Signal-Copiahan. (Hazlehurst, Copiah County, Miss.) 1885-1888, 1886-06-17

"o'hS uos hos "hN ooWihp WIN Vo'y
grace. "But. dear mo! How dull 1t
Is In here. Your fro wants good
stirring upr' and scizing the poker she
attacked the Goals in the CRATE with
an energy that seemed to imply she
would like to treat him In the same
fashion.
A bright blaze followed her vigorous
action. dancing on the walls, and
showing the bright hues of pictures
and furniture, despite the dust that
covered them; bringing CHEEKY look.
too, even to Mr.. Doran's grim face.
"There!" said Jack, giving last
approving poke; chats better. Now.
il l just open this window and lot in
the sunshinc-so (suiting the action to
the worD, you'll feel as bright rs a
spring morning"
The girl was like May-dcs herself;
Tutoring around the room n il waited
by invisible breezes; her bright face the
embodiment OF sunshine; and rs the
lonely old man watched her light
fingers bringing order out of the con-
fusion that had rcigned so long, quiz
zical smile dawncd on his face.
For would-bc boy. you seem TO
know a good deal about such things"
he remarked. dryly.
That's the mothcr-part of me-"
| said Jack, rs she ''scttled" the chairs
and furniture with touch that only a
woman has.
Then she came and sat down on foot
stool beside him, and, clasping her knee
with both hands, looked up with smil-
ing audacity, saying:
You'd better let mo stay awhile.
uncle; you'd be u great deal more COM
Portable"
There was deep anxiety beneath
the merry exterior. for she knew well
how vital her unclc's favor was. Her
mother was too delicate, her sisters too
fine ladies 10 work; and the child (Shc
was not much more, In spite of her
seventeen years. felt rs though the
burden Of the family rested on her
shoulders. Her uncle wasvcry wealthy,
and if he could only be brought to for
give her mother, what happy days
they would see. ltc had sent once for
her two sisters 10 spend week ut
GlcnSidc. step toward reconciliation
which her mother had hailed with
thankful JOY; but, before the week was
out. he sent them both home, saying
he couldn't stand their fine airs; that,
since his sister had chosen 20 bring up
her family to such idle habits. he would
have nothing more to do with them.
The one longing OF the old man heart
had been for II son TO bear his name.
That hope disappointed in the early
death Of his wife. he had gradually
grown into the selfish. gloomy man
Jack found him this fair spring morn
ing.
There was something in her bright,
boyi,h face that fascinated him; and
now. with warmth that surprised
himself. he sails
"Stay if YOU like. M child. It's a
dull place within doors; but there are
flower, and sunshine outside"
1t was so much kinder than Jack
had dared hope that she could have
cried for JOY.
"Oh. YOU dear uncle" she said; and
kissed his wrinSled old face with an
honest hcartineSs that he was quick To
feel.
There. there" he said, impaticntly,
rs if ashamed of the unwontcd soft
nc,, he had shown; "go and tell cook
that you're going To stay. and that she
must give you room and see to Your
meals. DO not be afraid she's cross, ;"
he added. somewhat anxiously. "Shc
does not like trouble or work"
III won't" said Jack. rs she ran of
Half an hour later she looked in the
door again, saying:
Come TO lunch, Uncle Robert. Yes
Gas he stared at her in amazcmcnD,
know cook always brought you just
what she liked up here, because she
did not want YOU downstairs. There
has been skirmiNh, but it's all
right now. Come for my sake, please"
Mr.. Doran drew his dressing-gown
more closely around him and followed
Jack down into the small breakfast
room. which she had chosen. because
it was much pleasanter than the great
oak-wainscoted dining-room. a most
tempting lunch was spread upon the
round table, and flowers were inter.
mingled with the dishes in profuSion.
IL was pretty TO see the air with which
she led her uncle to his place, then took
her own opposite him, almost forget
ting-in her eagerness to serve him-to
satisfy the demands Of her own healthy
young appetite.
| 'Dlu COOK 90 al thls! MI DOran
asked, with some curiosity.
NO" replied Jack. blushing. "She
wanted to take you up some smoky
soup, and because l said no she
wouldn't do any thing else. so did it
myself. Don't youlike it alp" and she
looked anxiously at him.
"You are not like your sisters" he
said, not replying to her question.
20. nor and Jack shook her head
somewhat dejectedly. They are very
accomplished-real young ladies, you
know. But then, can cook, and
sweep, and do things that they can't"
"But do not want cook and a
/ bous, ,,,o;J ~ said Mr. nnran