The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1885-07-31
Pleasing Not Himself.
BY MARY A. P. srANsBURY.

Eaa.EtGa
BY MARY A. P. sTANsBURY.
II don't think you ought to talk as i'll
was doing wrong, Helen! 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 Aickered through the
leaves and the cool, salt breeze from the
sea played with Helen's long, golden
hair, but her sweet face bore . very
sober and thoughtful look. 49,.
II 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 ]
have longed to go to sea ever sincel
can remember. And hate school,
couldn't tell anybody how muchi And
now, when there is such q chance 70,
me-a chance in . thousand, Helen
with this Captain Letcher, who is an
old friend of fathers, and father him.
self has at last given me leave, you
must all the time be trying to make me
feel that I ought not to GO. think il
unkind ofyou, Helen[I really do. One
would almost think you begrudged me
the pleasure"
ooh, Ned !" said Helen, and her blue
eyes filled with tears.
Don't Nell dear !" said Ned, patient.
". "Idld not mean that! But Idonu
believe you ever guess what this thing
is to me. Why, l can't ever look al
that schooner out yonder without feel.
ing as if | could fly. It's the freedom Of
it, Nell, and the seeing strange countries
and people! Oh! it must be gloriousls
Dear Ned" said Helen gently, "do
not think it hard of me. But I can't
help thinking of father. He has con-
scented, but l am sure. you can't know
what it has cost him. You remember
he has had such different plans for o
his only son, Ned! And 1 can't help
feeling, either, that he needs you more
than ever before. Father don't com.
plain of anything, but he isn't so strong
as usual. Haven't you noticed how pale
and tired he comes home almost every
evening? Oh, Ned!. if anything should
happen to father! I don't think il
would be a small thing for you to give
up going" her voice sank low
even Christ pleased moi himself"
She turned away, walking slowly up
the path. Ned did not follow her.
Her last words ranked like an arrow
in his unwilling heart. He felt that q
battle was before him which he could
best fight out alone. How hard was
the struggle, only God and his own
heart knew, but when it was ended
such q peace decended upon the boy as
he had g known before.
@Father," he said very quietly next
morning, 81 have written to Capt.
Letcher that / have changed my mind
about going away. Please take me into
the Office, and let me help you this
winter, and, next year, I will go to
school, or do anything you wish"
"My own boy r said Mr.. Litton, when
he could speak.
That was all. but wher Ned saw the
look upon his fathers face he felt half
repaid already for his bitter self-sacri-
fee.
The winter proved that Helen had
judged rightly in her anxiety for her
fathers health, for he was attacked BY
a lingering sickness. in which, more
than once, his life was despaired Of.
Ned seemed all at once to have be-.
come . man under the new cares and
responsibilities which fell upon him.
One could hardly have believed that the
often headstrong and impetuous boy
could have grown so industrious and
painstaking. His young vigor and
hopefulness were like q tower Of
strength to the watching mother and
sister in those dark days when death
seemed waiting at the very door. Over
and over they asked each other
ooh? what would we do if Ned were
away"
And when at last, the father, still
very pale and weak, but steadily and
surely recovering, called him to his
side n day, saying: aMy dear boy, il
you had not relieved me of so much
care and anxiety, | am sure ] could not
have lived!". Ned could only answer
with a burst of thankful tears.
Only a few mornings later, as Ned
entered the breakfast-room, he saw
Helen with a newspaper in her hand.
She looked up, but he missed her emil-
ing "Good morning +
"What is the matter, Nell?" he asked,
frightened at her grave face.
For answer she reached to him the
newspaper, with her finger on : para
graph in the column Of shipping
News"
The color faded on his che, Is Is he
read. Capt. Letcher's ship had gone
down, and all on board had persisted.
The brother and sister looked into
each others eyes.
"Helen,n' said Ned, in q low and SOL,
emn voice, @it was God who gave you,
the words to speak to me that day DO
the stile. He has not only saved my
life, but He has taught me that selfish
life is not worth saying.-SAhbath
School Paper.