Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1891-10-09

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
shame that she is so utterly alone in
the world She ought to have married
long ago; but of course she never got
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 Jsi&a for having given her home
for so long, and made nothing of having
risked her life to save Ruey from
drowning. | wish l could do some-
thing for her, but she is so proud l
would be sure to hurt her feelings if
offered. her anything. Can't you sug-
gest something's"
81 don't know. I'll think the mat
ter over" answered John Humphreys;
and then he turned the conversation to
something else, and 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.
suggested to her that she ought to say
| good-by to you, but she is such a timid
creature she wouldn't disturb you at
your letter writing. She said 1t would
be matter of no moment to you that
she was leaving and could make her
afraid you would ask where she was
going. Such absurd pride!"
"Why, has she left the village?"
Eyes, she has taken my advice and
gone to the Old Ladies' home.''
"Lida! you don't mean itl''
'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 good
room, and plenty to eat, at least. 1t is.
u lovely place, and not at all like an
almshouse, for it is well 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?
I think it very fortunate there is an Old
Ladies' home for her to go to-"
ut 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 I can
help 1t. just as soon as / am married
will take her away"
''You speak as if your marriage were
probability"
$50 it is. 1 have been making up
my mind for several days to speak to
you about it.
Rosa! 1 am delightedr' 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 I have wanted him to
marry"
81 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 asxed-but as a
mere matter of form"
Mrs. Wayne stared at her friend a
moment in bewilderment-
you are engaged to Roland Rasp-
toni she exclaimed at last.
Eyes, and we are to be married just
as soon as he returns from Europe"
81 think you ought to have told me
before, Rosa; and l confess I am bitter
ly disappointed. was so anxious to
have you for a sister-in-law.
'My dear Ida, what utter nom
sensel Why! your brother is twenty
five years older than 1. We are not
suited to each other at all"
Nevertheless, 1 am disappointed;
and am sure he cares great deal for
You"
"Only as friend; but il l 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 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
utter detection on her face, was max
ing her way from the Ridgefield station
to the Old Ladies' home, distance OF
two miles by the country road. She
had left her trunk to be sent for later,
ard had declined the use of the sta
ton hack, feeling that she could not
afford to spend an unnecessary penny.
Tired, dusty and warm, she was glad
when she came in sight of the homej
but just as she reached the gate and
was about to push it open, she heard
the sound of horses feet and the swift
roll of u carriage, and looking around
saw, to her CONSERVATION, that he who
held the reins over the backs of the
stylishly moving chestnuts was John
Humphreys, whose handsome estate
was situated only mile from the home.
1t was too late for escape. She had
been recognized; and in another mo-
ment the chestnuts were drawn up
sharply, and their owner was on his
feet by Miss Janet's side.
"Miss Janet! Is it possible! Why,
what are you doing here?"
Janet was unable to answer, and her