The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-02-23

Mllly Farr was Betty 8 scnoolmate.
She was lame, and walked with
"hitch," as Betty had called it, or,
rather, painful limp that no con-
trivance could quite hide. She had
always studied at home till quite
lately, and only her mother knew
how hard it was for her to enter Mi s
Johnson's little school. To be sure,
you quite forgot the poor, shortened
limb when once you knew Milly, and
the girls loved her; but Milly was a
little shy still, when she remembered.
And now Betty was going to make
her remember, and let her think,
not knowing where the unkind thing
did come from, that any or all of her
l tile mates were noticing and despis-
ing her deformity.
Perhaps Betty's conscience told her
this as she sat, brush in HAND, think
ing, and wondering who Milly would
think did send the Valentine.
"She won't guess me, 1 don't be-
lieve," said Betty to herself, because
she thinks we're friends-and we did
begin to be. don'tknow as ought
to. IT'S kind O. mean; but twas
mean of her to get ahead of me.
P'raps I'd better not, that way. I've
got 'em for all on my list-hers
wasn't down"
The clock chimed for the half hour,
and Betty, looking up, spelled for the
second time that day the mornings
text: "Bear ye one another's bur-
dens. and so fulfill the law of Christ"
ga great many people have some
thing to carry" mamma had said.
"And If we are trying to do as Christ
did, we shall try to help them to bear
their loads or to forget them. There
are great many ways, if one is only
looking out for them"
Now what hard, heavy thing it
was, as Betty and the other girls saw
it, that Milly had to carryl How
much che must need to be helped!
"Maybe," said Betty, very slowly
and softly, maybe here's way to
help her little. ] guess I'll send it
just as it is; and here's verse left
the loveliest one there was. l kept
it for some one particular, and could
not think whom it fitted. I'll put
that under it, and her name with it,
and mine in the corner and send it.
She'll have it tomorrow morning"
Betty was dull and tired next day
the reaction" mamma called it
though what that was Betty did not
care to ask. Her Valentines were
done, and it was not time to expect
any answers. She had looked at
those that had come to her over and
over. Mamma and Cousin Fay went
out after lunch, and she tried to read
but found it lonesome and dull by
herself.
The bell rang and was answered,
but Betty took no notice. 1t could
be only cards for mamma and Fay.
Then. suddenly, a great bunch of
roses fell into her lap, and some one,
kissed her, saying
II thank you over and over. It
was the dearest Valentine I ever had,
and SO good of you, Bettyl Here at
home sick, and thinking to send it
to mel And such dear versel Only
l didn't deserve that, Betty, / know
l know l didn't"
And there were tears in Milly's
blue eyes as she spoke.
"But l know you did, and dol"
said Betty, ready to cry, too. but de-
termined not to. eff you don't no.
body else does. And now do take
off your things and stay till after tea
with me. I'll show the Valentines |
had, and how l did those. You may
want to do some. too, for some of
your friends. "-OliUe e. Dana, in
lions Herald.