The Dupuyer acantha. [volume] (Dupuyer, Mont.) 1894-1904, 1897-03-11
STORM BROUGHT
GOOD LUCK.

Prince Albert, who was the gardener.
| Victoria drove into town and sold the
vegetables and fruits he raised. 1t
was their only means of support, m
since their fathers death the receipts
had so fallen off that the family
mother and baby being the rest of it
were in danger of losing their home
through inability to keep up interest
payments on the mortgage.
Victoria had all that in her mind as
she drove up to the house, and after a
| glance skyward at the threatening
clouds, sprang from the cart. saying to
herself as she tied Molly's halter:
Father said Mr.. Marcus. in the real
estate firm that we bought u place
FROM, was his friend. l remember
that, but ever since father dice they
have been away. because Mrs. Marcus
died, too, just before father. and Mr..
Marcus has been Ill. The girls, Eve
lyn and Harriet will help me to see
their father, if he's home, and I'm GO
ing to-day to see."
There was a quivering stiffness in
| luS Ill III al NIuhSS SIooo" co
creeping up the sky, but Victoria, in
tent upon her errand, paid no more at
tention to the gathering storm, though
many of the passers-by looked up anX-
iously as they hurried along the street.
''They are surely home" she thought
%joyouSly; II knew l didn't say my
prayers so hard. and see the moon
right for nothing" And she drew a
basket of snowy fresh eggs III from
under the seat and walked up to the
door.
Esther, the parlor maid, opened the
door in response to Victoria's knock.
ooh, here's Victoria. with fresh
| eggs" she cried. I'm pleased enough,
child, to see then. We got home this
morning, and you know Mr.. Marcus
has been awfully sick since his wife
died, and he don't eat anything. hard
ly; so I'm glad to get these fresh eggs
to tempt him."
80, Hester said Victoria, eagerly,
"~d-d-d-dO you think l could see
him just a bit? I'd not worrit him,
but it's awfully necessary for me to
see him. and Victoria's eyes filled
with tears.
II don't know" began Esther, doubt
fully. 1.-THE doctor doesn't want him to
talk business; but I'll ask Miss Eve
lyn and Miss Harriet; they can tell
you more about it than can. Ill take
the eggs in to cook, and you come in
Victoria and the girls We're great
friends, so she sat on the edge of a
chair, looking expectantly at the door,
her cheeks dimpling and her eyes shin
ing.
Presently in rushed two little maids
who dashed at her with a big hug.
ooh, here's our dear Victoria ?" they
cried, 'just in time for our tea party
what do you think. Victoria! sale
Evelyn. Papa had all the old par
of the house up stairs made into thu
biggest, loveliest play room you ever
saw, while we were gone, so we woult
not miss mother-quite so much" sht
added, with a little sob, hiding he:
face ON Victoria's neck.
Victoria knew-she had an ache il
her heart, too, for her dear father, tina
even hard work and never-failin:
cheerfulness could not entirtly deaden
But in a minute she remembered he
errand.
Can I see your father, do yo'
think - she asked. ITS so needful
should, you see," she continued.
Evelyn patted the cheek nearest heI
Eyes, I'll ask him, and then | tell yo1
what; you come up afterwards. an
We'll give you some truly tea"
"Out of a truly brass tea kettle, wit
really steam coming out of it's cur
ming nose" finished Harriet.
Victoria laughed.
ia love to come better than any
thing she said, 'if the storm won
come soon and brighten Molly"
CO thnr oil won't a1nno tho hpa Mfr
hall to the library door, which Evely
softly entered, leaving Victoria on tn
threshold.
1t was dark with the coming storm
but MI. Marcus, sitting at his writin
table, touched a button that t1oOde
! the room with electric light.
t What is it, Evelyn" he asked
: what do you want, dear?
"Oh, papa" said Evelyn, going u
to his side, "do you remember Vic
; toria. our vegetable girl, that we toll
I you about? She used to bring us sue
good vegetables, and let us drive bt
r hind her Molly, her horse. Sometime
many escapes to his god angel G
Albert, her brother, came, and som
times she, and-and-mother like
them same as we did and Away
: bought their things. She wants to sc
: you, papa, dear"
r ITO see me?' said Mr.. Marcus, su,
prised.
' "Yes, dear, and then she's coming u
stairs to have tea with us" SO Evely
t and Harriet raced up stairs to &C
b ready for their guest.
:, While Victoria stood forward niue
> scared, and a little blinded with til
light. my father was Henery Hobb
SIR she said, with a funny little cou
Y tesy, and he said you We're h
friend" she began.
= "Hobbs?' said Mr.. Marcus after
: minute. YES, yes, Of course, he wa
e our porter at the office and bought h
8 little place of us. Yes, indeed, l remen
|, Der him we'll. Is he ILL.," he asked.
Dead, sir" said Victoria, her roun
: chin q%uivering fast. And we are b
J, hind with the money, and the firm 'aV
G said we must pay or go. We will pa
9 in time, sir, every cent, but now W
:. cannot at cnce, but will do it as SOC
!" as we can"
n Mr.. Marcus face was troubled. "Yt
e know. Victoria, l have had troubl
!. too" he began, and she nodded b
head with quick sympathy. 'If -
been at the office this wCu'C ),
e have happened. l had a gre Y r,spe
l. for YOU father; he was honest as IL
r sum-, and he probably saved my Ii
O. once"
. Victoria looked up with a start.
u UDi6 ha payar toll Won ahOut If NVa