The morning call., 1892-03-07
A BOWL OF CRUEL.

till they met in grlZzled line across MS
forehead.
"It's burnt" said he.
WELL" tartly exclaimed Adelina, II
burnt my hand. too, that is, l scalded IL
dreadfulIy when was stirring in the meal.
1t spluttered and dubbed up! But as for
the gruers being burnt. that's only your
notionl I'm sure didn't cook it long"
NO." Uncls Joshua calmly reJoined.
"you didn't cook il long enoughl 1t tastes
raw, But the milk was burnt. And you've
got ii too salty! l can't eat It'll 1t takes
kHack 10 make good cruel. 1t seems TO me
that a woman of your age. Adellny-most
co, arn't ye?-ought 10 know how to COOK
something fit for sick person to eat!
An angry red burned on Adelna's cheeks.
She seized the bowl Of condemned Cruel ana
Hounced down into the dining-room where
the rest of the family were assembled.
"TlI never cook another thing for him as
long as liver she exclaimed. do wish,
ma, that when Uncle Joshua sent word that
ne was coming TO visit US, you had written
10 him that we were sick. or something,
and that it wasn't convenient!'
Don't be RASH" said Mrs. Dart, sharp
nosed matron. with calculating, gray eyes
Folks say he's rich!
81 don't believe % retorted Adelina.
''Nor DO l!i echoed her sister Blanche.
!suguid blonde IF he is worth anything
why does he dress SO shabby? | almost
die Of shame every time he goes TO church
with us"
land think Of his homer continued Adj
elina. That little red farmhouse. with its
rag carpets, feather beds and windows
that won't let down at the top-its awfnil
why, / thought it was q lovely place,
with It's slipping, Undiscovered roof and the
big elms around it," said Dolly.
We have mentioned Dolly last. because 1t
seemed to be the fashion in the Dart house.
hold. Ever since she was tiny lass and
her father had foOlishly welded the Widow
Wood and brought her and her two grown
up daughters 10 his home, Dolly had been
very insignificant person.
Papa Dart did not long survive his folly,
and after his death Dolly was treated worse
than ever. She did most Of the work and
had least of the pleasure. Adelina and
Blanche seemed 10 have a sort of spite
against her. Perhaps it was owing to jeai-
ousy Of her beauty, for Dolly was very
pretty.
Few Of the fashionable set in the town of
Conoyer knew anything about Dolly
."She is such mere child yet-too young
TO go into society,"" Mrs. Dart would care
lessly remark; Il have Adelina and Blanche
to chaperon, and when they are comfortably
settled in life, why then in be time for
Dolly to come OUT 1t isn't likely that she
cares much about 1t, anyway, she's such a
home-body"
Dolly was home body, but, like most
young girls, she had longing for pretty
clothes and gay festivities. And when she
heard about the Christmas ball that was To
be given down at Squire Delan0's. the nabob
OF the town, IN honor Of the return of his
son and daughter-the former from Ger
man University and the latter a wise. young
damsel from Nassar-when she saw, with
her own eyes, the dainty, cream-tiDted in
vitation with her own name, Miss Doro-
thy Dart" written on if, she wanted to go
very much, indeed, and. for a wonder, SUM
moned up enough boldneSs to manifest her
desire.
Why, Dolly, what can you be thinking
Off exclaimed her siepmother. "YOn know
cannot afford 10 get you a new dTeSSp'
- can wear my white mustn't" stOutly
persisted the young girl.
Your old muslin? That wouldn't do at
all! You'd be real dowdyr'
she might have my blue silk fixed over"
suggested Blanche, WHO was not bad
hearted If folks didn't set her up to it.
Adellna frOwned. You said you were
going 10 have your blue silk colored and
Raalf2gie Ken gtQr a. Natteau wrapper" she re-
Yes ! did Intend to-" Blanche replied,
subdned by the frown. and Mrs. Dart ended
the conversation by saying decidedly:
You see, Dolly. IFS quite impossible |!
What with Adelina's new wine-cOored
satin and Blanche's silk, can't afford to
spend penny more"
Now ii so happened that Uncle Joshua
had never paid much attention TO Dolly.
do and that he would not add to her cares.
or he had preferred 10 have her half-sisters
wait on him. But he took kindly notice of
Der now, when. after her little battle, she
came up stairs. bringing him bowlof Cruel
that she had made with her hands, for, wise
little woman that she was, she knew that
he best way to cure her own unhappiness
was to do kind act for somebody else.
You made it,. you say?" tasting it.
That's first rate! Neither too thick nor
fcnfr
raw: Sailed all right, too. Humpb! Guess
you'll do ii you are mere chit. But what
MAKES your eyes SO red, child? Been stand
nag 100 long over the hot stove cooking for
an old ogre like me? No! I'll bet my best
white Cheshire pig that you've been cry
ing"
Dolly began to give little half-hysterical
denial, but the old gentleman was so kind
and sympathizing that before she hardly
knew it the whole story of her desire and
Ter disappointment cane out
Humph! humpht humph! Too bad.
chiid, was all that Uncle Joshua sad
while he slipped his cruel in big spoonfuis
And when the bowl was empty he said
wish you'd write note to Miss Amanda
Barlow and ask her if she wont come over
and have game of cribbage with me-"
NOW MISS Amanda Barlow was one Of the
arlstocratc spinSters Of the town, but she
and Uncle Joshua had been old friends and
schooimates, and. odd and old-fasbioned as
d It a
cordlngiy. she answered the note in person,
ana the crlbbage cards were forthcoming
but Imagine the game wasn't very spir-
tied one. for the old couple seemed to be
Taking very earnestly about something else.
and before she went home Miss Amanda
called Dolly one side and said In low tones :
30, you want to 60 to the party, do you.
my deal? We'll, both your uncle and N.Y.
sell would like to have you 20. for It's going
TO De very fine affair. AS for your old
m drn IL H. . l.
me. Perhaps may be able to fix IL up with
some lace and ribbons. Don't mention this
70 any one. Wen surprise Mrs. Dart and
her daughters"
Dolly knew how TO make other nice dishes
Tor the sick, and now, that the rest of the
family had let him fall into her hands. Uncle
Joshua Jared sumptuOusly.
should think you'd trot your feet off p
e blanche observed commiseratingly, while
Mrs; Dart added with sigh Of relief:
Wen, It's mercy some one suits the old
man! L don't know what we'd do If we
had to wait on him, now that we are so busy
getting ready for the party!'
The evening for the aforementioned event
came Mrs. Dart aud her daughters drove
off in a state of high satisfaction. and hardly
had the sound OF their hired hack died away
before Miss Amanda's private carriage
dashed up the road-"For all the world like
fairy godmother's pumpkin coach!" as
Dolly aiterward laughingly expressed 1t.
Mss hihaHua HcISeIl aiignteQ from the
carriage, stately In her black velvet and
diamonds and bearing a large package in
ner hands. 1t contained not the flimsy mus
In (w hIch she had taken merely as ruse
to get Dolly's measure), but instead an
elaborate gown of white silk brocaded with
tiny pink and silver roses. A pair of dainty
pink satin slippers, q huge fan of rosy
ostrich plumes. a necklace of pink coral sat
In exquisite silver flagree work and big
bouquet OF fragrant roses completed the
outfit.
" For me p Dolly gasped.
For your said Uncle Joshua, who had
hobbied to the door on his crutch and stood
peerng in with kindly smile on all this
fnery. That's to pay for the nice bowl of
ado And