The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1895-02-27

had lost somewhat of its sparkle, and
the world looked less bright, as she
iourneyed toward her new home with
Uncle Ben's newspaper rattling at her
side. As the twilight began to fall
her thoughts became busy, as wo-
mans will, at times.
''Uncle," she said, turning suddenly
toward the old gentleman, "what sort
of n house is it-ours, I mean2"
swell, said Uncle Ben, renectively,
"it's cottage, I should say"
"a modern cottage?"
"Well, no; rather on the antique
order than otherwisel"
"Oh," cried Rachel. "I'm glad
despise these new, stiff places, that
look as if merely to be admired, not
lived in and enjoyed. Uncle, what
are you laughing nt?"
"At your curiosity, my denr."
"Then l won't ask another ques-
ton"
But she fully atoned for that depri-
walton by sketching on the tablets of
her own fancy an endless variety of
little Gothic erections, with bay-win-
dows and trellises, while Uncle Bene-
dict watched her from behind the
screen of his newspaper, with the
queerest of expressions ON his brown
old face.
'Tm almost sorry commenced the
thing" he said to himself. "If /
should be disappointed in her! But,
pooh it's the only way to find out If
she is worth my boys Lowell"
Presently the numbering old coun-
try conveyance came to n standstill-
but, to Rachel's surprise, in front of
no fairy cot or low-eaved edifice sur
rounded by verandas and hower-par-
terres. A tumble-down, unpainted
farmhouse stood little back from
the road, with its shutters hanging
loosely by one hinge, and one or two
scrubby bushes forlornly tossing in
the wind A well-sweep, mute wit
ness of by-gone days, lowered up in
rear, and cat darted under the cell
lar windows.
"How dreary it looksl" thought
Rachel, with little shudder, as she
glanced round to see whether the fat
woman opposite or the lank young
gentleman by her side we're going to
alight. But neither stirred.
Uncle Ben seized his carpet-bag and
umbrella.
"Come, my DEAR" he said to
Rachel; she started instinctively for
ward.
'Is this the place?"
"This is the place"
Poor Rachel What we're her SEN
sations rs she looked blankly around
the neglected, dismal spot which was
the sole realization of her fairy
dreams? This the home Uncle Ben
had given them And for an instant
she felt as if she could repel the un-
welcome gift, and tell Uncle Benjamin
plainly that she could not spend her
days in hovel like this.
But then came sober second
thoughts. Uncle Ben had meant
kindly; they were poor, and could
not afford to dispense with even the
meanest of roofs over their heads.
No, she must accept the present in the
spirit in which it was given, and
check in the bud all her rebellious
and unamiable repinings.
81 told you it was cottage. you
know" said Uncle Ben, keenly scru-
tinizing her face.
eyes, I know" said Rachel, glanc-
ing round with Frightening eyes.
"That is very choice climbing rose
over the window, if it was only prop
erly trained"
"Its ratLer lonesome, said Uncle
Ben.
81 like the country" Rachel an.
swered, hopefully.
As she spoke n slipshod old woman
appeared to let them in, and led the
way to the best room, n green-paper.
curtained apartment, with fire in
the fireplace that emitted considerably
more smoke than caloric.
"Smoky chimneys, eh?" said Uncle
Ben.
"The draught seems to be poor,
said Rachel; ''but dare say it car
be fixed" "
az hadn't any idea the ceiling
were so low," grumbled the old gen
tlemnn.
"It's partly the effect of the wall