The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1892-08-24

her, her eyes fuli or angry tears.
"IIo might as we'll have said what
ho meant" she thought, springing
down and dnrting for the house. "He
thinks ought to cook, wash. make
butter, and work like servant, when
l hive studied so hard and tried to
make myself lady, TIM, hc might not
bc ashamed of me-"
Yet, in her hcart, sho knew that ho
was ashamed of her, and that she de-
served IL. Ashamed that sho could
sit in her room, sclfishly cngrossed In
making pretty articles of dress or
reading, while her cousin, or. as she
was called, Aunt Mary, worked in the
kitchen, The dairy, the poultry yard,
from days dawn till night.
She was not al sciiishness and
hcartlcssncss. though there had grown
thick crust of both over her best
nature. Her ideas of ladies and
gentlemen depended largely upon
clothing and pursuit, aud she had not
quite realized how much more nearly
Johns standard reached the desired
point than her own.
As she drew near the house the
sting of Johns words penetrated more
and more through the crust she had
drawn over her heart, until fresh
stab met her at the door. Looking in
at the open door, she saw white head
bowed in weeping, slight figure
shaken by sobs.
Quickly, through all the selllshness,
sclf-reproach struck at the girls heart
and in moment she was on her knees
beside the low chair, her arms around
the weeping woman.
"Oh, Aunt Mary, what is It? Oh,
please don't cry SO. What has hap
pened?"
"Why, Daisy DEAR" through sobs
that would not be checked at a mo-
ments notice, "don't mind me. I'm
only tired, dcar-only tired"
Could sho have struck deeper?
Tired! At seventy housework does
become wearincssl At seventy IL
may seem if one ought TO rest while
young hands and active feet take up
the burdens. She was very tired, this
patient old woman, who had given
her life work for others; first, for her
parents, then for an invalid brother;
lastly, for the orphan children; with
such innumerablc acts of neighborly
kindness as only the recording angel
of good deeds knows. Well might
shc be tired! II was new to her to be
caresscd, to have tender hands lead
her to her room and loosen her dress,
a tender voice coax her to lie down.
"Now, l will darkon the window"
Daisy said, "and You are to rest.
Sleep IL you can, until dinner time"
"But, Daisy, you cannot make the
dinner"
al will try" was the quick reply.
and Aunt Mary submitted.
Washing potatoes, shelling peas,
frying ham, making coffee, all allowed
thought to be busy, and Daisy sigh
ingly, put away some of her day
dreams over her homcly tasks.
IL cannot be n lady," she thought,
"and John won't bc a gentleman, but
will try to pay my share of the
debts"
Sho had taken of her flounces and
hat and put on plain dress and larg Q
check apron before she began to
work, and she was rather as
tonishci, as her kitchen duties
progressed, to find herself happier
than she had been since she returned +.
When John came 10 dinner he was
astonished to find Aunt Mary "quite
dressed up" rs she blushingy said,
in clean print dress and white apron,
her dear old face showing no sign OF
heat or weariness, while Daisy, with
added bloom and bare white arms, was
carrying in the dinner.
"The ne girl at your service she
sail, saucily, as she pulled down her
sleeves "Dinncr is ready, SIR"
But her lips quivered as he bent
over her aud whispered:
Good bless you, dear. Forgive me
If | was too hasty this morning."
II was a merry meal They made &
play that was more than half earnest
of Aunt Mary's being a great lady
xyoa IN In uaitat uNnn ooi 49,.