The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1891-08-29

"But cannot trespass any longer on |
your sisters hospitality. have al
ready stayed too long"
That is absurd l don't see why
you should go at all Considering what |
you did for"
80, Mr. Humphreys that was moth
ing-nothing at all!'
Nothing to rescue an only child
from drowning! don't agree with
you"
81 mean that have beer amply re-
paid" said Janet, very much embar-
rassed. Think of how devotedly your
sister nursed me all the time | was laid
up with that dreadful rheumatic fever,
and how | have stayed on here, day
after day, since l got we'll"
1.-THE fever was the result of your
plunge into the icy water after little
Ruey. 1t would have been ungrateful,
indeed, in Ida, not to have done all in
her power in return. Where do you
propose to go"
But the question was never finished,
for, to Janet's great relief, there was IA
sound of gay laughter in the hall, and
Ida and Rosa came in, the latter draw
ing on pair of long undressed kid
gloves of the latest shade of tan. She
was stylish looking girl, and John
Humphreys eyes rested on her admir-
ingly as she advanced to meet him and
threw over his arm, with easy familiari-
| ty, her light shawl. And Janet, who
also admired her, wondered how any
man could help falling in love with
such gay, fearless young creature;
and, taking an opportunity when they
were all talking, slipped unnoticed
from the ROOM
The hall window commanded q good
view of the broad carriage drive, and
Janet, safely hidden from observation
by the heavy curtains, watched John
Humphreys as he helped Rosa into his
light buggy and gathering the reins in
his hand sprang in beside her with
some merry remark which the pale
watcher at the window could not hear.
'She has everything, everything"
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 I ought
to have more sense and courage"
But as she thought of her utter lone
liness, aud that in a day or two she
must go forth among strangers, to be-
come an inmate of a charitable institu-
ton, she put her head down on the
broad window-seat, and cried until she
was exhausted. She did not dream for
moment that the handsome couple in
the carriage were even then talking of
her.
Janet Reeves is the best, most un-
selfish woman l ever knew" said Rosa
Burthnot, as the buggy rolled out from
the gravel drive into the shaded coun-
try road. II 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
a 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 a 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
rislSed her life to save Ruey from
drowning. | wish | could do some.
thing for her, but she is so proud !
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 tc
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
9 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 timit
creature she wouldn't disturb you al
. your letter writing. She said it would
I be matter of no moment to you that
p she was leaving, and l could make hei
!. adieux for her. But think she was
4 afraid you would ask where she wa:
going. Such absurd pride!"
"Why, has she left the village?"
eyes, she has taken my advice anC
gone to the Old Ladies' home"
"Lida! you don't mean it!'
Eyes, do. 1t was the best step sh,
could take under all the circumstances
She has neither the ability nor tn,
strength to earn her own living and i
would be useless for her to attempt it
At the home she will have goot
room, and plenty to eat, at least. 1t i
a lovely place, and not at all like al
almshouse, for it is well endowed; ant
she must pay one hundred dollars T.
secure admittance''
"But oh! Ida! how friendless tn
poor little thing must feel; how er
tirely alone in the world! My hear
aches for her"
But what else could she do, Rosa
l think it very fortunate there is an Oh
Ladies' home for her to go to-"
1T is cutting her life short at forty
, Iida She isn't an old lady apd oh