Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1886-07-10

ed for the minister's wife who had
been her mothers dearest friend
and whom she herself had never
seen but once, and that when a very
small child.
Presently she entered-a delicate
faded, but still beautiful woman
and with an exclamation of delight
came forward.
Ann gave the wrong name,n she
said, rapidly, kissing her, or
should have had you brought direct
y to my own room. Why, how
chilled you look Come up stairs
into my snuggery, sittingroom, nurs
cry, all in one," and Stella followed
her, glad Of the change.
There, in a room frightened by
the sun and warmed by a good fire,
a homely, rag carpeted, but really
cheerful place. Stella soon felt COM
pletely at her ease. Three little girls,
the eldest ten, the youngest a sweet
little fairy of a blue-eyed baby, were
presented to her, and after she had
admired them and their surround
lngs, and mentally resolved that their
rag babies should be replaced by the
very prettiest dolls that could be
bought for money, she entered into
conversation with her mothers
friend.
g Your mother and / were almost
imseparable from the time we were
babies togethertill we were married.
said Mrs. Sturgis, her sweet face
frightening with pleasant recollec-
tions. "After that we saw each
other less, but the light of our love
burned just as brightly. We always
correspondent, and exchanged little
keepsakes till she died. Your faith
er had not much fortune at that
time, and-she paused, with sud
den saddening of the face. AT that
moment sharp cough caught Stel.
las ear and rustllng as of papers.
:" It's Lewis" said Mrs. Sturgis in
an altered voice; nothing worries
me like that cough ; and then he is
so worked! It's almost pity he is
as willing as he is, for it really seems
as if he was at every body'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 himselfcame IN
a tall, handsome man, his face pale
and noble, his whole manner indica-
ting the possession of superior tai
ents. Stella never so pitied any hui
man being as she did this self-sacri-
ficins. earnest worker for the good
of souls.
When she left, little Carrie, the eld-
est OF the girls, was treated to ride
I" Oh. miles and miles !" as she cried
describing it to her mother, as she
came back into the sunshiny room
/" ard the pretty lady had stopped
at a shop aud 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 we're! So
happy that all their prattle turned
upon Stella's visit and the great
things it was to do for them.
Stella went home more thoughtful
thap when she drove away. She had
learned some sad lessons that day,
and lher eager heart was ready to
profit by them. She could see for
herself that the minister's family was
reallypoor; that the children's frocks
were made out of older and quantity
fashioned garments, that Mrs. Stur-
gis was worn with care and that the
minister would soon be beyond re-
coveEy, unless help speedily came.
she walked straightway into the
parlor, after she had Invested her
selR of her wraps. 1t had never
looked so cheerful, SO absolutely
beautiful as now.
There was the well.heaped CRATE,
glowing with anthracite; the SHIN
ing costly pictures; the soft, bright
colors IN the rich carpet. What il
the pattern was little cut of date 7
To be sure, peoble who could afford
it, laid down patterns of more sub
dued tints and bordered them with
lovely colors, but the carpet had
been one of her mothers own choos-
ing, 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 a
valuable life.
The conversation was opened at
the supper table. Stella had array
ed herself in her most becoming
dress, put flowers in her hair, and
called in the aid ofall that was beau.
tlful and refining like Queen Esther
of old, and her fatbar;s ava racfad