The Sunday herald and weekly national intelligencer., 1891-07-19


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 goodm
John Humphreys pulled his moustache
thoughtfully, his eyes on the sleek backs of
OF his chestnut horses, but said nothing.
"She is evidently troubled about the FUTURE"
continued Rosa, "and 1t 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 chance, penned up in this little
country 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 hav-
ing given her home for 80 long, and made
nothing of having risked her life to save
Ruey from drowning. l wish 1 could do
something for her but she is so proud [
ed her anything. Can't you suggest some
thing ?"
~ don't know; I'll think the matter over,n
answered John Humphreys and then he turn
ed 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 13O she
found only Mrs. Wayne and Ruey at the table.
"Where Is Miss Janet ?" she asked
s'She has goue," answered Mrs. Wayne.
''She left at 10 O'Clock. l suggested to her
that she ought to say goodbye to you, but she
is such -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 adieux for her.
But i think she was afraid you would ask
where she was going. Such absurd pride ~
"Why, has she left the village ?'
"YeS, she has taken my advice and gone to
the Old Ladies' Homen
''Ltda you don't mean it ~
eyes, l 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 a
lovely place, and not at all like an almshouse
for it is well endowed, and she must pay $1O0
to secure admittance."
''But, oh Ida how friendless the poor
little thing must feel, how entirely alone in
the world My heart aches for her -
"But what else could she do Rosa? ! think
1t very fortunate there is an Old Ladies' Home
for her to go to.''
''It is cutting her life short at 40, 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 a brok en- heart. But
she shan't stay there very long if 1 can help it,
Just as soon as l am married l will take her
away"
"You speak as if your marriage were prob
ability''
$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 bloom
ing cheek. "But it seems to me John might
have given me some inkling of it., knowing
as he does that for years l have wanted him
to marry.''
III don't understand you, Ida Mr. Hum
phreys 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 her friend a moment
in bewilderment.
"You are engaged to Roland Raspton r' she
exclaimed at last
''Yes, and we are to be married Just as soon
as he returns from Europe"
II think you aught to have told me before
Rosa; and confess am bitterly disappoint-
ed. was so anxious to have you for sister
in-law"
'My dear Ida, what utter nonsense Why!
your brother is twenty-five years older than T.
We are not suited to each other at ALL
NEVERTHELESS, am disappointed; and l am
sure he cares great deal for you"
'Only as friend but If am not mistaken
he cared in an entirely different 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 answer to a call
from Mrs. Wayne's little daughter in the
garden.
Meanwhile Janet, little Russan-leather
bag in her hand, and look of utter detection
on her face, was making her way from the
Ridgefield station to the Old Ladies' Home, a
distance of two miles by the country road
She had left her trunk to be sent for later,
and had declined the use of the station hack,
feeling that she could not afford to spend an
unnecessary penny. Tired, dusty. and warm,
che asglad when she came in sight of the
Home; 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
carriage, and looking around saw, to her con-
sternation, 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 moment the chest
nuts were drawn up sharply, and their owner
was on his feet by Miss Janet's side.
"Miss Janet Is 1t possiblel Why, what
are you doing here?'
Janet was unable to answer, and her eyes
fell before the earnest penetrating gaze of
her quesiioner.
"Do you know any one here?'
"No,'' she faltered 81 have had some
correspondence with the matron, and-and,"
desperately, 81 have applied for admission,n
''You !' For moment John Humphreys
stared at her aghast. ''You can't be in earn
est. You are joking"
Janet shook her head sadly, though she
tried to smile. "It is true.''
"But you are not an old lady"
"That does not make any difference / am
obliged to go here for a time, at least. The
rheumatic fever left me very weak, and am
rof ahla inst now IN naka anu affort tnnrard