The Van Buren press., 1897-04-24
A GIRLS STRATAGEM.
by CLARA L. DURSHAM.

OF its pretty name. 1t was a western
suburban village. and with it's numer-
GUS saloons and untidy streets present
ed a repulsiye appearance to all but the
property-owners. who were biding
;heir time.
Mrs. Billy Stevens was one OF those
property-owners. Yes. the little store
stocked with candy and books for the
reighboring school. children, and a
heterogeneous lot of dry goods for their
parents, was in her name. Billy was
only partner in it on sufferance. In
deed, most of BilIy's rights were al
lowed him on sufferance-eyen the
privilege of giving home to his orphan
niece, who had no one in the world to
look to but him; but he was faithful
accomplishing individual. Mrs. Stew
ems could not have procured another
mau-of-all- work who would have been
so loyal to her interests and accepted so
slight a return. Three meals day, as
a perquisite, corner to smoke his pipe
Ia at evening, was all he required to con-
tent him. By which it will be seen that
sonage perhaps not an admirable one;
nut his niece Lucy loved him with all
her heart.
She had come to her uncle nearly
year ago. just after her nineteenth
birthday. His wife looked her over
with sharp, swift consideration, and
pending decision 10 send her about her
business, had consented to try to make
her useful about the store. Now, it was
very incapable individual whom Mrs.
Stevens could not make use of If she I'M
5crtook 1t, and Lucy soon had no time
70 mourn the loss of home or parents.
She vibrated between the living rooms
ri the back of the building and the shop
itself during the livelong day. She had
not even leisure to consider whether
she was cook. chambermaid or clerk
the offices of all three were so strangely
intermingled in her life; and Mrs.
Stevens. when she beheld Billy busy
In the shed chopping wood, and Lucy
leaving her dishes to skip with alacrity
INTO the store at TIE GALL of its sharp
bell, could congratulate herself COM
placently on the possession of executive
ability and take the train for town to
make purchases for the emporium of
Stevens & Co.
Events were moving on in this salts
factory manner when Mrs. Stevens son
came home. Yes, it is true that even
Philip didn't belong to Billy, either
The name father" was another priv
iloge allowed him from his wife's
Bounty; for Philip had been ten years
old when Widow Nash married Mr..
Stevens, and this privilege of step-fa-
therhood Billy enjoyed perhaps more
than of any others, for Phil was a
generous, bright, energetic lad, whose
presence was like a sunbeam, and who
from the first responded to loyable
traits in the kindly playmate his moth
er brought him.
lie had been away from home now for
pome time, learning the carpenters
trade, and one day came back to take a
job on large building going up in the
neighborhood of his mothers store,
He was a tall fellow, with frank eyes
and white teeth; a man for whom the
saloons might yawn in vain; man
who looked as clean and honest rs his
trade; and it is little wonder that at his
homecoming Mrs. Stevens calculation
vanished for once, and she gave Lucy
carte blanche to open preserves, buy
cream, and prepare RS festive a supper
as lay in her power.
When the meal was over that evening
Lucy still sat quite absorbed, listening
with eager, open eyes to the strangers
interesting talk.
you can clear away now" said Mrs.
Stevens. turning to her. impatient even
Of so much time lost from her dear
son.
The girl recalled her attention apd
rose with quiet obedience. and Philip
paused a minute 10 look at her. She had
been mentioned to him when he entered
US Lucy Bates.
''Who is that ?" he asked when she had
carried tray of dishes into the kitchen
oh" Mrs. Stevens tossed her head
rlightly, shes girl I'm giving a home
to-"
Pretty good cook, don't We think,
PHILIP" quavered Billy, not quite satisfied
to have his pet disposed OF in so cav
-lier fashion.
well, should say. II she gets such
meals as that and clears them away aft
trward, l don't think you give her a
home, mother. think She earns IT,"
Mr.. Stevens cast a haf-scared glance
nt his wife, although Phirs tone was
warming to his heart
Mrs. Stevens shifted. II don't keep
idlers around me. Lucy does very well
| viii say she's got more faculty than
her uncle has"
The speakers glaa.e left no doubt as
q the identity OF the delinquent rela-
live.
rs she fathers nieee?" demanded the
Young man. with interest. "Why didn't
you say SOP"
Here the girl returned TO the room for
mother load. To his mothers sur
prise and dismay, Phil rose and went to
ueet her. I've only just found out
that you're my cousin, Lucy. Shake
hands, he said.
The girl flushed from brow to chin as
she put her hand in his No one Lad
given her a cordial smile like that in
uaDy long month, with ;he exception