Semi-weekly interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1881-1905, 1892-03-25
CHAPTER III.

our years Ntu tltSNtN.
A very silent family sat at the break
fast table this August morning; the
head of the family had descended in an
irritable mood; and his women-folk, ob.
serving the Fuckers on his brow, were
nervously anxious 10 avoid calling his
attention to themselves.
"rhc coffee is cold, Mabel It's
strange that we never have decent cup
of coffee in this houser'
For nearly four years our cousin Ma
bel had been our stcp-father's wife; he
had long ago ceased To smile at her be-
nignly, and ceased to extol her virtues.
The toast is tough" he grumbled.
MY dear, will you be good enough to
give little thought - these domestic
duties? There is one of your children
crying--is that Sydney aCain?"
II think so, dear, was the gentle,
nervous reply
Il thought forbade him to cry"
"Ies, but-but, you forget, Adrian.
/ He's such baby-too young 70 under
stand"
Not too young 20 be ruined by in
diligence After breakfast You can go
to the nursery and send sydney into the
study 70 me"
Adrian, YOU are so severe with him. "
'On the contrary, Mabel, | am most
gentle. But one can not too early teach
ones children % understand the iuev-
table consequences Of their own actions.
When Sydney diS;arbs our comfort by
crying in a foolish and pceyish manner,
we disturb bis idea Of comfort by seat
ing him without his toys for two OF
three hours, with his face toward the
wall in the corner oI my study
But
Enough ON The subject, Mabel. Pray
do not become argumrnElve, my dear. ~
a painful silence ensued silence so
heavy and painful mat Alice, my
youngest sister. boldly broke 1t
NAB. do YOU know that Ned Barnets
going abroad" lie J.. heard it
Alice suffered for her holiness; our
step-iathc looked slowly IN her direc-
ton.
Nv hen was that irOcE OF yours cream,
ALICE
Yesterday. papa"
$50 | imagined, my dear was the
y
from the laundreSS are eVtortionste.
You will wear No more washing frocks
this summer. After breakfast You can
take of that dirty dress and put on the
black serge 20" were wearing In the
winter You VIII wear h"th ing else I'M
ul give YOU permission.
Papa. there's the Barnets' garden
party to-day
"iou can wear your black serge-or
remain at home
lie rose as he spoke, carefully brush
ing spcck al aust rom M sleeve lie
had successfully depressed the spirits oil
US all and hlS own temper hsd grown
almost placid; the crtas's In ms brow
had smoothed themselves out and he
went slowly ana cohiehbulS away 10 az.
minister ieproot 20 ms three-year-old
son In the study.
went out 81 doors INTO the garuen
ana there' nan an hour later' hiIce
joined me. she was pretty grsceful
girl OF sixteen. She came walking
slowly toward me with very woe-be'
gone counJensnc". The serge dress was
badly made ana TOO small Tor her' the
n"V''4"i was ''H' ""u 1"I'N' ~ "sH
3 last winters irock-and last winter
Alice had worn her skirts short and
lately she had tasted the dignity OF
skirts that reached her ankles
"Look at me, Nab" She cried, the
tears in her eyes, her voice indignant,
yet pitiful, Nab, tell me truthfully, do
| look 4b-uld?'
"'Thc dress i lideouS but you look
pretty in spite Of it," said | lovingly.
Dear old Nab. oh. Nab, / wish the
taoles could b- turned for bit and We
could be the tvrant,. | should like Ia
dress DADA in a >chool-boy Jacket and an
Eton col AT. and make him wear his hair
long in ringlets."
We laughed. Alice linked her hands
around nv arm. and We strolled slowly
together down the garden paths between
the trim beds with their low. closely
cropped box-bordcrS. louged to ask
question; simple question enough, but
il Ms oulp with an nfnrt after ,utt,h