end so it will seem all req and true. Do you know, I never wrote line to Paul in my life; mamma is hi correspondent, but now l must tell thi glorious news myself in my own way"
 While Mr. Burchmore closed his eye and rested, Maida's pen flew over the pa per. "A steamer would leave in two days and country mails were slow; if she hun ried little, and sent it by Hiram to tn Junction, it would surely be in season.
 Nancy was being entertained in tn most delightful manner. She had gon all over the house save the apartment sacred to Mrs. Hale, and had fairly revel ed in the huge linen closet which was ia nous for miles around. A little later uhon tho hauooLaoY,or x.oe obl;,.o5 @> d