The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1892-09-14
LOVE AND PRIDE.

lighted library. just after dinner lie
had brought me here TO tell him II
story. Cecil was a spoiled child. We
all rccogniz ii that fact, but as we had
consprcd to spoil him we could not
blame him for insisting upon the
privileges we had so unwiscly ac-
! corded Thus IL came about that |
was spending my evening hero while
the others amused themselves in the
distant pirlor.
"What shall IL bep" asked. pre-
pared TO thrill my small nearer
with some wondrous tale.
"Anytlling," he said, drawing my
arm about him. "Iou know 80 many,
DOROTHY"
"Anything," was very vague, but
after hard thinking some impulse
prompted me TO tell him the story of
BaldCr, Baldur the god. | was not
sure that lie would like il, but he did.
The little face grew flushed aud
earnest; he leaned forward, his eyes
eager and shining as lto'd of the great
deeds Of the god and cvcryonc's love
for him. And when | came to Loki,
describing his trcachcry and cunning,
the scorn and anger OH Cecil's face al
most made me laugh. finished with
the grand funeral ship sailing out over
the waters while the warriors
mourned on the shore and he sank
back with deep sigh.
"Don't you like my story?" | asked,
as he did not speak.
"Oli, yes, it is the best of them
ALL" Suddenly, after another silence.
"Dorothy, rrc there any such men
now?"
''No. dear, but there are good ones
STILL" answered dreamily, thinking
of some lives knew. not godlike, but
80 truly noble in the face of bitter
circumstances.
He was very quiet after that, nest
ling cozily in my arms with his eyes
on the fire, the little head full of
thought.
"D1rothy,' he said at last, "isn't
DR.. Harcourt noble and brave?"
felt The color flash to my face.
81 don't know, Cecil; thought SO
once, but lately he has not acted very
bravcly."
"Why not, DorothyP"
"Oh, can't tell cxactly-hc is
fighting a chimcra aud is allowing i,
to master him."
l spoke drcamily and to myself
rather than TO the child. At that
moment, before he could ask any
moro questions, tho door bell rang
| hoard my sister Hclen's voice, then
the closing of the parlor door and al
was still again; but moment latcl
there came a tap at the library dool
and DR.. Harcourt opened it and cam,
In. The light was too dim for him /,
see US till l laughed aud said;
"Good evening"
"What arc YOU doing here In til,
dark?" he asked, coming over to tho
fire. ''lIas she been telling you ghos
stories Cccil?"
"No." scornfully, "I don't lik,
ghost stories; Dorothy never tel
them."
IL have been leading him 'll,rougl
old myillologies gravcly SWEET" cx
planned as DR.. Harcourt sat down op
posite us.
"Drcaming, as usual" he laughed
ssI wonder IL You will ever come dow
to practical life, Dorothy?"
Cecil lost his support then, for
drew myself upright; 1t was no
pleasant to DO called dreamer, espe
cially when l fanc.ed myself GROWN,
20 stcrnly practical.
"Have l made another blundcr p
smiling at my angry face. "You mus
pardon my prosaic view of things.
Then, his tone changing suddenly
"Helen tells me you have been out to
day"
"Yes."
But horo Cecil interrupted; slipping
down from my side he went over t
tho doctors chair and climbed on III
knee.
Something sent my thoughts bac
~ The timc. three YEARS ago. whan
t3 " ..lt ~. p 2