Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1893-04-29

Whittier aloud, to help make Hester
forget her own thoughts and her
own suffering.
External Goodness" was one of
Jeans favorites and she had just
| read:
Il know not where His islands lift
Their fronded palms in air;
only know, 1 cannot drift
Beyond his love and care,
when Hester interrupted her so I'M
patiently.
.Don't think l am cross, Jean
DEAR she added. cit is only this
constant struggle; it is enough to I'M
dermine the sweetest nature, and the
most orthodox Presbyterianism. Let
me be. and l shall be better after a
while"
So Jean had Strengthened the band
age about the poor foot, and given her
sister book, and sat idle herself.
She was thinking out plan that
had come to her as she was busy that
morning, with hats and bonnets.
Hester used, in the old careless,
happy days, to be fond of painting,
and her deft fingers and ready brush
had accomplished some very good
work. Here she had no opportunity:
there were too many real artists for
an amateur to succeed, when bread
and butter depended on success.
But now a plan to give Hester some
work she would enjoy had come to
Jean. She would get 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 time 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 were 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 by 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 it was
not very expensive after all.
''Oh, thank you." cried Hester, as
soon as she saw what Jean had in the
package. II shall enjoy it so much,
and who knows, maybe I can paint
something that will sell. Only, Jean,
l cannot afford the flowers to paint
from as l used to, and I do so hate to
use cards, the designs are sure to be
stiff"
"Why do you not paint two or three
from the same design" said Jean.
'sYou remember that beautiful bunch
of Easter lilies you painted from the
ones David sent you? I 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 alluslon
to old days. and to David. But
finally she had said it, and Hester
was not hurt; but only looked
thoughtful for while, and then an
sWered
"That was admired, as much as
anything I ever did. Yes, Jean, I
am sure 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 so 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 BOOK store
where such things were speciality.
She came back much eIated to find
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 her old self.
Jean came in rosy and fresh from
her walk in the crisp air.
The doctor took 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 unaccount-
able manner. Someway she had
grown conscious lately that the doc
tors visits were kepJ 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 quite frank with him,
this very night.
And so when he rose to go, she fol-
lowed him down the narrow stairs to
the door, and said: stDr. Barton, I |
fear we cannot pay you very soon, but
l shall attend to it as promptly as
possible"
She felt angry with herself, that
she had so dreaded saying this to the
doctor.
ut is just the same as making
L