Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-05-22
tell as Armida was first surprised, then indig-

| tell as AEmida was first surprised, then indig-
| nant, at Jerry's apparent neglect.
Even Lucas has come I'd the door and looked
at me- she complained. land Jerry Amt so
much as been near me-"
strained back that would not allow Jerry to rise
| from the bed. When it was deemed prudent to
tell her. the task fell to Theodore who was very
tender OF his sister, remembering that though
! he considered Jerry q shiftless poor shack Of q
creature. Armida probably had affection for
| him. She took her loss very quietly.
He was always good to me-, she said, "and
| he cared for me when no one else did"
| You're wrong there" Theodore remon-
II used to tell myself 1 was" she replied
s Sadly ~ knew give the first ofiense, but
| house If he'd cared for me-"
Lucas heard the repr0ach where he stood out
OF slght IN the little entry that led to Armida's
room, listening to the brother and sister as they
talked together within. He often fingered
there, wishing To enter, but not daring to; long
| ing to atone for the unhappiness he had caused
his sister, but not knowing how to set about it.
His was one OF those dumb natures which have
no language, and II was an impossibiiity that
he should frankly own his fault and ask forgive
ness; but he could act, and Armidas complaint.
overheard by him, showed him what TO do.
Taking Theodore into his confidence, he set to
work To Obliterate all outward signs that made
IL the divided house." leaving TO his brother
the task OF Keeping it from Armida. AS she
ENORMOUSLY inquired what all the hammering
and pounding that was going on in front of the
house mean I, Theodore had story ready about
the steps to the front porch being worn out
that Lucas had to have some new ones or else
break his legs goin' over them. The smell OF
paint was accounted for by Lucas havin' one Of
his spells OF gittin' his side painted over agin,
ON which Armida gave way to tears until her
brother comforted her by say ing IT didn't make
much difference, new coat couldn't make II
any whittier than IL was.
When both sides of the front porch were
| alike, and the whole house shone with white
paint and there were as many blinds on one
side of the house as the other, Lucas turned his
attention to that debatable ground, the
kitchen.
1t was a great day when Armida was pro-
nOunced well enough to eat breakfast In the
Kitchen. Hobbiing out with the aid OF Iheo.
looked over to where Lucas stood by his win
dow. He greeted her with, "How are We,
Armidy?" but did not leave his place.
Armida looked about her. "It seems good to
git out of my bedroom" she began,-then she
stopped, gazed about her, and sank into con-
venient chair exclaiming, What does 1t
mean?"
For both hers and Lucas old stoves were
gone and a new one stood directly before the
into the old pipe-hole that they used before the
house was divided. The cOffee-pot steamed and
bubUled over the fire. and platter OF nam and
eggs stood on the hearth, while the table set
Tor breakfast was placed exactly in the center
of the room, whose dividing line had been
wiped out by the paint-brush that had ma de
Lucas side shine with yellow paint like her
own.
What does it mean?" she cried, trembling
and ciutching at Theodore's arm. Theodore
said nothing, but slipped out of the room, and
Lucas, after an awkward pause, said: "ArInidy,
wanted, If you was willin', that we should
quit dom as we have zone, and have things
together as we used to. Seems Us If 1t would be
pleasanter, and If you can forgive what I've
done, III try to make it up to ye.'
why, Lucas! Why, LucasI" was all she could
say.
Il know hain't done by We like a BROTHER
said Lucas, anxious to get his SelfimpOsed
humiliation over, land I'm sorry, and I'd like
TO begin over again"
I'm just rs much transgressor as you be-"
said Armida, anxious to spare him. "If l
hadn't said what did 'spose you'd married
Ianthe and like not had a family round ye."
II don't know as l care now," said Lucas;
II have felt hard to we, Armida but l ses
1anthe last March'-he laughed-"and didn't
mourn much that her name want HuXter.
But that's neither here nor there. II you feel as
II you could git along with Two old brothers to
look alter Instead ot one. and can overlook
I'D be glad to. Lucas, if you won't lay up any
thing against me-
We'll, then,' and coming to her side Lucas
bent over her, and to her great surprise kissed
her. Turning away before she could return the
kiss, he opened the back door and called to
Theodore.
AS Theodore came in Lucas said, "If you had
shawl round we, Armidy, wouldn't you like
to git out a minute before breakfast" and with
out waiting tor an answer he brought her shawl
and wrapped it round her, then put on her bon
net.
cant you and I" he said to Theodore, make
chair aud take her out? You haint forgot
sence you left school. hev you?"
Locking their hands together they formed
what school children call a chair, and lifting
Armida between them carried her through the
hall, out at the front door, down the walk to
the gate, and turned round; while Theodore
bade his sister look up at the house. Armida
obeyed. She saw the house glistening with
paint her side OF it as white as Lucas, and
blinds adjoining her front windows, while the
front porch, with new-laid floor and steps and
bristing with brackets, was, in her eyes, the
most imposing OF entrances.
Could it be true? she asked herself, and shut
her eyes; then glanced again. then looked at
her brothers, VINO were both SILENT Theodore
smiling with joy, while Lucas looked gravely
down at her.
ION, Lucas! she cried, throwing her arms
around his neck, you done this for mc!'
Il told you L was sorry, Armidy," ne said.