The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1915-06-18


Hes come back. and has rented
the old Trevor place. He's to bring
his wife and family with him. and
wants the house in order by Tuesday.
Tell Nellie 10 make the palace of II
she knows so well how 10 do, and the
pay will be extra liberal"
She'll Just delight in the task"
said Miss Matilda. Poor child, What
a housewife she would make. But
no, no! Work has come 10 me as my
portion. she says. the Lord knows
best, and I'm thankful know how TO
keep my hands busy. AS to the beaux
I'm only a poor, hard-working girl,
she says. They are after the dainty
ones that wear gloves.
How are you getting on. Nellie?"
inquired Griggs, two days later. invad'
ing the domain over which Nellie was
queen for the time being.
Happy as a lark, and right in my
clement" chirped the dear little crea.
ture, amid her tubs, dust. rags and
brooms. MY! but it was dirty. How
does il look?"
You may we'll be proud" compli-
mented Griggs.
Floors. walls, ceilings and windows
were spotless. The windows shone
like the finest plate. The next day
when Griggs dropped In. the garden
and yard had been put in trim. The
next, when the furniture arrived. Mel
lie seemed In a state of mad bliss. She
worked till midnight. never tiring OF
getting draperles and wall ornaments
in their most tasteful positions.
The following morning the children
arrived in an automobile. The chauf-
feur explained that Mr.. Rayner had
been delayed. and would arrive that
evening. Long before then, well fed,
well amused, the little ones had come
to love Nellie as If she was some older
sister.
The lights were on, the supper table
set when Arnold Rayner went up the
steps. He paused TO peer beyond the
screen door into the room where one
golden-haired cherub lay asleep In
Nellie's arms, the other seated on a
stool at her feet, while Nellie told her
q pretty fairy story.
A great tide OF feeling overcame the
lonely-hearted man. He seemed TO
stand on the threshold OF comfort.
peace and rest, denied his sad soul
for many a year. The tears came to
his eyes, but through them he saw as
though in a dream, the sweet, bright
face of the neatly attired girl who
took as her motto. 'Iaborare est
orare."
"Oh. sir, you startled u.s." said Mel
lie with embarrassment, as he sud-
denly opened the door. Then she
glanced past him wonderingly. did
not Mrs. Rayner Gomez"
There is no Mrs. Rayner," was the
subdued reply. my wife died six
years since"
When Nellie left after the evening
meal, Mr.. Rayner sat for long time,
gravely reflective. A cheering light
seemed to have departed. Griggs
came in. II was to describe his ad-
miration of the bustling Nellie, her
keen enjoyment OF setting the house
in order.
"She has certainly made things
homelike," said Mr.. Rayner. Then
he sighed, but his face expressed
pleasure as Griggs praised the sterling
usefulness and intelligence Of the lit.
tie toiler.
He came across Nellie a few days
later, and lifted his hat to her as
though she were the highest lady in
the land. Miss Matilda got to running
over to see that the children were
comfortable. They cried for Nellie's
company, and she, too. had to come.
They we're clinging to Nellie, roll
licking like happy elves, one after
noon as Mr.. Rayner appeared. She
started to cross lots homewards. He
halted her.
Nellie" he said gravely but earnest
ly, you fill my home with gladness
every time you come here. Won't you
fill my heart as well? / need you.
want you, and-I love you"
And, with a fluttering' sob OF great
Joy, Nellie nestled into his arms, feel
ing that heaven had been very, very
kind.