Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1898-08-14
ONLY A HELPER.
By E. F.


said Mrs. Renault, an extensively
dressed widow of about % to a young
lady seated next to her at the tea-ta bic
of Mrs. Conradfs boarding house.
Why, so there is a stranger pres
ent,' said Miss Antoinette Murray. Il
Gid not notice her at first. | don't be-
IleVe she is boarder here Josephine. "
We'll, Nettle, then sne probably is
some acquaintance of Mrs. Conrad. |
recollect Mrs. Conrad said she was
hoping Miss Ella West would come
and help here about some Of the lighter
duties OF housekeeping
Mrs. Grierson," SAID Mrs. Conrad.
when the boarders had already all lett
the dinng-room, ALLOW me 10 into
duce to you Miss Ella West. Ella is
here to assist NE, as my household
cares have become so numerous"
AND there was NO condescension in
Mrs. Grierson's manner, as she ad-
dressed to the young lady some words
of welcome.
mere are many ways" continued
Mrs Conrad, in which Ella can be of
service to me. l have a cook who is
intelligent and experienced, but some
OF the others | employ do not under
stand how to attend to their work. |
often at meal times find the table illy
arranged by the waitress, and Norah,
after she leaves the parlor and sitting
room in what she considers prime or
DER, often needs a good deal OF in
structlon about their more orderly ar
rahgement. L want Ella to help me
IN managing and doing light work"
AND | think you will find your cares
lessened," said Mrs. Grierson. How
do you like Mrs. Conrad's plan, Miss
West?"
81 like it," said Ella, with pleas
ant smile. while being of help to
you, Mrs. Conrad, l hope to acquire
some additional lessons in housekeep-
ing myself. | am very glad of the OBJ
portunity'
The other boarders were introduced
to Ella by Mrs. Conrad during the even
ing; but they evidently considered her
person of little Importance, and paid
scarcely any attention to her.
The next morning, at breakfast time
the table in the dining room looked
much prettier than usual. Plainly
some ono of refined tastes had superln-
tended its arrangement, and through
the open windows, sweet with the rag
rance of flowers, came in the cool,
pleasant, morning air.
Mrs. Renault, soon after coming in,
said, Coed morning, Miss West" very
distantly Miss Murray followed. re-
garded Ella haughtily, but did not adj
dress her at all. Then, after a while,
came Mr.. Adolphus Drummond, "a
vain, egotistical young mani, who
seemed 10 think it scarcely worth while
to notice a young lady at all, who wore
sucn a plain morning dress as did Ella
He appeared very proud, however, to
be recognized by the naughty Miss An
toinette Murray, who was attired in
paleblue cambria, trimmed with valen-
ciennes lace, and who gave her orders
in a very consequential manner.
AS the days went on, Mrs. Conrad
soon found her cares were lessened,
and many Improvements visible in the
And Ella did not re-
greet coming because some of the board
ers chose to treat her with indiffer-
ence, and some Of the proudest even
with disdain. But Mrs. Grierson was
not included among these, She was
lady who had boarded with Mrs. Con-
rad for several successive seasons and
was treated by them with good deal
of respect and politeness.
Il wish Josephine said Miss Muir
rey to Miss Renault one pleasant morn
ing. that we could have some COM
pany invited for an evening next
week"
mo, not next week, Nettie," said
Mrs. Renault II would rather defer
it. There is another boarder expected
but not sooner than the fifteenth"
'fWho?"
mr.. Hugh Danforth He boarded
here last season for several weeks be-
fore l left. He is wealthy, about 80,
and unmarried"
ooh, we'll defer 1t, then of course.
| suppose Mrs. Conrad will be obliging
enough to let us have the parlor for
small evening party. Who DC you want
invited Josephine?"
"Well. Nettie, Mr.. and Mrs. Schuy-
ler-they have both called, you know;
Reuben Ogden and his sister Matilda,
and Mr.. and Mrs. Marvin and their
daughter, Mr.. jones and Mr. Lee and
the Doarders here; also, merely as a
form of politeness, Mrs. Conrad, l sup
pose"
Il don't want Miss West invited"
I'm sure l don't"
81 saw her half an hour ago in the
dining -room," said Miss Murray, con-
temptuously. helping the waitress
with some of the breakfast dishes"
"Oh." said Mrs. Renault, carelessly.
Il don't care to consider Miss Ella
among my acquaintance"
After Mr.. Danforth came, Mrs. Re-
nault and Miss Murray proceeded with
their arrangements for the company
Refreshments we're ordered from the
village. and Mrs. Conrad requested to
engage a waiter for the evening. Peo-
pie not boarding at the house were first
invited. and Mrs Conrad had no idea
that Ella had not been asked to be
present. until she found her alone in
the dining-room some time after the
guests had begun 70 arrive.
why, Ella" she exclaimed, with
some indignation, sis it possible they
have sighted you in their inyitations?'