Mexico weekly ledger. (Mexico, Mo.) 1855-1956, 1885-06-25

endyke, as she followed her lord to
breakfast.
PLEASING NOT HIMSELF.
By MARY A. p. sTANsBURY.
81 don't think you ought to talk
as if I was doing wrong, Helenl You
know father has consented"
Ned Litton spoke in an injured
tone, looking down upon his sister
from his perch on the old stile.
The sunlight fickered through the
leaves and the cool, salt breeze from
the sea played with Helen's long,
golden hair, but her sweet face wore
a very sober and thoughtful lock.
Il didn't say just that, Ned"
''No; but you might as well have
said it. What you did say means
the same thing. Now, just look at
it. Here I have longed to 60 to sea
ever since I can remember. And 1
hate SCHOOL, couldn't tell anybody
how much! And now, when there is
such chance for me-a chance in
thousand, Helen-with this Captain
Letcher, who is an old friend of faith
er's, and father himself has at last
given me leave, you must all the time
be trying to make me feel that I
ought not to go. I think it unkind
of you, Helen-I really do. One
would almost think you begrudged
me the pleasure"
"Oh, NedH' said Helen, and her
blue eyes filled with tears.
Don't Nell, dear!'' said Ned, pa
tiently. 81 did not mean that! But
I don't believe you ever guess what
this thing is to me. Why, 1 can't
even look at that schooner out yon-
der without feeling as if 1 could fyl
It's the freedom of it, Nell, and the
seeing strange countries and people |!
Oh! it must be gloriousf"
"Dear Ned" said Helen gently,
s'do not think it hard of me. But
can't help thinking of father. He
has consented, but 1 am sure you
can't know what it has cost him. You
remember he has had such different
plans for youths only son, Nedl
And l can't help feeling, either, that
he needs you more than ever before.
Father don't complain of anything,
but he isn't so strong as usual.
Haven't you noticed how pale and
tired he comes home almost every
evening7 Oh, Ned! if anything should
happen to father! I don't think il
would be small thing for you to
give up going, but" her voice sanl
very low even Christ pleased no,
himself
She turned away, walking slowly
up the path. Ned did not follow
her. Her last words ranked like al
arrow in his unwilling heart. He
felt that a battle was before hin
which he could best fight out alone
How hard was the struggle, only Goo
and his own heart knew, but when i
was ended such peace descended
upon the boy as he had never know
before.
Father" he said very quietl,
next morning, Il have written t
: Capt. Letcher that I have change
: my mind about going away. Pleas
take me into the Office, and let m
help you this winter, and, next yea
l I will go to school, or do anythin
you wish"
"My own boy!" said Mr.. Litto.
> when he could speak.
That was all, but when Ned sa'
: the look upon his fathers face b
felt half-repaid already for his bite
t sef-sacrifce.
s The winter proved that Helen LA
Judged rightly in her anxiety for he
, father'shealth, for he was attacke
e by lingering sickness, in whicI
q more than once, his life was despai
!. ed of.
o Ned seemed all at once to have b
come man under the new cares an
S responsibilities which fell upon hir
s One could hardly have believed tbi
the often headstrong and impetuol
boy could have grown so industrio'
= and painstaking. His young vigorar
s hopefulness were like a tower
u strength to the watching mother ai
. sister in those dark days when dea
It seemed waiting at the very doc
IS Over and over they asked each OF
er-
ID | ''Ohl what could we do if n
5. were away!"
II And when at last the father, ST
to very pale and weak, but steadily q
,e surely recovering, called him to !
be side one day, saying, "My dear be
if you had not relieved me of
:" much care and anxiety, / am SUR
y. could not have lived" Ned cor