The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1880-01-14
The Two Voices.


Win 0er IN Jne sunny Except luuSeus
q great bee that had found its way in the
front garden, and was flying and humming
lazily round the room; he could not talk to
Lucy; and the sunshine was not speaking;
it was quietly bathing the child in its light,
and she felt its warm glow, but was not
thinking of it. Then the white roses that
would peep in at the open window were very
silent although seeming TO do their best TO
attract her notice. Gently they stirred in
the breeze, and smelt, OH SO sweetly; but
they could not speak to Lucy Bell, No; she
was listening to the voices deep down in her
heart, and was obliged to listen, though no
one besides could have heard the soft whis-
pers What made Lucy so serious, so quiet?
A prettilv-bound volume lay in her lap,
but she did not even raise the cover
Was it not strange? for this was a new story
book and the sunny noon holiday. The
first vOice-for there were two-spake again
to the child-"Enjoy your holiday, Lucy;
read the story, it can't be wrong Mother
likes you to be happy" Then the other
softly breathed, "Let mother have rest
she looks tired. Tell her to lie down and
you will play with Joe" Which voice
would Lucy obey2 The book was still
unopened on her lap, and her face grew
quiet and sober. At last she raised her head
and listened-this time to real sounds;
through the parlor door came words in her
mothers gentle, tired tones, and baby's glee-
ful laugh and Growing.
Lucy thought of what her grandfather
had said; quite lately his hand rested upon
her curls, and he finished with a muttered
blessing.
Try and do a kind act every day, Lucyl
Make some one happier, some face brighter,
and YOU Will find your life full of Joy" Still,
Il l.. II - 3 H.
so warm and pleasant, tempted her to enjoy
the rest, and enjoy the quiet read she had
earned by weeks study. But she could
not forget her mothers weary face, and Joe
was apt to get noisy and troublesome. This
was a kind act waiting for her, to play with
Joe while mother rested. Lucy had won the
victory and obeyed the voice of love. The
book was thrown aside and her face lost its
uneasy expression, and, with three spring
ing bounding steps, che was standing in the
kitchen, and Joe held out his fat arms, at
tracted by the happy smile of his sister. Mrs.
Bell smiled, too, but said: "No no; Lucy is
going to read; baby must stay with MOTHER
But Joe had sprung into Lucy's arms,
while she said, 81 will play with him, mother
dear; l want you to have long rest up
stairs"
Mrs Bell shook her head. "My darling,
would rather you enjoy yourself, it is your
half-holday."
With a gleeful laugh Lucy kissed her
"And mothers never have half-holidays, do
they? So l wish mine to have one to-day
See, Joe is quite good with mel"
\ fewImore coaxing words and Lucy had
her way. She felt very happy as she heard
her mothers door close, and, sitting down
upon the floor, prepared to amuse her little
brother all that sunny afternoon. Now and
then she thought of the unread story and
sighed, but only had TO look at Joes laugh
ing face, and picture mother sleeping all
traces of headache away, to feel very, very
glad that she had given up her own pleasure
for them. Lucy never built such splendid
towers with Joe's bricks as she
did that afternoon, and baby had
never been so good; was it not because
the sister had given up her own will COM
pletely and lost sight of herself in his happi-
ness? When Joe grew tired Ofplay Lucy
carried him into the garden, and, walking
up and down the sunny path, sang softly to
him till the little curly head dropped onto
her shoulder and baby was fast asleep. The
sunlight crept away from the garden, and
soft shadows heightened across the grass,
while Lucy sang snatches of song and the
blue sky smiled upon her. Once she said to
herself 81 will try and make some one hap
py every day. Grandfather told me | should
feel happy, too, and do-oh ever so much
more than l thought"
By tea-time Mrs Bell had come down
quite refreshed, and, with kiss to her little
daughter, told her the pain in her head had
gone.
THANK you. my child. for minding Joe.
! Eo4 have done me so much good, my I'M
selfish Lucy"
That same evening Lucy's brother Charlie
sat at the table. puzzled over a sum. All at
once he threw down his book and slate
angrily.
NADER / hate theml It's no use for you to
look, lucy; you can't help me-"
Again the two voices were whispering in
Lucy's heart-the selfish one saying: AGO
on with your own lessons, leave Charley TO
his; but the second made itself heard very
plainly: ~Help Charley; think of your hap
py afternoon"
al can try she said, pleasantly. (which
is il, Charlie?"
"Oh, nonsensel What can you do? Girls
are muffs"
Lacy smiled-she could not help it-but
y she did not laugh; it would have made her
brother cross, and he did open the book and
Z point to the figures.
Il can help you, for we did that very one
last week"
Charlie started.
? at is all right, then, thank you, Lucy;
YOU are net muff, after all. Doa't mind
what say"
II am glad know how to do it."
And very soon brother and sister
were sitting with arms entwined, theirbright
heads bent over the wv easy sum.
Those two voices spoke TO Lucy Bell every