Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1892-03-12

E1~N \AeJacuiated:
>---"'-'' ~ "Well, really
upon my wordl'
Were very sorry, Aunt Adams.
murmured Katherine; "but we couldn'
help itp'
"We didn't know where else to 90,
said Emily.
"How were we to suppose that Uncle
Asa would marry again2' sobbed Rosa.
mond, the youngest and plumpiest of the
three. "And that his new wife would
make things so disagaeeable for us that
we couldn't stay at the farm any
longer?"
"Actually said, struck in Katherine.
"that she didn't want three great lazy
girls around!'
is that the state of the case2" said
Aunt Adams.
"Yes," chorused the three forlorr
damsels, chats it, exactly"
Katherine, according to her name. was
tall and stately. Emily was slender and
blue eyed, with a pretty droop of her
head that made you think of a broken
lily.
As for Rosamond, she was hall
woman, half schoolgirl as she stood
there, surreptitiously eating chocolates
out Of her dress pocket.
Aunt Adams folded the newspaper and
laid it down. She put the eyeglasses
into their case.
"Humph!" said she. "And what
reason have you for supposing that l
want three grea. lazy girls herel'
Katherine drew herself up. Emily
began to cry. Rosamond started for
ward with crimson cheeks and eyes
ablaze.
I'VE are not asking any favors Of you,
aunt Adams said she. "We only
want to be put in the way of earning a
living for ourselves"
"Oh, that's all, is it2" said Mrs.
Adams.
Eyes, that's all, ," sobbed Emily
eyes, indeed, that's all!' said vche.
ment Katherine.
"What can you do2" asked Aunt
Adams, with painful abruptuess.
The three girls looked obviously al
each other.
81 can paint little" murmured
Katherine.
81 can play on the either, " said Emily,
smiling through her tears.
Il made some mince pies last week, >
suggested Rosamoud, hopefully.
"dumph" commented Aunt Adams,
after an embarrassing silence. s'lf that's
all, l don't see what's to keep you out
of the poorhouse, all three of YOU"
Once more the girls looked piteously
at each other. They could not say what
was in their minds-that they had ex.
pected as a matter of course that Aunt
Adams would take them in and make 4
home for them-but they felt good
deal like three female Robinson Crusoes
on very desert island.
"Well, remarked Aunt Adams, Hyou
look blue ana cold. Come a little closer
to the fire, aud get warm. Betsey," tC
the maid, "bring in some hot chocolate
aud mullins. While you are eating and
drinking, I'll consider what is to be
done
All her life long, Mrs. Adams had
congratulated herself on keeping free
from troublesome responsibilities, and
perhaps it was rather hard that in her
old age these three women had settled
down upon her like unsolved problems
1t is not to be denied that the old lady
was little inclined to be selfish. Old
people who have lived alone often are.
And If there had been only one niece,
Aunt Adams might possibly have adopted
her. But three of theml
81 have ItH said she, all of a sudden.
"Mrs. EcCleston was telling me last
week that she needed nursery COVER
ness for her seven little girls. That will
do very well for Katherine. The salary
is not large, but the home is all that car
be desired. .,--.
Seven little girls r. gasped Katherine.
"Why not seven2" retorted Mrs.
Adams. you don't suppose, do you,
that people are going to pay you salary
for doing nothingl III write a note tc
Mrs. 'Eccleston this very morning. Aad
remember hpap,1g, when | took thost
Venetian views to the photographers to
be mounted, that Mr.. Kodack was with
out an attendant in the gallery. Photo
graphing is very genteel business.
hiak it would suit Emily exactly. II
write the address. She can go there al
once, or the place viii be filed. As fol
Rosamoni, why, there's the position thai
NY old friend, Miss Biodgett, used t.
have at AIjddleton's curiosity shop. Tht
very incest people go to MiddIeton's, an(
it isn't hard work to dust the vases, auC
catalogue the curios, and all that sort Of
thing. Miss Blodgett would De there
row, only her eyes have failed
And thus promptly Mrs Ada rs bowIei
her three piuees into their places, aud
shifted off the responsibility which she
already began to feel Irksome.
Mrs. Eccieston was one OF those
typical New York matroas who make a
great society show on very little money,
aud Katherine Hayward found herself
ioiug the gorl of parlor maid and nurse,
ts well as govcrness, for salary SC
mea2re as TO be almost ridiculous.
Emily was kept busy in Mr. KoIack' S
gallery from morning till night, and poor
liosamuad spent her days in the dim