The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-09-09

the Aipsr--she paused--"but have no friends"
 Dear mel" exclaimed the nurse. ashast. ssureiy you had schooifel-
 "oh, yes: dozens
 And what of themT"-and the speak CT looked at her interrogatively.
 ''Oh. when I first came home they were constantly asking me to go and stay with them. but, of course. I could not leave father, and It was impossible to invite them here: so by-and-by they ceased to write, and they have all fur- gotten me years ago. I have. however, one friend-Nancy Byng-Mr. Byng was our rector before Mir. Cave. and she and I weresat school together: she corresponds with me stili--she lives in Kent now. had a letter from her yes- terday."
 Then, why not ask her to come and see you? am sure 1t would cheer you up."
 "Yes. 1t would be great pleasure. But I must consider the old servants. Oh, they would hate to have a stran- ger in the house-or to be put out of their ways"
 "Still, you are the mistress. are you not?" urged the nurse, who had taken a particular dislike to Miss Jubber. with her prim manner and grim as. | sumption OI dutUoTilys
 Hester gave q little choked laugh as she replied. NO. indeed; Jane Is mis- tress, of course"
 T hope you won't think me too bold. Miss Forde. if say that I think 1t is time you took over the keys"
 The girl shook her head without rais- ing her eyes from tying up the nose
 My mother gave them to her. she said graveiy; Jane has always been houseeeper--and mistress.
 Then, suppose l must say no morey'
 Tt Is so kind of you to be interested in me-" said Hester. "and you have helped me over some bad days; l shall always remember that" Have you made any plans?" "Yes, I shall remain here for some time. You see. there Is my year of mourning"
 But surely that need not tie you to ShalesmoorT
 "There Is much business to be arr ranged---my father was so helpless late ly that his affairs are in some confu- sion Mir. Levin thinks it will take a long time to straignten them. There are quantities of papers to sign" "The papers might be sent after you that could easily be managed; Miss Forde. do you realize that you are very rich womanT'
 T believe am," she assented with sigh; q don't understand money, I've never mad any. I have no idea what to do with 1t. my head feels so light and empty. and goes whilring round at times. Here-though 1t is dull, and isolated. and stagnant---I know where I am; but in the world should be Ike a lost dog; for all fny experience of life is from books, and besides" She paused.
 "Yes?" said her listener interrogative- iy.
 ''Eliza and Jane are rooted here. and must consider them
 The rumble of the carriers cart now made Itself evident, coming up the lane.
 You should consider yourself, Miss Forde," urged the other woman, with indignant emphasis. (She had caught sight of two grim faces watching her from a window on the second noor ) You are young, and they have had their day. If you do not take my ad- vice, and leave this place and It's mo- notony, you will sink Into a state of apathy. Now that you have no occu. patton, you will feel lethargy creeping over you, and fall into condition of mental atrophy and ill-heath.
 Here the gate slowly opened. and an old man In a smock stood whip in hand, and said
 Where's ta ba an, miss?"
 "Tellforde," she answered. then to Hester, You've been so kind to me.