Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1917-01-10
copyright, by Joseph B. Bowles)


three of them-Mrs. Montgomery, her
daughter Maud, and her niece, Helena
Masters.
The first-named was widow;
Maud was an only child; the niece
was an orphan, who had been early
adopted by Mr.. Montgomery, her
mothers brother, who had died some
years previous to this visit to the
Thousand Islands. The widow, ele-
CANT, refined aristocratic, was shocked
to discover that she was left with a
limited income, that both city and
country house must go to the credit
ors, and that she must take up her
abode among the quiet envlrons OF
Boston. Neither she nor her daugh-
ter the lawful inheritor Of her pride
and her exclusiveness, could become
accustomed to this changed condition
of affairs Not so with the niece; she
was cast in a different mould. She
was helpful, self-reliant and practical,
and had been rather out Of place in
the set where she had been brought
up. Upon the bereavement and bitter
reverses of her aunt she was prompt
with the suggestion that she might
learn stenography and typewriting,
and become self-supporting. Mrs.
Montgomery regarded it. with some
thing little short of horror.
81 almost despair of making any
thing of you, Helena she said. Have
you no pride at all?'
Indeed | have, my dear aunt. l
have the pride that urges me to take
care of myself and not be burden to
you when you have enough of your
own"
you had better say that you want
to be a disgrace to me. Have your
advantages in the best society of Bos-
ton been thrown away upon you? One
would really think so. Typewriting
and stenography, indeed-for lady
of my family! Not while l have con-
troll of YOU
\ Helena reflected that this control
must last while her aunts legal guard
ianship should continue, and that she
lacked more than two years of 81.
The time of their visit to the Thou
sand Islands was one Of quiet satisfac-
ton and enjoyment to this practical
and sensible young woman.
They stopped at Wildwood Park, &C.
cupying one Of the cottages of that
charming place, and taking their meals
at the great hotel. After almost a
weeks sojOurn they had met no &C
quaintances; Mrs. Montgomery had
discovered no legitimate way to make
any of the right kind, and she and her
daughter were feeling decidedly out
Of nptc wit hn T01n cd
twice thrown out hints about Niagara
before her cousin ventured to speak.
81 hope we may remain here at least
Fortnight longer, aunt" she said Il
Link it delightful.
Maud elevated her pretty nose.
I'm glad you like it, cousin. But
what on earth you can see to admire
about it, I don't see.'
Helena loves nature, 1 believe" :1-
terposed Mrs. Montgomery, with a sus-
picion of sheer. That's all very
well; but she ought to have something
better in view"
The young lady had a spirit of her
own, and was capable of sharp re-
joinder when pressed.
II like this place because it is so
full Of natural beauty" she declared.
ct like the walks in the park, the view
of the river and the islands, the skiffs
and the steam yachts, the glorious
sunrises and sunsets, the freedom Of
this pleasant cottage, where we can
read and rest, and look out at the
groups of happy and well-behaved
people. It's pleasure for me to see
them, even if we don't know any of
them. But care the least for that
part of it; l didn't come here to look
up men,"
"No-I suppose not" retorted Maud,
who was light as well as pretty. Il
suppose not. But from the very at
tentive way that good-looking waiter
hovers about your chair at the hotel
table had almost begun to think you
had found one
1t must have been three days later
when they met Wilkes Travis, young
BOstonian who had arrived at Wild
wood "a hours before. He was an old
acquaintance, and the meeting was a
pleasant one.
That evening Mrs. Montgomery re-
manned at the cottage with. head
ache, the girls walking out in the park
When they came in Maud was full of
gossip. They had met Mr.. Travis, and
fine-looking young man whom he
had introduced as Mr. Arden Marsh,
one of the serenading party. The lat
ter had forthwith attached himself to
Helena, and had not quilted her side
during the walk
'tAnd it looks to me like a case of
love at first sight" she ratified on.
"Ridiculous!" said Helena
81 suppose he is proper person for
us to know the matron observed
doubtfully, 'if he was introduced by
Mr.. Travis
quite distinguished looking, nicely
dressed, and with fine manners. ma