The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1892-08-27
CHAPTER SIi-Continte;l.


a note from tbs rectorS ash ng her to
| come to Mrs. Ivens, who was very sick.
| Waiting only hasty breakfast, and
obeying Brian's Instructions TO wrap
! herself warmly, she departed on her
! errand of mercy.
Through the peaceful quiet Of the
\ Sabbath morning she male her way
over the we'll kept road, Until she
reached the rectory, an unpretentious
I little house, sitting ba k in an equally
npretentious garden.
/ \ narrow, beaten pathway led to the
mod st entrance, and on either side of
/ it were tiny Eorders of dead flowers,
around whose lifeless stems the brown
| leaves chung convuisively.
| Margaret's ring was answered by a
| tired looking maid Servant, who led the
| way into the poorly furnished little
! parIor. While she questioned the girl
| as to her mistress condition Margaret
! eyes Travelled wistfully about the room,
whose CHEEKY homeliness not even the
| notwithstanding influence of poverty,
| could entirely dispel. Yet there was
| something vaguely pathetic in the worn
chairs, the fadel, almost threadbare,
carpet: the few inexpensive ornam ntS,
and the numerous makeshifts; little
plcttISloHS ~ cGiillOIl anu luAul y (,
which deft fingers had fashioned into
| pretty deceptive devices, all presenting
the long and patient labor, thoughtful
love, and tender seif-denial, SO often
wrought into the possessions OF the
poor.
Up stairs in the front room she found
the brave little woman who had seem
ed 50 we'll only few days before,
street ched on Il bed of weakness, the
busy Train no lon-er worrying over the
wants Of a growing family, the tircless
feet resting at last. Near the bed sat
Mr.. lyens, the rector OF the most I'M
popular church in S. He was Il man
of rany talents and attainmentS, hut
unfortunately for himself he lacke the
Eelf-contidence necessary to meet and
overcome the difficulties of life.
Margaret knew and understood a ma
ture so similar 10 her fathers. She
dis oyerei the wealth of learning and
nobility Of soul hidden under an over
master nS ditfidence, and she admired
the qualities which others could not see.
Now as she saw him, bowed by tn
shadow Of a coming great sorrow, Id
I ing the nerveIess hand that had smooth
ed 50 many difficulties for him. yet
whose cheerful aid could never more be
passion no words could express.
He was so engrossed with his grief
that he scarcely noticed her as she
quietly glded to his place beside the
bed, but Irs. Ivens had heard the al
most no.selcss footsteps and opened
her eyes YEARLY.
An, it is you, Margaret" she said
with a momentary flush of pleasure on
her ale face
Margaret nodded cheerily, and laid
her hand, with soothing tenderness,
on the hot, throbbing head. Does it
ache nluch: she asked.
No, Margaret, only little. Will
you tell Mary to get the children ready
for hool2 | should Be up to do it my
sell, oat I am very tired.
Il Gon't believe you ever admitted as
much efore, was Margaret rather
unsteady answer, The children
won go TO school to-day. 1t is Sun
day.
Sunday. and I lying here! James,
why didn't You tell me? We had so
much to do to-day.
Her eyes sought her hu shan Is. but
h was looking rather wistfully at Mar
gurct.
Margaret read the unspoken language
Of that glance, and she found il very
difficult To answer cheerfully.
We are going to let you be lazy to-
day, Ellen, SO that formidable amount
OF work must wait for another Sunday.
| intend to assert my authority. an |, 10
begin. Ill sit here while Mr.. Ivens eats
some breakfast. Mary told me to nd
him down.
The gentleman took this hint, and as
obedicnt as child. left the room. He
know that Elton was safe and happy in
Margaret's hands, and air ady he felt
I better for her cheerful, helpful pres
ence.
Halfway down the stairs he was met
! by q preternaturally grave child OF s
years, whose wistful eyes gaZed sadly
into his. Evidently she had been wait
ing for him, for without word she
stole quietly to his side and allowed her
hand TO glide with reassuring sympathy
into his.
In this silent way they reached the
diuin-rcOm, where Mary had breakfas5
on the table. and three tots aged, re-
speciiyely, SIX, four, and two seated in
/ their high-chafrs, waiting for papa
Little wonder that Margaret's mini
should be filled with pa nful thoughts
o. these LADIES, as she sat by
their mother beds de, or that her eyes
became 50 misty when Ellen expressed
such gratitude for her attentions
IF you only knew how glad it makes
ne tc do even little for YOU, she said.
with struggle t. speak ca 'mlv. You
see, ii i so seldom | can be useful thar
| am particularly progl now If had
been poor, | believe | should have taken
up nursing as a profession.
Yes, but You need not do it now.
Margaret. You don't know what il is
to be poor II is hard for him and the
children
The voice was full Of pain.
i have known. Marsaret answered.
Il have known the pain and cruelty of
( II. The eales of life are so uneven. |
have no more right 10 comfort and luz
urv than YOU have. and VET But
did not come here 70 talk on su.b 4 To-
iul sub Gets. | want to see YOU bright
and haerful. =
! u,r-,r,. ! -, 49,