Western Kansas world., 1915-07-03

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 to make the palace of It
she knows SO well how to do, and the
pay will be extra liberal"
She'll just delight in the task"
said Miss Matilda Poor childl What
a housewife she would makel But
no. no! Work has come to 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. Woodworking girl,
she says They are after the dainty
ones that wear gloves"
How are you getting on, Nellie2"
inquired Griggs, two days later. invad-
ing the domain over which Nellie was
queen for the time being
Happy as 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 it Iook?''
You may well be proud compli-
mented Griggs-
Floors, walls, ceilings and windows
were spotiess- 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, Nel
lie seemed in q state of mad bliss She
worked till midnight, never tiring OF
getting draperies 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-hafred cherub lay asleep in
Nellies arms, the other seated on a
stool at her feet, while Nellie told her
c 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, 'Laborare est
orare-"
'Oh, sir, you startled us," said Mel
lie with embarrassment, as he sud
denly opened the door. Then she
glanced past him wonderingly- did
not Mrs. Rayner conner"
There is no Mrs. Rayner," was the
Wi six
years since"
When Nellie left after the evening
meal, Mr.. Rayner sat for a long time,
gravely reflective A cheering light
seemed to have departed. Griggs
came in. 1t was to describe his ad-
miration of the bustling Nellie, her
keen enjoyment of setting the house
in order.
'-She has certainly made things
hoHelike," 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 Nellfe's
company, and she, too, had to come
They were clinging to Nellie, rol-
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
iy. you fill my home with gladness
every time you come here Won't you
fill my heart as we'll? I need you
want you, and-I love you"
And, with a fiuttering' sob of great
Joy, Nellie nestled into his arms, feel
ing that heaven had been very, very
kind.