The Newtown bee. (Newtown, Conn.) 1877-current, 1899-12-08

an inefficient wife and twin babies on his
hands. So mo wonder seraphine was
needed TO straighten the smaller house
into which they were obliged to move
and TO cook, sew, tend the babies-and
listen 60 Mrs Lesure's continual COM
plants.
This state OF things went ON for half
dozen years. Then Mr. Leisure died, and
Seraphine, not vet "a years old, but
feeling 40, was left with q helpless step
mother and the six-year-old twins, Doro-
thy and Jean, upon her hands.
1--WE will have to take boarders, y sigh
ed Mrs Leisure. "Singh gentlemen, of
course,--for they will pay better and be
/ much less exacting than ladies.''
'sCouldn'f we take just lodgers?" said
Seraphine--who did the cooking.
| mercy, no! We couldn't make bali
SO much cut OF lodgersl And besides,
the society OF gentlemen at meal times
will be agreeable. But we won't take
any very young men," Mrs Leisure add
ed, glaneing at seraphine, "they are
much too unsteady, as q rule.
| SO, after short time. two boarders
came to occupy their two best rooms.
One was staid elderly bachelor,
Charles Hammond by name, easy and
agreeable. And although Seraphine had
Threaded the advent OF 3. stranger, che
soon found him q kind and considerable
friend. -
Their second boarder was Wallace
Keene, snowy superb sort Of man
and great talker, fond Of telling his
own adventures, and even Boosting of
his cor quests, at times. Seraphine dis
liked him thoroughly and could not un.
derstand her stepmother's federation OF
him.
But with their third spare room they
had less luck. All sorts and conditions
OF men occupied it in turn-but had prov
ed over-fastidious or had not paid their
beard. so it seemed providential when
one morning Mr. Hammond said to Mrs
Leisure, II have just heard from nay nep'
hew, who has been in the West for some
years. He ia returning now, and writes
that he will come directly to me. The
boy is evidently under the impression
that am living In bache lor'e qua rters, as
was when he went away. Now I CAM
communicate with him, as he Ia already
on his way, and so hope that you Cal
accommodate him here-for q time al
least?"
Mrs Leisure was delighted-as Mr. Ham
mond knew she would be--but she mad'
it her policy always to demur. 80
course I'd like to obiige you, Mr. Ham
mond, and temporarily we might be. abb
to accommodate the young gentleman
But-and can speak freely to you,
D know on account Of Seraphine | hav
: always objected to taking young mel
z permanently into my family"
"Set your mind at rest then, madam,
said Mr. Hammond with his usual court
~ illness. Frank is 40 years old-if he i
,r a day!"
q A week later Frank Hammond arrived
,r brown, bluff and hearty. And while b
, was surprised to find mis- uncle in a"board
:. ing house. he was satisfied to stay o.
there "until he could look about him.
, And Mrs Leisure, with her childish
4 prettiness and little airs, amused him
.r Wallace Keene, with his absurd affecta
1. Itions disgasted him, while Seraphine
\. Iserious, selfforgetful and Away
- thoughtful for others, with her two de
:. voted but troublesome little step-sisteI
ALWAYS hanging upon her, intereste
Il him.
" He was man OF varied experiences
- and the hardships he had encounte red ha
q left their lines upon his face, though hi
"a genial, kindly humor had kept him youn
"a at heart. He soon realized he had foun
q Ia pleasant haven. and felt contented {
Ietay on there ''for another month" An
i. 30 - months passed by and found hir
4 till living there.
81 Then it was that Seraphine's steI
r mother exploded bomb beneath th
Y feet OF Seraphine and two OF her board
II ers by her amazing announcement tina
D she had that day become the wife c
Wallace Keene. But-she fastened
l. add-everythirg in the house would &
d on just az usual, except that Mr. Keen
| would now sit at the head of the table
: the seat hitherto occupied by. seraphins
hi Segaphine had o decided chara cter, an