The Republican journal., 1899-01-26
A SUMMER IDYL.
BY ELLA ALWILDA WENTWORTH.

ironing, She made pretty picture stand
ing there. and yet the sweet grlish face
was not one that a stranger would have
pronounced strictly beautiful 1t was too
pale, and weary look lay over it ike a
shadow Her greatest charm lay in her
eyes; beautiful eyes of deepest violet firing
ed with long silken lashes. The door
opened and her mother entered. At sight
of her the troubled look on Blanches
face vanished and she smiled cheerfully.
Mrs. Carleton sank into chair smooth
ing her apron nervously Blanche! she
said at last with an effort, 81 have some
thing to say to you; l have been looking
over our little store of money this morn
ing and l find we have not quite fifty dol
lars in the world and after we pay the
man who helps us with the farm work we
shall not have penny left. Now what
shall we do? can think of but one thing
and that is to take a few summer board
ers. ~ Blanche dropped her iron and faced
her mother as though she thought she
had taken leave Of her senses.
Take boarders, mother? Why how can
we? They will want everything nice, and
of course We cannot get it tor them and
they would not stay in this plain, old farm
house a week" Mrs. Carleton smiled
You forget. my daughter, that city peo
pie like rest and quiet after winter of
tIn,D -
fresh eggs, milk strawberries and cream,
etc, and ! think they will be satisfied
As fol the old farm think it is pretty
spot
Mrs Carleton spoke truly 1t was pref
y spot. The picturesque old house nes-
lied at the foot of a green hill which was
covered with thick growth of maple and
oak AT the right a broad expanse Of
held ana meadow clothed in the verdure
OF summer lay fair in the sunlight. On
the eft were fields of growing wheat and
corn waving their tender blades and pen
u5ns in the fresh breeze. In front lay a
smooth sweep OF velvet lawn, dotted here
and there with beds of flow rs Just now d
mass ul riotous bloom. Blanche drew a
long sigh. eyes, mother, tits pretty place
10 us bul ] dread the thought of strangers
coming bore They may be proud and
naughty and snu5 us all
Blanche, lear have thought of that
myself, but what can we do. We must live,
and bate t. AXE Berta from school. She
graduates next term, you know" "Yes,
m otheI, know. suppose we Shall have to
advertise, shall we not?'' les, dear, we will
write the notice to- day" 81 will write it
now, mother. and have it over with as soon
US possible" A look of relief came over
Mrs. Carleton's face as she left the room
Il am glad Blanche took it so easily"
she thought. She is SO proud and sensitive
I dreaded to speak to her about it. | do
not like the idea any better than she does,
but it seems the only way we can earn a
little money The tears dimmed her
eyes as she thought of the companion of
all her Joys and SORROWS, who for three
years had been lying cold and still in the
church-yard. While he lived she had never
known a care, but he was gone and all the
burden had devolved upon her own and
Blancht's slender shoulders. Blanche
finished her ironing and then wrote the
advertisement. On her way to the post
office she met her sister. ''Why, Berta,
whaf sends you home from school 50
early 30 sob, Blanche, such goodnews. Our
teacher is i'll and the doctor has ordered
her to give UP teaching for two months.
Ism that good news?'
''Why, Bertar' said Blanche, smiling in
spite Of herself. "Do you call your
teachers illness good news?" ooh dear,
no, thai ism what mean, Blanche am
awtuly sorry she is i'll OF course, but just
think of tile good times we will have in
those two months. Il don't know
about the good times, Bert, | have some
thing to tell you; mother is going to take
SUNNI er boarders." blanche Carleton.
you do not mean it?' "Most certainly l
do" Berta snatched her hat from off the
mass of tangled curls and execut d
dance that would have done credit to
wild Indian. Blanche gazed at her in
astonishment, "Why Alberta Carleton,
what on earth is the matter with you?
Have you taken leave of your senses?'
''Not quite, but, sis, aren't you glad?"
GLAD why Berta, l am sorry, just think,
our quiet home life will be broken up by
4 lot Of proud fashionable people who
will order US about like servants" And
Blanches lip quivered and her eyes filled
with tears. Berta's lip curled scornfully
while her dark eyes flashed ''They had
better not try to order me about much, if
shey do they will have hard task, I
think. But what nonsense we are talking,
Just as likely as not they may be a lot of
old maids and ancient widowers. If they
are, won't just have jolly time match
making" and her eyes sparkled mischiev-
ously. Blanche laughed and twining her
arm about her sisters waist they walked
on together.
Two weeks later the guests arrived.
They were comprised of Mrs. Trevor, her