Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1891-09-24


the baby by her side. Very fresh and
pretty she looked in her morning
gown, her fluffy bangs blown and
rufied by the soft breeze, her eyes
aglow, and faint color in her fair
cheeks.
II have finished my breakfast now,
and with your permission will take
baby with me for n walk in the or
chard."
The permission was readily given,
Mrs Mardon wondering meanwhile if
this was merely freak or a desire to
relieve her from the child's care.
In a week Desircc Colburn had made
friends with all the members of the
household. Simple and unaffected in
manner, her sunny disposition made a
welcome addition to the family.
Mrs. Mardon, you must grant me
one favor to-day" she said, appearing
in the kitchen one sultry morning, the
! second week of her arrival
What is it," with a faint attempt
to smile. The headache, which since
dawn had racked the housekeeper' s
throbbing temples. seemed to grow
more painful each hour.
please go into the sitting-room and
lie down on the sofa. have darkened
it and put plenty of pillows where you
can rest until your headache is over"
''Oh, but l can't think of such a thing
The work is to be done, the dinner to
! get. 1t would never do"
II win get dinner and do what is to
be done. 1t will be pleasant change
for me-"
You get dinner?" with an incredu-
lous glance at the white, jeweled
fingers
Yes; / assure You that | am an ex-
cellent cook. l really am determined
to have my own way in this matter, so
you might as well make up your mind
to rest for a short time"
So with many misgiving Mrs. Mar
don went to the sitting-room and De-
stree tripped lightly around the room,
on household tasks intent
But the dinner was well cooked, and,
refreshed by her much-needed rest,
Mrs. MardOn sat in the low rocker by
the kitchen door, her hands occupied
with mending, when Meta came home
with the announcement:
There is to be n picnic at Long
Grove. Where is Miss Colburn?''
''Out in the orchard, | think. She
was kind enough to get dinner to-day,
because l had n headache. She is
dear, thoughtful girl
why, how strange! never
dreamed that she knew how to do any
thing of the kind"
Meta made her way to the orchard
and announced the picnic
Eyes, it will be very nice; we shall
all enjoy it, | imagine. 1t will be a
fine change for your mother; she looks
as if she needed recreation"
Mother? Why she never goes to
picnics." And Meta looked her aston
ishment
"Why not?" with smile
'Well, she doesn't care to go-that is
i don't think she would care to go,
she is always so busy, You know" said
Meta, with some confusion.
Il know she is busy, but we can all
help her more than we have done.
Many hands make light work, you
know, and | am. sure she will enjoy
going"
But mother is so set in her ideas
There will be Il number of people there,
and she never wants me to go with any
body, she is so strict"
My good times are always shared
with my mother; | should not enjoy
them unless they were"
If Meta admired anyone it certainly
was DcSirec Colburn, and it was with
Il glad heart that Mrs MardOn listened
to her daughters urgent invitation.
from whence it was inspired she knew
In the busy days which followed Meta
and Lizzie were brought to see their
selfishncss toward the patient mother,
and this was accomplished so quietly |
by the example and wcll-chosen words |
of the guest that they hardly knew how
they came to n realization of their err |
rOrS.
The picnic passed pleasantly. Miss |
Colburn joined in the different games,
and it WAS a tired but happy group who
took their way homeward
'Wcll, did you enjoy the picnic?'
was the question Desiree asked, when |
she was alone with Meta.
Il never had so good time in my |
life"
Then your pleasure was not marred |
by your mothers presence"
"Oh, Miss Colburn, | suppose you
think ] am the most selfish girl in the /
world. feel ashamed when | think
how | treated mother"
Not SO very selfish but a little
thOughtless, perhaps. Time yet to
make amends, Meta"
The summer passed all too soon.
Little by little Stcve's attention was
attracted by what was going on during
the home evenings. The evenings at
the store were given up, to his mothers
delight. \ literary society was formed
and the young man became n member
fresh impetus was given to reading
and study among the young people,
and when, years after, Deslree COlburp
heard Steve Mar1on, then a successful
lawyer, declare that he owed his sue
eess in life to her encouragement and
efforts during the summer spent at the
isrm, she felt indeed that her reward
was great
And to think felt so sorry that !
was going to have a summer boarder,"
Mrs Mardon often said Owing to her
he girls have developed into noble
women. Steve has made a man of him
'ef, and my load has been lightened.
Truly, in my home have entertained
IA angel unaware. MARY c. Parsons.
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