, 1882-05-26

| her char nearly exhausted
"You ought to go somewhere for
your health this summer"
YES, know it," said Mrs Andrews,
family; but | cannot afford it.
Our crops were poor last year, and
we had a hard time to get through
: the winter. John scarcely had mon
ey enough to get the children clothes,
decent to wear to school this term.
This weather has taken away what
little strength | had, ! have been
longing for the mountain air. lived
among the hills when l was child,
and it seems to me my poor lungs
would stop aching and grow strong
again if l could fill them with the
air | got then But it's no use talk
ing about it." And the poor woman
sighed as she changed the subject.
Long after their visitor had left
did Barbara sit silently looking out
the window, taking no heed of her
mothers conversation. The trouble
some question, Ought / to go to the
mountains, and let this woman stay
home 2" had come to her mind, and
she could find no satisfactory answer,
How absurd to think Of staying
at home for her sake" whispered
self. Here have l been going with
out everything l possibly could for
the past three years in order to take
this trip and to give it up would be
too silly to be thought Of"
If any man would be my disciple,
let him deny himself and take up his
cross and follow me-" answered
conscience. " .-.. ...."
'Then there are May and Fred it
would be too bad to disappoint them,"
pleaded self, glad of SO willy an argu-
ment. r.tr La hr-
Not as bad as it would be for the
little Andrews children to be left
motherless," replied conscience.
But what is she to me, anyway ?"
questions self, half-petulantly, seeing
the case growing weaker ON its side.
"She is your sister in Christ"
whispers back conscience. "'Bear
we one another's burdens, and SO full
fill the law of Christ "A new com
mandment I give unto you, that ye
love one another as have loved you.
He gave Himself for you; can you
not give up few weeks pleasure
for her ?"'. ....
Barbara went into the kitchen to
get tea, but it didn't7seem like the
same place it had two hours before.
Her heart had been at rest then now
it was anxious and troubled. Still
the battle within her went on but
she said nothing to any one but
when she sought her room she opened
her Bible, and the first words her
eyes, fell on We're \" III any man lack
in wisdom, let him ask Of God"
Laying aside the book, she knelt
down ana told her story TO Jesus.
She remained some time on her knees,
and when .she arose, her mind was
made up to send Mrs. Andrews to
the mountains, instead of going her
| self. ')i ilj-. d. 1T l.
The next morning after the dishes
were washed and put away, and the
beds made, she called on May Mer-
rill. She found her friend putting
the finishing touches into suit she
had made on purpose to wear on
their proposed expedition, and look
ing very bright and happy ,,iof7 .
|Good morning, Barby proper
glad to see you," was the salutation
Barbara received. Wasjust wanting
some one to loop this overskirt for
me. You ought to have come min
ute or two sooner. Fred Burton has
just gone out. -''..' '..''l '..' I
"Good morning, May" replied
Barbara. "Slip your overskirt right
on, and I'll loop it now. l can't stop
long"
When she was on her knees behind
her friend, she said. keeping with
difficulty a choking sound out of her
voice
May, l want you to do me a
favor"
ga dozen, if you say SO, my be-
loved" replied May. "Please draw
that hack little tighter 1 look
baggy in front. That's better. Now
tell me what the favor is. Make all
your wants and wishes known ,"
well, May" began Barbara, Il
propose" .-
1T isn't proper to kneel behind
one to propose, interrupted May.
l"Do be serious, May" said Barba-
"a, Z" for this is something l am really
in earnest about.
A. I'm as sober as q graveyard. Do
go ahead y III D. 4-s--
"Well, l want you to take Mrs.
Andrews to the mountains with you
instead of me. 1 will furnish the
money"
i" Barbara Elwell !" cried May, in
a tone suggestive of a score Of ex-
clamation points, and turning short
about. What do You mean ?"
Mean what said, dear, " replied
Barbara. "Please turn around. You
spoilt lovely loop was making by
moving so quickly"
h :. M rno'on. / Shn,nt t11rn arOun1 .