The St. Cloud journal. [volume] (St. Cloud, Minn.) 1866-1876, 1869-08-05
"A .AIFEW DAYS.


Thursday, August 23rd-The day
have passed so monotonously during tn,
last fortnight, that I was clad thi'
morning to think that to-day would
bring the change of the school-treat
although last night I had a weary wish
that it were over.
/ rose at dawn to look anxiously al
the sky, and standing at my window,
prayed little prayer for the children'a
pleasure and then ] asked Him who
knows ho~ hard some little things are
to bear to take me out of myself to-day.
/. Ben is getting we'll rapidly; he is
wonderfully improved. aud even has
blithe expression of countenance.
Nat is looking anxious aud troubled.
He says it is the heat; but the last few
days have not been very hot, and still
he looks anxious. Lettie vas very
busy oil the morning cutting cake. /
proposed borrowing the machine with
which they cut the bread at the work
house, and settling Ben to it, but she
did not seem to consider it good plan,
and slighted my generous offer of max
ing it all right tomorrow with the
board. I spent my morning in prepar-
ing games to 10 played and prizes to be
won Ben in setting hurdles for the
boys to jump.
The Bents and Leslies came to lunch,
then the children arrived, aud at the
same time ths carriage from the Towers
came dashipg up to the door with the
Marks and Errol.
Enrol jumped down AID gave bis
hand to Mrs. Mark, who stood, aftol
hurriedly speaking to US, to beg he,
daug hter not to wait about in the sun,
nor to walk too much, nor to o., I
don't know what but I'm afraid l gave
little stamp whom she turned at last
to explain that "Ida Was so fragile"
~ will take care that she is ODE
dient, Mrs. Mark" said Enrol, gayly
as be helped her down, with laugh
ing, intent look into her face.
Mr.. Bent led Mrs. Mark to the field
where he made her comfortable unde,
a tree, and where, as she said, she
could watch dear Ida and US all.
hope she found it pleasant!
'Now, Madeleine" said Enrol, as he
came up to nc with Ida, "what shall
We do to make ourselves generally ami
able p
care you generally unamiable p
said l.
"It is too hot to do anything very
energetic" !" said Miss Mark, looking
more lively than l had ever seen hel
look before.
"Would you like a scat in the
shade ?" I asked, wishing to make il
as little unpleasant as possible, and feel
ing that SIZE would not care for this
kind Of thing.
"No, thank you; I will watch then
playing-your brother seems very at
tentive and kind to the children
Don't let mo keep YOU"
So I went, and left them ; and if
remember rather sadly who was tn
life of every game year ago, I trie'
very hard to forget it again.
Enrol played little, but I suppos
he felt that Ida Mark was in hi
charge, and 50 he was great deal q
her side.
No use now my crushing 1t dow
and'trying to hide it. No use m
laughing so carelcssly to Nat, or bea'
ing down my pride. l know it; see
plainly. He follows her blindlv Wit
hardly one thought for any ono besid
Infatuated, powerless; and I will nt
mind. e, They are suited to each other
both beautiful, high-born, aud ricl
God helping me, 1 will stand aside an
SEQ them happy. But I. determine
only to write of the day, itself, for n
strength IL wavering yet.
l said the evening went off vel
To say that the tea and cakes did t
. would be but a mild way Of describit
their rapid disappearance. The CHI
dren cheered us all, and sang tho N
tional Anthem in loyal style; and if
> diverged into several distinct keys,
. am sure it was nobody's fault in part
ular, though Of course it happened tn
Miss Mark asked at a. crisis, VI
taught the singing, and the ready a
;, swer, "Miss Madeleine Blackwood
seemed to ne more terrible than all t
d,scord. While I stood little behi
!, I tried to put them right again, b
stopped feeling my voice tremb
Errel, who stood in the group, touch
I: me, and whispered in his gentle W:
> "You are tired, Mayda-you ha
done TOO much" My face, when
raised it, must have looked very wea'
. for his eyes saddened as they look
into mine and as the last ncte-s
tanned during 4 heightened period
one small child died away-ho g
merrily, .pplauding, "Famous ! WI
I felt hopeless shout harmony when
:; :; contemplated the chief singers iuhali
their seventh distribution Of tea. H
1 they can sing upon il I would give