Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser., 1890-02-14


ing will induce me to go through a Lon
don season again. tried it once" with
merry laugh, lust to please Violet, but
it nearly killed me, so / wrote to father
to take me away. l should have liked the
balls very well, only ! got so dreadfully
sleepy before they were over, and the rides
In the Row were nice, if only they would
have let me gallop. but l was nearly
taken up for furious riding once when |
could not get Bonnie to stop, and after
that Alick lectured me, and got sick of
it, --z.-
You would not like your sisters life,
them"
Gay shrugged her shoulders with ges-
ture of disgust.
at is not life at all; it is a daily round
of harassing duties. Look what it has
done for Violet-robbed her of spirits and
bloom; she will be an old woman before
her time. The fun is very well, but there
is too much of it. | pined for fresh air,
for the garden, and the bees. and my 9th
er pets. am afraid my partners thought
me dreadfully rustic; seemed to amuse
them. do not care for the young men in
bathrooms, they are 50 vapid, and, for all
their politeness, they seemed to be laugh
ing at one"
could not help smiling at this 1t was
very odd she should be so frank with me-
She must have forgotten that l had no
experience of bathrooms, and had never
danced except at schoOl-parties, when
the girls were allowed to bring their
brothers.
You are looking satirical, Miss Fenton.
Oh, Of course, | see what you mean, but
never mind there are better things than
balls in this life. For my part, prefer
solitary gallop on Bonnie to Strauss best
waltz, though do love dancing, too; but,
you see, neither Violet nor l have been
trained to- a fashionable life. We have
lived in the country. have risen early, and
been in the open air from morning till
night, and now poor Violet never goes
to bed in time to get beauty sleep, and
she drives instead of taking good walk.
SO no wonder her cheeks get pale and
thin"
1T is a grievous pity" began, but Gay
interrupted me.
''Oh. 1t is no use talking about Violet,
have given her up long ago; Alick has
robbed me of her entirely. Now about
your benevolent project; mean to carry
1t out Do you know the Children's In
curable Hospital. Mazda Vale, Violet Is
always working for that. There Is to be
Muriel Cot,' in memory of the dear lit
tie baby she lost Now why should not
have 'Children's Hive aud make those
special bees gather honey for those little
incurable ehildren' call that lovely
idea. Look. that end hive under the ap-
ple-tree shall be the one. Miss Fenton,
you have emancipated me; feel philan-
thropist already; the world will be the bet
ter for me and my workers"
looked ut her admiringly; such love
iy color had come to her face. and her
eyes looked so bright and happy. felt
understood Gay Cheriton from that mo-
ment. She was one of those guileless. in
nocent natures that are long in throwing
of childhood. She was full of generous
impulses, frank and outspoSen to a fault;
the yoke Of life pressed lightly on her; she
was like an unbridled colt; that had never
felt the curb or the spur; gentle guidance.
n word from those she loved, was sufficient
TO restrain her.
knew now why Joyce had called her
the little auntie: there was an air of ex-
treme youth about her; she was so very
lovable that diminutiveness suited her.
aud thought her fathers pet name OF
humming- biri suited her exactly: she was
SO quick and bright and restless, her vi
tality and energy demanded constant
movement.
How | am chatteringf' she said at last.
And have all the vases to fill before
luncheon. but. rs told you last night,
Am fond OF talking il can get anyone to
a1nsl icfa
TO me patiently; she says | am such .
chatter-box. Good bye for the present,
Miss Fenton."
And she tripped away. singing in such q
fresh young voice rs she went down the
orchard that did not wonder when lit
tie brown linnet perched on a rose-bush
answered her. l think the birds must
have loved to hear her.
sat for some time contemplating the
low white gate and the row of bee-hives.
l was rather pleased with the idea l had
started; a word in season sometimes
brings a rich harvest. / thought some
time Of the tiny workers In their brown
livery bringing in their rich stores for the
afflicted children: and it seemed to me
that the Offering would be q sweet SAVIOR
to the Master who loved children.
fell into reverie over it; l thought
how much might be done for others with
little cost il people would only think; it
is want Of thought that clogs usefulness.
Great sacrifices are SO seldom demanded
from US; we are not now called upon to
forsake all that we hold dear and follow
the Christ little daily duties. small
hourly renunciations, pleasures given up
for some cheerful loving service; these
are the free-will offerings that all may
yield; only the people must give willing
ly."
The morning passed pleasantly in the
sunny orchard: when the children tired
of their play we went buck to the house,
that they might have their MONDAY sleep.
was sitting alone in the nursery, mend
ing Reggie's pinafore, when l heard the
clatter of noisy footsteps in the corridor,
and a moment after the nursery latch was
lifted without ceremony, and Rolf peeped
in. He had droll, half-ashamed express
sion on his face, but it bore no trace of
yesterdays ill-humor.
May come in, if you please, Mrs. New
Nurse,"
my name is Miss Fenton, as told you
yesterday; or you may call ME nurse il
you choose. Yes. you may come in and
talk to me if you like, Master Rolf; but
you must be very quiet, as your little
cousins are asleep"
What precious babies they must be to
sleep in the day!' he observed, disiainful-
ly, rs he planted himself without cere-
mony on the window-seat. Il sit up until
ten O'Clock every night; sometimes will
not go to bed until mother goes"
"'E rly to he'd and early 10 ri.e,
Makes man heuithy, wealthy, an wise,'
Master Rolf"
"Wealthy means rich, doesn't it? Well,
Juddy said l shall be rich man some
day. have got fathers watch and sword
now, only mother locks them up until 1
am bigger. You are not rich, eh, Miss
Fenteu." peepng into my face rather
maliciouslv.
mo, Master Rolf" returned. quietly.
"Oh, knew that you are only nurse:
! heard mother aud Aunt Gay talking
about YOU last night. Mother said you
were poor sort, and she wondered at
ViOlet's infatuat ION. She thought you
stuck up and d s greeable, and not much
to look at; plain young woman and very
disrespectful. There now!'