The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1883-05-26

Yourself sometime, dear. Besides, the
doctor can't wait. He's going out
West, they say, right off. This ought
to seem providential.
Sophie was pretty, compact little
body, with jaunty air, that always
gave her the effect of being we'll
dressed. Her nose turned up trife
and her mouth was large, | can't deny
but, if her little mirror told her the
truth about these, then it was to be
trusted. when it said that the curve and
colorine of her cheeks were faultless
and that her eyes were all that any
reasonable girl could desire. Hadn't
Fred Barrows told somebody that these
same eyes were the handsomest in the
town? Somehow, at those times when
poverty pinched at home, or when a
primary school seemed to her the
furthest remove from Heaven, that
little speech had proved wonderful
consider. Poor girl! don't grudge her
the foolish comfort. She needed it.
She had noticed, as she approached
the house that day, how much it was in
need of paint. AS she sterOed in the
back room, to leave her overshoes, she
saw that the coal-bin was very low. On
entering the kitchen, her mother met
her and showed her the doctors bill
he girl smiled at this appronrifP
climax; but it was smile that on a
young face always fills me with fore
boding. 1t was still on her lips as she
went quickly up to her room. There,
in the cold, she threw herself on her
bed and sobbed bitterly for half an
hour. She was not heroic, you sec
simply an everyday girl, crying over
one of the most everyday of troubles.
Nothing more was said that day about
the events of the afternoon; but Simon
Powers sat that evening and the follow
ing days feebly turning over old papers
and transferring the contents of one
pigeon-hole to another.
Il shall have to let Sophie take hold, !"
he said, at last 81 don't seem to make
much of any headway."
Yes" said Mrs. Powers, ''the
week IL be up in two days. Tomorrow
we must empty it out and rub it up and
get it ready. 1t goes hard, Simon; but
it's worth it to get you back from the
brink of the grave. You're feeling
better every day. Aren't youP The
Lord hasn't given us up yet, Simon
Powers"
Il believe you, Sally, | believe you;
but don't you see it seems as if He had
taken me to punish you with, and that
amt what I like to be used for I've
thought about it, sitting here, and the
more | think the more l don't see
through things. Poor mother! Have you
told her about the-?"
mo, not yet" said his wife, with a
troubled, tender look atthe little grand
mother, who sat placidly in the retire
ment of her deafness.
"Sophie," said her mother the next
day, your father wants you to begin
tonight to clear out the old desk.
We've got to let it 90, Sophie"
Sophie set her teeth together; and,
after supper, she and her father set
down to their task.
"Where shall begin, father?'
81 don't know as it makes much of
any difference" he said'
''Here are bundles of letters. They
are old-eighteen hundred and fifty
something"
''Give 'em to me-" said her father.
They're your mothers letters before
we were married. Here, Sally, take
'em. You've got mine somewhere.
Put 'em together. That was a long
time ago"
Here are some taX-bills, father. Did
you hear somebody knock, Rob? Go
to the door"
''It's that Barriers feller," grinned
Rob. go, Sophie! O-o-o-h, Sophie!'
Mother, stop that boy. He could be
heard across the street." cried Sophie,
flushed and distressed. She went on
hurridly with her work, and had sue
ceeded in producing considerable con-
fusion by the time young Barrows had
deposited his hat and overcoat in the
little entry. The young man greeted
the family politely but at first glance
you would have said it was the grand
mother whom he had come especially to
see. The little old lady was futtered
and pleased and warmed into talkative.
ness.
" member your grant Their well in
my young days, sir You're good
deal his build; remind me of him in the
back. He was pretty fond O. the gals
too"
Sophie's heart nearly stopped beat
ing.
81 wonder" the old lady continued
in her high quaver-''I wonder now. i
you're the young man Suffy was a-tellin
me about, the other day. SufTy, whar
are you doing there to your grant ther'i
desk?'
She's helping her father straighter
out his papers, said Mrs. Powers. com
ing to poor Sophie's rescue. II hop,
Mr.. Barrows will excuse her il she zoe,
on. Mr.. Powers is in something Of ,
hurry" rs
THAT was my husbands desk" sale
grandma, proudly; land when he dice
he left it to Simon. I'm for HAVING
Sutiy have it next; but they want L
give it to Robbie. Not till he's gooe
deal better boy n he is now, though.
tell 'em. But Suffy's nice gal; ant
she II be gettin' married one Of thes,
days, and that desk will look well in hel
house. How well member the pen
minis used to keep in that little Gun
board. You see | could keep EN- undel
lock and key, away from the children
Many,s the time gran'fther woul,
come home and say not word, for h,
never was any great of talker: but o.,