The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1894-08-16

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were satisfactory would give me anoth-
er order. Isn't it jolly? | was becom-
ing quite discouraged, for the lady that
tends to such things was not in and
Mr.. Lee, you know, is old and could
not see much in the work"
Helen stopped to take a breath and
then ratified off again, and finally
ended by asking Kate when she was to
have the cakes ready.
They are ready now, and the boy is
to come for them at eleven. l don't
believe | ever had better luck than l
have had this morning. Why didn't
we think of this last summer instead
of dreaming away three months?'
Kate took the hot grease from the
stove and covered up the cakes as she
spoke.
A glimpse of the mail carrier passing
the house put an end to the CONVERSE
ton. and both rushed to the sitting
room to see what he had brought. He
was just handing Bess a letter through
the window, and from the way her face
frightened her sister guessed, and
guessed rightly, that the letter was
from Paul.
Paul Gourtley was an old friend and
neig hbor of the family and school
mate of Bess. They had attended the
academy together and the college as
far as the junior year, when Bess gave
out physically. Paul had completed
the course and was now studying law
at New York.
laorAl 1a,. hool
her pillow and read the letter aloud.
Paul's letters were always full of col
lege enthusiasm. Kate pronounced
them Jolly" and they all agreed with
her
Paul's school, so the letter read
would not close until July. and he in
tended spending the remainder of the
summer in an office of the city, and by
so doing could finish by the following
April.
The girls were sorry of this because
Paul had been their neighbor for so
long that they looked upon his home
coming with much pleasure and many
plans for good time. But a domineer-
ing step-father made his home life I'M
pleasant, and the girls could not blame
him for remaining away most of the
time.
Kate and Helen worked steadily and
with good will. And although the
novelty of the enterprise soon wore off,
the determination remained and kept
them from becoming discouraged
One day along in July Helen was
sitting by the window drawing threads
for scarf. Bess sat opposite, gazing
out of the window with vacant
stare. A tear rolled down her cheek
but she hastily brushed it away and
! glanced quickly at Helen, who was
still working away. Bess was wonder
ing if she would ever be strong and
healthy like Kate and Helen. She
dreaded the thought of having to stay
in the house day after day, week after
week and month after month. She
often went out for short walks but
they only made her feel tired and did
not satisfy her. for she had the same
ambition her sisters had, but the
strength was lacking.
Helen had noticed the tear and saw
her sister looking at the thin, pale
hands lying in her lap. She dropped
her work and went over to her side
and gently stroked the white forehead
saying:
whats the matter dearie?'
"Oh, nothing much" said Bess. ~
was just wondering if l ever would be
strong like you
Don't worry, little one" said Helen.
kissing the pale cheek. "As it is, you
are worth twice as much as either
Kate or |. We are trying to learn
your lesson of patience and cheerful
ness, but we don't succeed. What's
the secret, Bessie?"
I'm not patient, nor cheerful
either. l am disconnected and i'm
patient every day. You may not "a
ways see it for God helps me to look
on the bright side and see my bless
ings, but still l am tempted to envy
any one with health" said Bess,
pinching the plump cheek of her sis
ter.
Helen went back to her work
wondering the cause of the unusual
mood. But she came to no conclusion
save that her sister must have caught
the blues" from some member of the
family.
School began in September, and the
! girls could find but little time for
private work. October leaves fell and
the November and December SHOWS
covered them. January and February
! came and went and March had nearly