Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1903-03-12

Let me help you, Miss Chickering's"
spoke up Delight Warren impulsively. In
passing the room she had caught sight
of the slender, gray-haired figure bending
to lift mattress far too heavy for Its
strength.
THANK you so much, Miss Delight"
came the painting response.
The girl fell to with all the vigor of
youthful muscles and buoyant good will,
insisting upon helping to make me bed as
we'll as turn the mattress. She observed
with some amusement the old-maidish
precision with which the fussy little body
smoothed and patted the spreads and
shook the pillows into shape.
1t was not the first time that Delight
had been seized with the same impulse.
AS boarder who spent much time In the
house, she had opportunity to observe the
struggles and hardships of this family. 1t
was rather numerous family OF sisters,
cousins and aunts, all of whom were more
or less dependent upon the one source OF
revenue. Upon the frail shoulders of the
older members seemed to devolve the
chief mana cement and hardest work.
The room must be ready by Ave" said
Miss Chickering, jerkily and with diff
Guilty. She had pillow between her
teeth, striving to insert it in fresh white
case.
Expecting new boarder?" ventured
Delight.
mot a boarder-an old friend coming to
stay a week Perhaps you've heard me
mention the Hoilingsworths, have you! a
very fine old family"
''Oh, yes" assented Delight, trying to be
interested. If they were friends of Miss
Chickering's she had no doubt of their an
Client lineage. Everyone and everything
connected with the Chickering family was
old. The very atmosphere Of the house
breathed antiquity.
80 you see," went on the prim little
head of the establishment, as she removed
nimsy cover from the old-fashioned
bureau and substituted dainty one of
embroidered linen, I'VE are trying to put
the best foot forward In entertaining our
guest"
Certainly, 1 see. So you expect her
| at 81"
Him" corrected Miss Chickering. Its
Mr.. Hollingsworth, the son.
49,. commented Delight. But she felt
| no quickening interest The very fact OF
his being fated TO cross the threshold OF
| this house stamped him in her mind al
| ready as impossible. Only that sort ever
gravitated to the Chickering abode.
He's on his way to Europe" continued
Miss Chickering. HE crosses nearly every
year and always remains in New York q
| week or SO. --lthough he has many
l
home his stopping place for the time. It's
the idea of old ties with him rather thar
| the foolish notion of style"
Delight repressed a smile. The picture
seemed SO improbable.
Miss Chickerlng was struggling now t.
| open a bureau drawer that stuck. III
must be cleaned out" she said, land lined
with fresh papers,"
An impatient voice called her from thu
kitchen. "Abigail Abigail!'
Dear me-.hey're waiting for me-ant
the room not even busted yeti"
please let me do 1T all-indeed, Ia lik'
to-1've nothing else to just now.''
Very well-thank you, ever SO much
Here-take this apron-and there's dus
cap In the drawer"
Delight entered into the work with tn
zeal of one who. unaccustomed to house
hold duties. seeks diversion In a new form
of exercise. But she lacked dispatch. !