Drusilla with a Million

plainly envious and said spiteful, catty things, while others were glad that at least one of their number would be able to leave behind the "home"-the living on charity-that nightmare

she left for Barbara. A little lace cap that had been given her years ago and which she had never worn, thinking it too "fancy," was for the old lady who had seen better days. The heavy shawl was for the oldest inmate, Gran

ginal texture, but which was her Sunday best, the two black dresses for every-day wear, the two night-dresses of Canton flannel, the woolen underskirt and th

little bonnet that she had worn for many years, and her "mantle"-an antiquated wrap that had been given her by some kindly patron of former years-and went down the stairs. Mr. Thornton looked at th

Miss Doane. We will have

up at him like

m rather trembly. I-I didn't slee

ing of her lips and keep the tears from he

say good-by. Mis' Smith thought I hadn't better see the

you, Miss Doane. Don't hurry

eir accustomed places, and immediately she was the center of the curious old lad

-goin' to leave us! It's true what Mis' Graha

she hear

think, James! Drusilla Doane ha

lla said quietly; "and he's come to

and stopped their knitting or darnin

million dollars!

lla? Do you think

Caroline. Good-by, Mis' Graham; you always been good to me. Good-by, Mis' Fisher; I ain't never goin' to f

or. Just as she reached it old Barbara came shuffling up to her. "Oh, Drusilla," she mum

silla. The tears sprang to her eyes and she

leave you all behind! Listen, Barbara! Whether it's a million do

mith were waiting for her beside the motor to s

t us"-and Drusilla was tucked into the luxurious motor, a footstool

ft her to her own thoughts. Finally she sat more upright and began to

ke the car

know it's the first

I thought every one

nk that more'n two of the ladies in the home

it," Mr. Thornton

back suddenly

-this

, and you have two

lla g

re like

. One is an open car and

with three? I can't ri

l find that you

hem whenever

to do is to send word to one of the cha

word t

r, the man wh

mine,

u have t

I do wi

in number of hours, and then

a time. "Can I take th

y. They a

de! Wouldn't Mis' Graham love it, and old Grandma Perkins-we

e that was hers to do with as she wished, and the frightened look died from her face and a happy smile see

very fast, M

? I will have the chauffeur drive slow

as he started to sp

in't nervous, I was just wonderin'

somewhat surprised,

ushions, a slight flush on her face

dn't he let her out

ton l

you like; only I hope

lla s

ays thought I'd have to wait till I got to Heaven before I'd git

sparkle in her eyes that she was enjoying every moment of the ride. At last they turned, pa

d opened the door of the car, Dru

y? I was kind of hop

vely helped Drus

oane," he said. "I think we w

ood hesitatingly, not knowing what to do.

"Oh, you were such a long time, Father. Welcome home, Miss Doane! we are so glad to have you. We have all been waiting such a long time. Fathe

ore her that seemed to show such real

e, but-but-I guess I'

hat in your room. Oh, here is Mrs. Perrine. She is your housekeeper, Miss Doane. And that i

of blue here and there, and there were flowers everywhere. The chairs were upholstered in gray and blue chintz, and at the windows hung gray silk curtains with just a hint of

retty room! Wha

impled all over

lf. This was a bachelor house, and there wasn't a pretty room in the pla

hin' like it bef

y should all be done in a dark color. But I said I knew you would love pretty things

ver had nothin' gay colored

the toilet things pretty? See the monogram-D. D. I thought a lot about it, and aren't they pretty on that dull silver? Look at this mirror-a

retty things in amazemen

I do with al

can call her. But let me take off your hat. Shall I ring for Jeanne? No," as she saw the frightened look come into the eyes, "perhaps you'd rather be with me just at first. How pretty your hair is, so soft and fluffy. You must blue it, it is so white. I wish my hair would fluff, but it won't curl except in wet weather. Now come in

looked

Miss Thornton; you've

een working ever since

as afraid a little to come, not kn

'Welcome home.' I made him let me come. I'm going to stay to dinner with you if you'll invite me. We'll send Father home.

eaned forw

on. I-I-well, I wouldn't

want to hear any more business to-night and Father always talks business. Just you tak

sed lovingly around the room, resting on each beautiful picture, on the soft draperies, the easy-chairs and

you s

lla l

away and I'd be again in the bare little rooms I've always live

l your life. And now I've told James that we're going to hav

them as they noiselessly arranged the china and the glass upon the beautiful cloth, and when all was prepared the butler said in his even, "servant" tones, "Dinner is served," and went behind the chair re

ly slid into place. "I will be just opposite you. Isn't this nicer than sitting at t

nt things that might be an embarrassment to the little old lady who was used to the simple servi

rinking it a maid

e for Miss Thornto

ne r

call Jeanne, who will take care of you. She is your pe

l a pretty maid came into the

t will help her sleep. And, Miss Doane, I bought a few things for you, as perhaps your luggage might not come in time. Jeanne will have them

head over the old white one, and Drusilla reached up

ou've done for a lonely old woma

I'm so glad that you like the rooms-Mother said you wouldn't. Woul

won't know what

l be here early. Good night and

her mother, who was the village tailoress. Then when she became older the burden of the support for the two shifted to her shoulders, her mother seeming to have lost heart and with it the strength and the desire to make the grim fight with the wolf that always seemed so near the door. For years she struggled on, doing t

of the West, he decided to go to the country of his dreams and find the fortune that he knew was waiting him in that new land of mystery. He tried to persuade Drusilla to marry him and go with him; but her mother, with a sick woman's persistency, demanded that her daughter stay with her. They offered to take her with them, and painted in glowing colors the new life in that "far beyond"; but she wept in terror a

rusilla learned the bitter lesson that comes often to the old. They are stumbling-blocks in the pathway of the young. This knowledge broke her courage and her health, and her hard saved dollars were spent in doctor's bills. When strength came slowly back to her she was too weak to rebel against the order that she was to pass the remainder of her days at the Doane home. Even there she tried to keep her feeling of self-respect and independence by doi

rs of toil without the reward that is woman's right-the love of children, husband, a home to call her own. And yet those yea

yes felt heavy and she rose to go to the bedroom; then remembered that she was told t

esires to

oked at her

Thornton say

ne, M

at isn't Ja

ench for Jane

I can't remember the other. I t

ll prepare

eturned to

e," she said; and Drusilla f

, with slippers to match, and neatly folded on the bed was a soft white nightdress, lace-trimmed, deli

tepped into the warm, slightly perfumed water, it seemed to speak to her more eloq

ed light on a table at the head of the bed, and beside

around the room, and then

d much to thank you for except for strengt