Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1889-12-27

ing pnas- % sns E>Aii,itloa Rosd the
flowers girls were basy wiJli their baskets
of snowdrops and violets. bought few
Tor Aunt Agatha, then rememb ered that
Uncle Keith had weakness for partic-
ular sort of SC one, and bought some and
A slice CT rich Dundee seed-cake. felt
like schoolgirl providing a little home
feast; biIt how pleasant it is to cater for
those We love! l was glad when my short
journey was over, and / could see the
river shimnering steely blue in the
spring sunshine. The old church towers
seeEIed more venerable and picturesque.
AZ walked down High Street l looked at
tie well-known shops with an interest l
never felt before.
When / reached the cottage I rang very
SOFTLY. that Aunt Agatha should not be
disturbed. Patience uttered pleased ex-
clamation when she caught sight of me.
rs it really yourself, Miss Merles L
could hardly believe my eyes. Mistress
is in there reading" pointing to the draw
ing-room ''She has not heard the bell,
I'll be bound, so you can surprise her
finely
acted on Patience's hint, and opened
the door noiselessly. How coy the room
looked in the freight and could any
sight be more pleasant to my eyes than
dear Aunt Agatha sitting in her favorite
low chair, in her weIl-worn black silk and
pretty lace caps shall never forget her
look of delight when she saw me.
Merle! Oh, you dear child Do you
mean it is really youf Come here and let
me look at you. / want to see what
seven weeks of hard work has done for
you"
But Aunt Agatha's eyes were very dim
IS she looked.
There, sit down, and get warm" Civ
ing me an energetic little push, land tell
me all about it, Your letters never do
you justice, Merle. | must hear your ex-
perience from your own lips"
What a talk that wasi 1t lasted all the
afternoon, until Patience came in to set
the tea-table, and we heard Uncle Keith's
boots on the scraper; even that sound was
musical to me. When he entered the
room | gave him good hug and had put
some of my violets in his button-hole long
before he had left off saying 'Hir-rumph"
in his surprise.
''She looks well, Agatha does she nots"
he observed, as we gathered round the
tea-table. $50 he scheme has held out
for seven weeks, Ell? You have not come
to tell US you are tired of being a nurse?"
mo, indeed" | returned, Indignantly.
''I am determined to prove to you and the
whole world that my theory is a sensible
one. | am quite happy in my work-per-
fectly happy, Uncle Keith. | would not
part with my children for worlds. Joyce
is so amusing, and as for Reggie, he is
such darling that | could not live with
out him."
sit is making woman of Merle, l can
see that" observed Aunt Agatl a. softly.
81 confess did not Ike the plan at first,
but if you make it answer, child, you will
have me for a convert. You look just as
nice and Just as much a lady as you did
when you were leading a useless life here.
Never mind if in time your hands grow a
little less soft and white; that is small
matter if your heart expands anq your
conscience is satisfied. You remember
your favorite motto, Merle?"
"Yes, indeed, Aunt Agatha-I 5Ordre
est ordre. Now must go, for I'm. lie Keith
is pulling out his watch, which means
have to catch my train"
But as / trudged over the bridge beside
him in the starlight, and saw the faint
CLEANS lying on the dark, shadowy river,
voice seemed to whisper to my inner
consciousness, Courage, Merle; a good
beginning makes a glad ding. Hold
fast to your motto-LGJordra est orGre."