The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1903-03-13

Let me help you. Miss Chickering!"
spoke up Delight Warren impulsively. In
passing the room she had caught sight
of the slender, gray-haired figure bending
to lift a 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 .lie 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 n
shook the pillows into shape.
1t was not the first time that Delight
had been seized with the same impulse.
AS a boarder who spent much time In the
house, she had opportunity to observe the
struggles and hardships of this family. 1t
was rather a 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 dcvolve the
chief management and hardest work.
The room must be ready by five" said
Miss Chickering, jerkily and with diff
Guilty. She had a pillow between her
teeth, striving to insert it in a fresh white
case.
Expecting a new "boarder?' ventured
Delight.
mot a boardcr-an old friend coming to
stay a week. Perhaps you've heard me
mention the Hollingsworths, have you? A
, very fine old family"
ooh, yes assented Delight, trying to be
interested. If they were friends Of Miss
Chickering's she had no doubt of their an
cient lineage. Everyone and everything
connected with the Chickering family was
old. The very atmosphere of the house
bre athed antiquity.
so you see" went on the prim little
head of the establishment, as she removed
a tlimSy cover from the old-faShioned
! bureau and substituted a dainty one of
embroidered linen, I'VE are trying to put
the best foot Onward in entertaining our
guest"
Certainly, I see. So you expect her
at So"
Him. corrected Miss Chickering. cts
Mr.. Hollingsworth, the son." 49,
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.
Hes on his way to Europe continued
Miss Chickering. HE crosses nearly every
year and always remains in New York a
week or so. %--lthough he has many
friends here, he condescends to make ou1
home his stopping place for the time. It's
the idea of old ties With him rather than
the foolish notion of style.H
Delight repressed a smile. The picture
seemed 50 Improbable.
Miss Chickering was struggling now tc
open a bureau drawer that stuck. at
must be cleaned OUT she said, and lined
with fresh papers,"
An impatient voice called her from the
kitchen. Abigail! Abigail!"
Dear me-they're waiting for me-anG
the room not ever busted yet" .
Please let me do it a~ll-indeed, I'd like
to-IVe nothing else to 40 just now"
Very well-thank you, ever so much
Here-take this apron-and there's a dus1
cap in the drawer"
Delight entered into the work with the
zeal OF one who, unaccustomed to house.
ho.d duties, seeks diversion in a new form
of exercise. But she lacked dispatch. A