The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1894-07-05
NELLY'S TRIUMPH.
keep clearinghouse! How dread


"Why, Dora, mamma is quite hope
full about it," said Nelly Dalton. in
some surprise. "She thinks ii she can
obtain a pleasant set of boarders it
will be less lonely for u.s."
"But keeping boarders is so ungen-
teel," said Dora Simmons.
"How many extra servants does
Mrs. Dalton intend to engage?" in
quired Agatha Simmons coolly.
"Only Il cook. Mamma expects to
retain Jane and Bridget, and tho num-
ber of boarders wanted will not exceed
II think Mr.. Montague will 90 there
very seldom If Nelly's mother keeps q
clearinghouse" said Agatha Sim
mons to her sister Dora after Nelly
had concluded her call and left.
"Perhaps, Agatha" said Dora. "you
bad better 90 less frequently to Mrs.
Dalton's Yourself. You know that we
90 in very fashionable society. I
Shouldn't care to have Mrs. Spencer
Hoyt aware that the Daltons were
among our list of acquaintances, it the
clearinghouse scheme is accom-
plished."
For a long time Mr.. Montague had
been attentive to Nelly Dalton, and
Agatha had vainly tried to rival her,
with little, if any, success. But after
Nelly had gone Agatha began to be
really pleased with the idea of the
clearinghouse.
1t was very busy forenoon at Mrs.
Dalton's some two months later.
Bridget was assisting the cook prepar-
ing vegeta bles for the soup, Jane was
ironing, and Mrs. Dalton making
ready the table for luncheon. Nelly
was in the parlor, where she had been
engaged in busting the furniture. She
had Just finished, and was about to
leave the room, when the doorbeu
rang, and she went at once to answer
the summons. Nelly was rather sur
prised, however, when she admitted
Mr.. Montague, as it was unusual for
him to cali at that hour of the day.
He was dressed in the height of fash
ion, and had brought with him very
beautiful bouquet.
Mr.. Montag que had frequently been
entertained in Mrs. Dalton's parlor by
a stylishly dressed young lady, whom
he had greatly admired. Was this
the same Nellie Dalton, wearing q
plain mourning dress and large kitchen
apron? Yes, il was the same, and he
was welcomed as cordially as ever by
her.
y had no idea it was you, Mr.. Mon
tague," she said. 1T is very busy
day with us. Mammals last vacant
room was taken Yesterday"
slave you company staying with
you," inquired Mr.. Montague, that
YOU have extra household cares?"
"Why, Mr.. Montague, there are
eight boarders here now, and that is
why my time, especially during the
busiest days of the week, is so much
more occupied"
~Boarders!" exclaimed Mr.. Monta-
que, then paused for few moments
before continuing: "Miss Dalton,
brought you this bouquet of flowers,
hoping you would deign-l wonder
"Were you looking for your hat, Mr..
Montague?" asked Molly calmly. Il
believe you left it on the hall table,"
After he was gone Nelly sat down
by the table on which were placed the
flowers. She looked at them for a
while-such a choice collection. Then
she thought:
II did admire Mr.. Montague very
much. am sorry to think that he is
so absurd. suppose this dress is not
80 beautiful or very becoming, and
this apron is suitable for kitchen wear.
As to mammals keeping boarding.
house, if he chooses to discontinue his
visits on that account, he is quite vel
come to do So"
Mrs. Spencer Hoyt, who lived in
very handsome house on fashionable
avenue, that same evening received
call from her favorite nephew, Sidney
Lawrence.
Really. Sidney" she said. Il did
not know but you were out of town.
Where are you located at present? At
some hotel, or are you migrating as
usual from one clearinghouse to an
other? Ill-managed, comfortless, I'M
homelike places many of them are"
"Aunt Julia, am boarding not far
from here" said Mr.. Lawrence. "with
a widow named Mrs. Dalton. The
house is managed BY herself, and she
is assisted by her daughter and the
servants. am quite pleased with the
furnishing of the table. 1t is well APP
pointed, and the dinners are excellent
and not scant as to quantity"
"How long is it since you COM
menced boarding there, Sidney"
"Only a week; but the house is so
pleasant and cheerful that think now
/ shall not move. unless something I'M
anticipated occurs again this winter"
And Mr.. Lawrence did continue to
board at Mrs. Dalton's during the win
ter, and few of the other boarders
seemed to care to leave; but when any
did 90 there were speedily applicants
to take their places, and Mrs. Dalton
found her clearinghouse success.
Mr.. Montague, with Agatha Sim
mons, was sometimes seen by Nelly to
pass the house, but they never seemed
by their manner to be aware that any
Of their acquaintance resided there.
Mr.. Lawrence and Nelly had attend
ed more than one concert together.
and though he had often met Nelly
when she was plainly dressed and busy
about household affairs he admired
Lao ->c~1u MT o~;to Y,onoh thon