Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1893-03-31

II atpateur 70 succeed. when bread
and butter depended on success.
but now . plan to give Hester some
work she would enjoy had come TO
Jean. She wculdRet some paints the
NEXT day, and Hester should not have
any more such long, dreary days.
Then her thoughts went back to
the old happy timc when they had
only understood the art Of spending
money, and nothing Of making it.
Then she thought OF David Lock-
wood. They had known David eyer
since they e children, and Jean
remembered sadly how glad she had
been when she found that he and
Hester were engaged.
Then had come the quarrel with
David, which was followed almost
Immediately bv his departure for
Europe. Then their fathers loss OF
fortune, his sickness and death, and
ever since that this weary struggle.
The next day she brought home
the materials for painting. Hester
had some water-colors, and SO IL was
not very expensive after all.
"Oh, thank you," cried Hester, as
soon as she saw what Jean had in the
package. IL shall enjoy il so much,
and who knows. maybe ] can paint
something that will sell. Only, Jean,
] cannot afford the flowers to paint
from as l used to, and l do SO hate to
use cards, the designs are sure to be
stiff"
s'Why do you o paint two or three
from the same design" said Jean.
"You remember that beautiful bunch
of Easter lilies you painted from the
ones David sent you? l think you
could do that again from memory.
Hester: l am sure YOU could
Jean had hesitated all evening with
this suggestion upon her lips, for fear
Of hurting her sister by this aiIuslon
to old days, and to David. But
finally she had said it, aud Hester
was not hurt, bat only looked
| thoughtful for IA while. and then an
swcred:
THAT was admired, as much as
anything [ ever did. Yes, Jean, l
| am sure l can paint that without the
flowers"
SO the next day she went to work,
and when Jean came home at night
there were three cards finished. The
largest and best, a bunch OF Easter
lilies 70 perfect that they almost
seemed fragrant.
Jean made a special trip before
dark to the city, and succeeded in get
ting s. for three cards at a BOOK store
where such things were a specially.
! She came back much elated to lind
that the doctor had extended his pro-
fessional visit into a friendly call,
and talking to Hester. who was laugh
ing at some witty saying, and who
looked almost like ner old self.
Jean came in rosy and fresh from
her walk in the crisp air.
The doctor took a look at her with
admiring eyes '.You do not need
any of my medicine, Miss JEAN" he
said, laughing.
And Jean found herself blushing.
in the most ridiculous and %pnaccount-
grown conscious lately that the doc
tors visits were kept up because he
liked to come, more than because
Hester needed the calls He had
been coming for five weeks now, and
Hester would soon be able to be out
again. Jean found herself thinking
of the time when the visits would
cease with some sadness. She in
tended to be quito frank with him,
this very night.
Aud so when he rose to SO, she fol.
lowed him down the narrow stairs to
the door, and said: '.Dr. Barton. ]
fear we cannot pay you very soon, but
| shall attend to 1t as promptly a.
possible"
She felt angry with herself, thai
she had SO dreaded saying this to the
doctor.
ut is just the same as making
terms with the grocery-man or tht
butcher. and ! do not flush w ane
feel SO foolish and embarrassed al
that" she thought angrily. But fol
some reason it had not seemed quit,
the same.
DR.. Barton had bowed gravcly, ant
said for her to use her own con
venience in the matter. And ther
he had taken her hand, to say 'Good
night" and looked with such a kim
| smile into her eyes, as he said: 'Y0,
|, must not work too hard, even to pa!
my bill; ] can wait. Your health j
OF far more Importance than thu
money, toto your sister"
Jean knew that he had not in
I tended to finish that way.
She-wsAt.ba back to Hester, with
! strange happiness anu -,"sent4Q-Ae
heart. She felt that a new joy WA
coming to her. so supreme that
i crowded out all lesser and baser feel
ings.
The next night as they sat reading
there was a step IN the ball.
"lt is Doctor Barton said Jean
.'But he has been here once to-day.
Then there came a knock.
8 "No, 1t is not the doctors step,
said Hester, as Jean went to tn
: door.
The upper hall had no light; it wa
| considered an unnecessary luxury
/. Only a dim flicker came from tn
t lamp in the lower hall.
A gentleman stood in the uncertai
light, silent for a moment, and the
{ before Jean could speak. he had take
. her in his arms and kissed her.
.9)h, JEAN" he cried, "have
really found you at last? Tina
blessed, blessed Easter card. shaI
Q keep 1t as long rs l live"
Jean drew him into the warm
bright room, and he did not wal
Tor explanations II forgiveness. IL
just gathered Hester up in his arms
4 as il he had a right. And she oni
t said: .sOh, David. why were you S
long coming?" as il she had been e,
pecting him all the time.
. Then he told them how he had bee