The Warner sun. (Warner, Brown Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1885-1???, 1886-04-16

a message for DR.. Roberts"
Then he hurried downstairs. Esther
sprang from her bed, and drew aside
the window curtain. When she saw
what q lovely morning it was, she al
lowed q perfect storm of anger and
disappointment to rage within her.
There was not the slightest feeling OF
sympathy for the indulgent mother,
who had never allowed her to miss
any innocent pleasure upon which she
had set her heart, and who, even then,
was thinking not of her own suffering,
but OF the great disappointment it
would be for Esther to stay at home.
The children were at breakfast.
Esther was too angry and disappoint-
ed to eat. She took q basin of Cruel
up stairs to her mother, set the little
tray down by the bedside, and with
out looking or speaking, turned to
leave the room. Mrs. Talbot was
hurt beyond any power OF words to
express. Her heart was pierced as no
sword could have pierced it. Never
before had she realized so bitterly how
Sharper than a serpent's tooth it is
to have a thankless child"
But she said gently, 'My poor
child, you cannot know how sorry /
am to be i'll to-day
There's no use in being sorry now"
interrupted the unfeeling girl, hurry
ing out of the room, and shutting the
door with a snap.
When the children were quite ready,
they went to kiss their mother, and
found her dressed and ready to go
downstairs. She smiled, and kissed
them passionately, telling them to be
good, and keep with their teacher
when they were coming home.
AS she stopped to kiss Maggie, a vi
olent pain seized her, and she turned
quickly away, grasping firmly at the
dressing-table for support. Thechild,
alarmed at the sight of her mothers
white face, clasped her arms about
her, crying
go mammal mamma! you are i'll!
Let me stay with you! Let me call Es-
ther!"
But the paroxysm had passed, and
with an eager, nervous embrace, Mrs.
Talbot dismissed the affectionate
child, telling her she was "better now"
Esther was clearing away the break
fast things when Mrs. Talbot entered
the room, She started with surprise.
Looking up, her eyes met those of her
mother, and she will never forget the
panied and wounded expression she
saw on the pale, pinched face. Her
heart, however, was not then soften
ed, and when her mother said, in flow
voice.
ESTHER, you may go. Ii you are
quick in dressing, you will be ready to
join the procession as it is passing the
house" she at once left her work, and
hurried to her room.
The eager girl now resolutely put
away from her the thought that her
mother was really i'll, and needed her
love and care. With feverish haste
she made her toilette, putting on the
pretty suit that had cost her many
hours of labor. About her neck she
arranged a delicate white lace ruffle, In
which she fastened a handsome gold
brooch, a gift from her father or her
last birthday; then she took out the
lovely little bonnet she had so longed
to wear, but would not put on till to-
day lest some othergirl should get one
trimmed as near like it as possible.
Now the pretty gloves were on, and
she was quite ready.
She could hear the strains OF music
from the brass band that always ac-
companied their school" on Whit
Monday; so, putting her purse and
lace-bordered handkerchief hastily In
her pocket, and taking one last look
into the mirror, she ran lightly down
stairs, through the hall, and out at
the front door just in time to takeher
appointed place between the rector's
daughters.
She was fully conscious, however, OF
the looks of admiration with which
she was regarded as she stepped across
the broad tagged sidewalk.
Mrs. Talbot had walked into the
parlor and was standing behind the
lace curtains watching the scholars 60
by. She saw how lovely Esther
looked, but, for the first time, felt no
Joy in her child's beauty. Her heart
had been too sorely wounded by her
wilfull and heartless conduct.
AS the scholars moved on, she saw
her other treasures among the young
er children. They were looking at the
house as they passed, and when they
caught sight of their mother, who had
drawn the curtains aside and was
looking eagerly and lovingly towards
them, they waved their hands and
shouted in great glee.
The mother watched them move
away with a strange, half-sad, wholly
passionate desire to hold them to her
heart once more, then, turning from
the window, she burst into an agony
Of tears.
Two hours later Mr.. Talbot came
home. He lifted the heavy brass
a --- ---l - 49, ---AI--eA. &C.,