The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1891-12-04
ADELAiDE'S SACRIFICE.
The Influence Noble, Loving, I'm
selfish Sister Exerted.

She stood holding the open letter in
her hand, her dark eyes shining with
surprise and delight
1t had really come at last. She was
to see something outside of dull old
Manchester. She could not believe it,
and read again the words of her aunt's
letter:
You need change. want you to get away
from all your cares-frOm those great boys
who never appreciate you.an cvendrom Kate
who, hear, imposes upon you. fancy that
hear your protest-but hear me to the end. I've
persuaded Cousin Myra that il is case of duty
to give you rest. and she will come and take
charge in your absence, and you know how ca
pable she is. She can manage to give you that
much time. as Tor wonder no one seems to be
In urgent need of her. Get ready as soon as
you read this letter. l shall give you two
weeks to make all your arrangements. have
waited long enough for this visit. and if should
tell you of all the gayeties ana good times in
store for you. you could not wait even as long
as you must
Adelaide looked at the generous
check inclosed in the letter. With all
Aunt Eleanor's odd, brusquc ways to
others. the girl knew that she herself
had foremost place in her aunt's
heart Eleanor said she hated boys;
they never sat still, and always did
just what you were sure they wouldn't
40. She had been second Betsy Trot-
wood in her deep displeasure when her
sisters first and third children had
proved to be of the sterner sex, but
took her revenge in lavishing all her
- ha 1DiA
When her sister-Adelaidc's mother
had died two years before she was de-
termined that Adelaide should live with
her and share her comfortable income
and the advantages of A. But to
her surprise and dismay the girl gently
but decidedly refused. The gentleness
misled the aunt, accuetomed all her life
to rule; she had no children, and her
husband was the meckest and most in
dulgent of men, but she found in the
young girl before her a frmncss equal
for once to her own.
"Oh, auntie, how could l leave papa
and the children, now in their sorrow?
j must stay with them always. Do
you think | could betray mammals
trust that way? You know she said at
the last: You will care for them, AIDE
laide?'" and overcome by the remem-
brance of that scene so indelibly
stamped upon her memory poor Ade-
laide threw herself ON the lounge in
passion of grief, and ever since AIDE
laide had been housekeeper and sec
ond mother to the household. which
consisted of her father. three children,
besides the two servants.
The oldest child, Rob, would have
resented being classed with the others,
as he was nearly two years Adelalde's
senior, and Adelaide herself was
eighteen. He was boy neither better
nor worse than ordinary boys-full of
fun, rather needless and not as fond
of study as either his father or sister
wished. Louis, the second son, was
quiet, studious boy, three years AIDE
ladies junior, who had to be fairly
driven out of doors to take proper ex-
ercise. Kate, girl of ten, was
healthy, active and inclined to be will
full, but, on the whole, tolerably easy
to govern.
1t was quite a heavy burden to fall
on the shoulders of so young girl as
Adelaide, and of course there were
many trials and discouragements. She
had to give up finishing her last year
at Nine. Ruhl's, and that was
trial The housekeeping was not easy,
though her two girls were we'll trained
and capable, for Mr.. Barringer,
visionary, bookish man, expected that
everything at home should move on
oiled wheels and was very fastidious
about his meals. HE wife had care
fully kept all annoying details from
him, and he expected Adelaide to do
the same. The daughter soon learned
that it was worse than useless to come
to her father with her little troubles
either about children or domestic af-
fairs. Mr. Barringer was so unfortu-
nate as to have all the tastes and
habits of wealthy man, with very
moderate purse; to have the habits and
tastes of scholarly recluse, and yet
be compelled to earn his living as
cashier of the most important bank in
Manchester.
Rob would graduate the coming June
at the Manchester college, and AIDE
laide wondered what would be done
with him then. She had her own wor-