The Washington critic., 1886-02-22

Your mother and were almost in
sepcrable from the time we were babies
together till we married." said Mrs.
Sturgis, her sweet face Frightening
with pleasant recollections. after
that we saw each other less, but the
light of our love burned just as
brightly. We always corresponded,
and exchanged little keepsakes till she
died. Your father had not much for
tune at that time, and"-she paused,
with sudden saddcning of the face.
AT that moment sharp cough smotc
Stclla's ear, and rustling as of papers.
"Its Lewis" said Mrs Sturgis in
an altered voice; nothing worries me
like that cough; and then he is so
worked! It's almost a pity he is as
willing as he is, for It really seems as
II he was al. everybody's beck and call;
but ! don't see any help for it. If he
could only get off-only afford It. /
mean, and then she stopped again.
with bright red spots in her cheeks,
and changed the subject.
Presently Lewis himself came ina
tall, handsome man, his face pale and
noble, his whole manner indicating the
possession of superior talents. Stella
never so pitied any human being as
she did this sacrificing, earnest
worker for the good of souls.
When she left, little Carrie, the eldest
of the girls was treated to ride-"Oh,
miles and milesv" she cried, describing
it to her mother as she came back into
the sunshiny room "and the pretty
lady had stopped at shop and ordered
some of the most magnificent dolls she
had ever seen In all her life, and they
were each to have two apiece"
How happy the children were SO
happy that all their prattle turned upon
Stella's visit and the great things II was
TO do for them.
Stella went home more thoughtful
than when she drove away. She had
learned some sad lessons that day. and
her eager heart was ready to profit by
them. She could see for herself that
the minister's family was really poor;
that the children's frocks were made
out of older and quantity fashioned
garments; that Mrs. Sturgis was worn
with care, and that the minister would
soon be beyond recovery, unless help
speedily came.
She walked straightway into the
parlor, after she had divested herself
of her wraps. 1t had never looked so
cheerful, so absolutely beautiful as
now. There was the well-heaped
CRATE, glowing with anthracite; the
shining costly pictures; the soft, bright
colors in the rich carpet. What If the
pattern was little out of date? To be
sure, people who could afford 1t, laid
down patterns of more subdued tints
and bordered them with lovely colors,
but the carpet had been one of her
mothers own choosing, and could
never be quite out of fashion.
Her mind was made up, she would
appeal TO her indulgent father that
very night, and so, perhaps, save O
valuable life.
The conversation was opened at the
supper table. Stella had arrayed her
| self in her most becoming dress, put
flowers in her hair, and called in the
| aid of all that was beautiful and refin-
ing, like Queen Esther of old, and her
fathers eye rested upon her with pc.
culiar satisfaction and newly awakened
| pride. She told him of her visit-de
scribed the place, the wife, the hus
band.
'And now, papa" she continued
looking at him with bright carnestness
''you said this morning that / coult
hardly ask anything that you wouldn'
do. / am going to put you to the test,
she added, with an arch smile.
"Well, daughter, l think l know
what is coming" he answered.
"Givc me the thousand dollars and
let the parlors go till next year."
He ridiculed the idea at first; got
little angry, and then relented at tn,
sight of tear drop on Stella's cheek
Well. this was what came of it.
In very few days a note was re
ceived by the poor minister, which reat
as follows:
"Please accept the inclosed checl
and use it for the recovery of you
health"
| All, what happy family circle wa
that on which this wonderful good for
tune fell! How much 1t would buy
that precious thousand! What livin
pictures never to be forgotten, never t
fade What beautiful thoughts! Wha
beautiful life currents!
Stella saw him go, thin, emaciated
hollow.eyed; she saw him return
months after, bright, elastic, renewed
body and soul, and ever after every
thing seemed to go well with him.
And none of them all were happie
than Stella Youths Companion.
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parts affected, as podagra, when In IL
feet; chiragra, when in the hands, ETC.; bl
whether the attack is first felt in the feet {
the hands, rub with Salvation Oil at one
1t annihilates pain. Price 25 cents.