Tombstone epitaph., 1890-03-22

Mollie's ready answer. ''Waiting to be taken cut the minute reach Elsie's to- morrow afternoon" "
 "Oh, Helen, u exclaimed Amy, ''d0 tell us about Daisy Bliss party. l have no1 heard a word, and 1 am just longing tc l know"
 Consequently Helen launched into one of those lengthy and comprehensive de scriptions so delightful to girjish hearts | And IS she felt quite i'll her native ele ment, and no interesting detail had es 1 caped her observant eyes, i6 bid fair tz rival "the story without an end," ana was only concluded by the ringing of tie tea hell. which was followed by q genera, 1 leave taking, when, after repeated kisses | and caresses and many earnest entreaJies | to ''write real often and tell us eVc9y- thing, " the girls departed.
 It is needless 10 relate the varied pleas ure5 of the next three months; suffice il that Mollie considered it. the lovelfst summer she had ever spent and the few minutes practice had become such mat l ter of course. that she ielt no temptation to neglect it.
 The months glided rapidly by, and, al | most before she knew it, MUllie found herself on the threshold of another year. She was playing over some Of her old pieces, with a happy sense of her recov- l cred power, when Bessie Arlngton aD- peared, followed by Amy and Helen.
 "We're the visiting committee," she | explained. Come to inquire into the state of your accomplishments. I sup pose you've not forgotten that your year is up?"
 NO said 1Iollie laughing. ''But l shall commence another one tomorrow"
 "Goodr' cried Amy. That's what gall perseverance.
 'Hushn' cried Bessie ''T'm the chair woman. Come, girls, let's proceed to business. hIOllie you never know what thing, are worth until they are tested, and 90 We are going to test you"
 Have pity on mer' pleaded Mollie, in mock despair. ''Is it to be bv the ordeal of fire, or thumbscreWs, or what|'
 ''No," said Bessie, grayely. We are l not quite educated up to that yet BuJ I want to see if your practicing this past year has amounted to anything, and so ] have brought over this sonata for you to play as a kind of examination, you know. :" And Bessie seated herself in an easy chair, with what was intended fol look of judicial severity.
 But I've never seen it before," fal- tered Mullie. And I know 1 can't play it nicely if I feel you are all watching me"
 "'Tisn't very hard" whispered Amy, encoura ginCly.
 q think is awful, :" sighed Helen. q ried it this morning. and l couldn't get tbroarh six meas ares.
 NoIIie settled herself on the piano stool, turned up the corners of the leaves and began to play at first slowly and with hesitation, and then with increasing clear ness and strength, and, as she became more interested, with nicety of touch and an intelligence of expression that re- veuled the benefit of the p.,st years c7re- ful practice As she struck the last chord she faced her small audience Wijh an aU of pardonable pride, and asked triumph antlv: Well, Bessie, what do you think of ten minutes a day now?"
 Lessie's look of severity vanished, all5 she spraug from her chair and gave n5s friend a most undignifed hug You ve done beautifully" she cried q knew you would all the time. But it's in me to be pervCrse, and thought it might in spire you to have an unbelieving creature like me around. did it for your good, my dear, she added sagely.
 That night, when Nellie retired 10 her room, she noticed on her bureau tWO small drawings that bore the marks of Helen's pencil. One was the picture of a little girl perched on a high piano stool and practicing, with marveloUsly long fingers, and an expression that was evidently in tended for fierce determination. This rather weak looking portrait was entitled 'Past Perseverance. n The other was the Ggure of a tall and striking young lady il a much heribbOned and belOwered gown, standing by 8 piano, in the act of mailiLs ] profound courtesy to an unseen audi ,nce, while bouquets of enormous prOpor- ions were falling at her feet. This truly extraordinary work of art was labeled Future Fame" Mollie had hardly ex- 7nined them when she caught sight of raper fastened to pin cushion and bear .ng these words. ip Amy's delicate hand .gzf1ng, but signed with Bas5ie's name:
 eIads and lassie5 musical
 Come, listen while y'e may;
 The only way to learn to play
 Is to practice every day.
 This is Miss Iollie Winthrop,
 Who pIGcti.Cd faithfully,
 And now she's the greatest prodigy
 The world did ever see.
 And if you would be Ike her.
 You must with patience play,
 Your scales and exercises
 Ten minutes every day.
 Mollie laughed meTrily over these char Acteristic verses, and then she said. .hougLtfu!ly, "Ycs, it's really been success, and it's such very little thing .o do. Oh, wish every girl would try it Pm sure they would if they only knew ROW well it's paid ''-ChrisJian Union.