The Red Cloud chief., 1885-06-19

thus roughly from her little 0Foehef's
lips. did more towards opening her eyes
to her OWE past conduct than any I'D
vice or counsel however kindly D.ans
could have done. Over and over again
she repeated the words Bob had said:
.'She never docs anything for ANYBODY
but herself and her cheeks famed -
she confessed TO her own heart that is
was true. She could not r-collect hav.
ing offered once. in the two years she
had been home. 20 relieve her mother
Il any Of the household cares.
She lay curled up on the lounge for
IN hour longer, thinking over the past
and making good resolutions for the
future. Thea she sprang Up. and With
the determination To begin her new life
at once, west up stairs TO lind the torn
jacket She had just finished mending
il, and had taken the big stocking
basket into her lap when Bob came in,
closely followed by Harry an! Arthur
Hello" he said. What's CORD over
Won, Nelly? never saw you mending
stockings before. But I'm glad you're
doing IL, for l haven't . pair tina, isn't
in holes"
"And there is your everyday jacket"
said Eleanor. '.it is mended. and you
can put Il on again.
did you mend itT" There was un-
mitigated surprise in Bob's tone.
Eleanor nodded.
you did! Well. won't mother be
surprised when she knows Of it,"
Eleanor WINGED. The careless words
cut her like a knife.
Supper had been rather q cherries
affair since Mrs. Hilton's accident.
Bridget had had all the work Of the
house on her hands. and had given lit
tie thought to the preparation Of the
meals. Doctor Hilton. driving home at
six o'clock. and feeling weary and out
Of-sorts, expected to lind the dining
room cheerless and cold, and a hastily
prepared repast. He was therefore
pleasantly surprised to lind a bright
fire in the open CRATE, and Eleanor Hit
ting about q Widespread table.
"You are late. father" she sad. AZ
fectionately.
"Yes, and very hungry" he an
swered. THAT toast looks unusually
good. Nelly" with q glance at the "a
bic.
Perhaps that is because l made it.
father"
Your He looked at her keenly.
"Yes, ] must be housekeeper now
mother is laid up." she returned. m she
rang the bell for the children.
The doctor was silent for q moment.
then approaching his daugh. r he put
his arm about her slender waist aud
drew her gently to his side.
II always felt sur that You only
needed an opportunity to show your
noble qualities. daughter" he said, with
a tender kiss.
The tears rushed to Eleanor's eyes.
but she had no time to reply. for the
boys came trooping in. and she had to
take her place IT the tea-tray. Mrs
Hilton was forced to confess TO herself
at the end Of q week that she had mis-
Judged her st~ep-daughter. The wheels
of the household machinery turned as
easily and smoothly as when her own
hands had been ut the helm. and Bridget
declared that her young mistress was .
''bOrn cook"
''You see. / was right in thinking You
could delend on Eleanor in this emer-
gency," said Mrs. Bowen. n day. Is
she sat by Mrs. II lions bedside.
Eyes, and ! was very wrong in say.
ing she was of no use." 81 d the invalid.
''She has surprised and delighted me-"
And Eleanor. happier than. she had
been since childho ii. discovered thao
there might be real pleasure in the
faithful performance of ven the home.
Hest duties; and the days were no longer
dull and I. diOus. Whatever her handr
found 10 do, she did with her m ght
and the appreciation of her parents was
all the praise she cared for.
Between herself and her step-mothe:
sprang up a love both deep and true,
but Mrs. Hilton never knew that Eleanor
had overheard that conversation with
Mrs. Bowen, and that it had been the
turning po. mt Of her ife.-F1orence X.
hauowtH. in Chicago Standard.