Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1896-01-30

to work to help support the family.
Kate gave music lessons, Julia
went out as governess, Blanche
taught school until her health gave
way under the school-room duties,
and Clara helped her mother in the
home.
Blanche longed for the country,
but she could not go away and board
in the country, for that would in
volve too large an outlay for people
in their reduced circumstances. But
if she could hire to Aunt Brown and
hide her identity, she felt sure she
could get along capitally.
Blanche had hard work to gain
the consent of her parents, but they
finally gave reluctant consent.
Tom wrote to Mrs. Brown that
there was q girl who lived near his
home, who was very anxious fol
a good country home. That she
was quick and willing, and he thought
she would do her work much better
than her former help.
Tom took the letter over and read
it to Blanche. After much laughing
Tom was "sworn to secrecy" and
the letter was sent.
In few days came the answer
"Send her at once"
Blanche was delighted. She
packed her trunk with plenty of
stout dresses, and in short time was
safe at Mrs. Browns.
Mrs. Brown was rather daunted al
the appearance of her help. Blanche
Ashworth told the gazer that she
was girl of no ordinary calibre.-
She was tall, refined, delicate look
ing girl, with fine head, beautiful
eyes, otherwise not handsome, but
possessed peculiar attractiveness.
{" What is your name," asked Mrs.
Brown. "Tom failed to mention
it.D
My name is Blanche Johnson"
GA very pretty name. Are your
parents living"
"Yes, but please, Mrs. Brown, do
not ask me about my home or nv
people. 1 shall try to do my duty,
but do not wish to talk about these
things for reasons known only to
myself"
Blanche was constant wonder to
the Browns. She was 80 bright, so
interesting, and did her work so
well that they treated her more like
a daughter than their 4" hired help.n
One fine June morning there came
letter to Mrs. Brown from her
nephew, DR.. Paul English, saying
he would be there in few days to
spend few weeks with them.
Mrs. Brown was delighted. She
and Blanche made grand prepara-
tions for the coming guest, and
Blanche was told great deal about
this scholarly nephew. He had been
abroad for several years and was
now on his way home.
Blanche listened with interest.
She found herself looking forward
to his visit with eagerness, then she
would get angry at herself. He
would pay but little attention to his
Aunt's hired help, she thought, with
some bitterness.
Al last the nephew arrived.
He was fine, manly fellow, with
a quiet face, and putting aside its
manly beauty, it was a grand face,
because OF its look of latent strength,
and you felt instinctively that 1t
was a true face.
He often spoke kindly to Blanche,
and she found him looking at her
steadily many times.
"Aunt Ruth" said DR.. Paul, one
day, "tell me something of this girl
who helps with your work. She
certainly has not the appearance of
the average girl who goes out to
work."
"There never lived a more per-
feet lady," said Mrs. Brown, land
1 must say she is puzzle to me, but
1 can't tell you her history, for 1
don't know it to tell"
She then related how she happened
to be there, while DR.. Enslreh lis
tened attentively.
He wondered at himself for being
so attracted by this girl.
One day she was in the cool, shady
porch Smelling peas for dinner.
DIR. English sauntered in saying
carelessly, "Let me help you"
Blanche accepted his proffered as
sistance with a strange little fiutter
about the heart.
They talked very pleasantly, and
this was not their last talk. She was
so intelligent that this dignified doc
tor sought many opportunities to
talk with her.
He found that this young girl
could talk unusually we'll. She
could be witty, epigrammatic and
interesting upon almost any subject,
and that without a particle of Pc
dantry.
Blanche vowed that she would
keep out of his way, for, Of course,
DIR. English would neyer cara for no