Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1894-10-05

AT home, h" said Sydney rather mourn
fully. "Or, rather, tired myself out yes
terday going to three different schools In
want of teachers, but they were all filed
up before got there'
Il am sorry have not been able to help
you more, +" said Mr.. Holt, with a little
remorse in his tone. but it is next door
to impossible. Everything is so crowded.
However, am forgetting what 1 came to
tell you, and must make haste, because
1 am going out of town again tomorrow,
anu L am very Dusy. IA 1rIenu Ut mIno
who is writing a book has had an accident
and can't use his eyes for a time He Is
Worry AuS nIuIsCIL W uUdUu aDOUU AZ anu
wants to get some one to help him. 1t
must be some one up in the classics, be-
cause there are a lot Of Greek quotations,
so 1 suggested you, and he would like you
to go around tomorrow afternoon. There's
the address" He threw q card on the
table as he spoke and got up to go.
but shall 1 be able to do what he
wants'" said Sydney doubtfully.
"Oh, yes. told him all about you,
you know, and he thought you would do"
There were many other things that
Sydney wanted to ask, but her cousin was
in hurry to be off, and she could not de-
tain him. She stood for long time with
the card in her hand after he had gone, as
though it could tell her all the things that
he had left unsaid.
"Oliver Leigh, 6 Lincoln Gardens. "
That was all. She had never heard the
name before and it conveyed nothing to
her mind. But she had no doubt about
going, for her funds were so low that 1t
seemed to her sometimes as though star
Ration was not far off. Her hopes had
been very high when she got her degree
and started on a career in London, but as
she learned more and more Of the over
stocked condition of the teaching world
they had sunk lower and lower. Her
cousin had no influence there, but he had
procured her a few pieces of literary hack
work from time to time, which just kept
her head above water
She set out about o'clock next
afternoon and made her way to LincolR
Gardens. 1t was as dull and damp day
as the previous one had been, and she de-
bated within herself whether she should
not do her dress more than 10 pence worth
of damage by walking. However, she had
only shillings in hand to last to the end
VI bllt Wtth, NJ Blu DlGhth lSI way no NOll
as she could through the mud.
Lincoln Gardens was reached at last,
and having pressed the electric bell at tho
door dirty little boy in buttons admitted
her.
Mr.. Leigh he said in answer to her
inquiry. "Yes, 'e's in. Third floor" and
30 saying he disappeared down o passage,
leaving Sydney to make her way up.
The door at the head Of the third stair
case stood open, and her timid knock was
answered bya voice, in obedience to which
she entered The room formed strong
contrast to her own. A bright fire burned
on the hearth, throwing its loaping lights
and shadows over the picture covered
walls and the soft hues of carpet and cur
tains. But Sydney's eyes were not at
tracted by the room. They were fixed in
mute surprise upon It's owner She had
expected to see an elderly, gray headed
man like her cousin, but the hair that APP
peared over the bandages was thick and
dark, and the figure in the armchair was
that of q man in the prime of youth. She
was so taken aback that she hesitated on
the threshold uncertain what to do, but
in the meantime he could not see her, and
she was obliged to speak.
my cousin, Mr. Morris Holt, asked me
to call on you today about some work., "
she said.
ooh, yes Come in," said Leigh. eek
cuse my getting up. I'm rather lame.
Holt was here yesterday and said he
thought you could do what want, but
should think you're very young by your
voice"
Sydney thought that his manners were
decidedly peculiar, but she knew that she
must not mind such things as these.
eyes, am young" she said, "but have
taken the B, A. degree at tho London uni
vorsity, and have had some experience
in literary work too"
"Oh, well, l dare say you'll do all right"
said Leigh. IN try you anyhow. My
doctor says I mustn't do moro than three
hours work a day at present. He's a
chum of mine, who comes in every morn
ing to bandage me up for the day and all
that kind of thing, so we had better work
from 2 till g. if that will suit you"
VERY well indeed" said Sydney.
"All right then. We ought to finish tho
work in fortnight. l hope you can write
clear hand. Oh, and about terms! VIII.
2 guineas week do for your"
Certainly" said Sydney, who had not
dared to expect so much.
1--WE may as well begin at once then.
You'll find the papers on the writing
table. Tell me when you are ready"
Sydney arranged the papers and began
to write. The book was one dealing with
certain aspects of Greek drama, and tho
quotations made the work difficult, but
the subject was one which thoroughly in
terested her, and the time sped rapidly.
Five O'Clock chimed out at last from the
little clock on the mantelpiece, and Leigh
gave a satisfied sigh. II suppose we must
STOP" he said, 'or I shall get into row
with my doctor. However, we've got on
capitally, so won't complain. Be sure
you como punctually tomorrow.
II will be certain to be here, " said Sgd
ney, opening the door as she spoke.
"All right, and if you see your cousin
you can tell him 1 think you'll do very
well. You really have very decent
amount of scholarship, though I should
think you're not much more than boyI'
Sydney gave a startled little gasp as he
the last words and escaped before
he could add anything more. So this was
the meaning of his cursory remarks and
his offhand waysl Morris had evidently
only spoken of her as his cousin" with
out mentioning her name or even If he
had mentioned it 1t would have told moth
ing unless he added an explanation. Why
had she not been called Ada or Caroline
instead of Sydney?