The evening Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1918-1920, 1919-12-01


"It's q shame" mOurned and scold-
ed Miss Isabella Dunn to her sister
Mrs. Liscomb. Here have arranged
to pass last day and night with the
closest friend | have in the world, Ell
fie Worrell, who is going to California
and my maid, that worthless Nora,
ran off and got married and has left me
in the lurch."
"How romantic" animatedly COM
mented Drusilla Liscomb, the young
est Of the family of four girls. OOH
Aunty, dear, tell us all about it !"
"What nonsense" cried Miss Dunn.
Martha, do you bring up your chill
dren with such ridiculous notions? No.
I'll not tell you that lot of sentimental
rubbish. I'm too wrought up over the
predicament in which this has placed
me. | have no one to take care of the
house while I'm gone and can't lock
it up. There's the two gentlemen in
the bank and Mrs. Morse, who is an
invalid, and a new lodger, Mr.. AL
ling. Only yesterday he leased the
front suite and | promised to have it
in living shape for him by this eve
ming. Can't you help me out, Mar
THAI"
"Why, the three older girls are
away" explained Mrs. Liscomb.
But I'm here" burst in Drusilla
"Oh, mother! aunty I'd be more than
glad to take the place of this delight
full runaway girl and keep affairs in
order until you come back"
Druslla was the youngest of the
Liscomb brood and her aunt considered
that the frail, delicate slip of a girl
was hardly adapted to take charge of
n great tenrOom house over night
She clutched at the passing straw,
however.
"If you will help me out, Drusilla,'
she said, 'I'll make you a present of
that pretty silk gown of mine you
have always coveted"
"Oh, mother! let me go, please !"
pleaded Drusilla.
Reluctantly Mrs. Liscomb agreed to
the arrangement. Drusilla made up
parcel of cap, house slippers and
aprons and was soon on her way to
the house of her spinster relative.
Aunt Isabella was to take q train two
hours later.
Mrs. Morse takes entire care of her
own apartment and the two bank
dodgers are quiet, systematic old gen
tlemen," explained Aunt Isabella. "All
you have to do is to air their rooms.
The star boarder Mr.. Alling, is what
worries me. l arranged that he should
have breakfast and tea and Nora has
left the kitchen looking like barn"
"Pll brighten up all that, Aunty,"
pledged Drusila.
You are little jewel, dear. If my
three other nieces were like you,
learning to be useful instead of think
ing only of frivolity and society, and
flirting and looking for husbands, sis
ter Martha would probably be more
satisfied"
So Aunt Isabella went her way and
Drusllla was placed in charge of her
home. She was introduced to Mrs.
Morse and looked about the house.
Her quick housekeeping eye speedily
discerned that there was some hard
work to do. The kitchen was indeed
in confusion. Drusilla began at that
point. Then she swept and busted the
other rooms. Those apportioned to
Mr.. Alling were in entire disorder. BY
noon she had them looking like pal
ace and then for two hours she work
ed at getting supper ready for the star
boarder.
Her face was grimed, her hands
snowy with -four as there was a ring
at the door bell. She stood on the
threshold abashed as there confront
ed her smiling, brisk hammered,
good looking young man.
Il am Mr.. Alllng," he said. 81 think
l can find my rooms. Miss Dunn show
ed them to me yesterday. BY the way,
| am hungry as bear, and lunch, or
dinner, or supper would be very ac-
ceptable to me-"
DruSilaS face was one vast blush,
she discerned that she was mistaken
for the maid although the star board
err bestowed a marked glance of adj
miratiOn upon her. He praised her
cooking to the last morsel as he came
down to the dining room. He seemed
glad to converse with Drusila and
treated her with a respect that some
how ameliorated her false position.
1t was after the two bank dodgers
had arrived and had gone to their
rooms that Drusilla took a fancy to
look up the dress her aunt had prom
ised her. Then she was tempted to
put it on and rearrange her hair and
make herself naturally charming. The
temptation came to go down to the
parlor and survey herself full length
in Aunt Isabella's Old-fashOned glass.
She tripped into the room and paused,
abashed. With applauding eyes she
was confronted by Mr.. Alling.
'What beautiful gown" he spoke,
land how it becomes youl"
ut Is not mine. It belongs to my
Aunt Miss Dunn fIlsternd DruSi1lo