The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-03-23

SyS be done at once. can
bear to have such a dis
orderly corner about the house. I'm
sure / don't know when Susan will
be back, and | don't much care. She
never does anything thoroughly"
'Then let me do it, mamma" Bet
tie spoke more cheerfully than she
felt. She had mapped out differ
ent plan for these Saturday morning
hours.
"You dear child! 1t would be such
a relief, but l don't like to put it on
your shoulders.
"Oh, nonsenseW laughed Bette.
my shoulders are stronger than you
think, mamma. What do you sup
pose all my physical culture lessons
have been good for?"
So Mrs. Jordan was cajoled out OF
the room; and Bette, perched on the
baby's high chair, attacked the up
per shelves. 1t was pleasant sight
to Aunt Lydia, sitting by the fireplace
under whose deft fingers little sock
was taking form and shape. Her
needles never slackened, even while
her ewes were fixed on the slender,
girlish figure. How unselfish Bette
was growingl What was the reason?
Was the little silver cross, with its
three suggestive letters, in the secret?
AS the work progressed, Aunt
Lydia felt a slight uneasiness.
Would Bette prove faithful, she
wondered, when she reached the low
est shelf You see the day before
Aunt Lydia had gone to this same
shelf in search of some article, and
had come across box away at the
further end. In the one swift glance
she gave it as she raised the cover she
had glimpse of Toms top, some
battered tissue paper flowers, tangled
embroidery silks, and sundry old
gloves and ribbons; while there were
Indications of equally interesting de-
velopments beneath. Evidently,
Susan had made it sort of dumping
ground for "odds and ends" And
now Aunt Lydia wondered if this
might not prove too much for Bettie's
good resolutions.
Behold" said the unconscious
Bette at this juncture, with flourish
that imperilled her standing on the
high chair. "The top shelves are in
a state of precision that it would do
your heart good to see" And then
she descended to give Aunt Lydia a
great hug, and prepare for an attack
on the lower shelves. "Do you know"
she went on confidentially, Il have
turned over a new leaf. Idetest work
of this kind, but | make myself do it.
''It's discipline for the mind as
Miss Brownlee says about algebra.
No, that isn't my motive, either"
And tie round face grew suddenly
serious. 81 made up my mind that l
must improve, or | should feel as if |
were dishonoring that" And Bette
touched the little silver cross.
A minute later Mrs. Jordan put
her head in at the door.
Can you leave that awhile, dear,
and take this letter to the postofficel
1t ought to go on the next mail"
"Of course, | can" said Bette,
promptly; "and glad of the chance.
I'll be ready in just two minutes"
Left alone in the dining room,
Aunt Lydia laid down her knitting
and vanished up the stairs. She was
back in her place, however, and knit
ting as placidly as ever, when Bette
returned with her girlish face glow
ing from exercise and contact with
the crisp, frosty air.
"It's delicious outdoors, auntie.
was tempted not to come back till
time for luncheon" And Bette
shook her fist menacingly at the I'M
finished work. But, then, I'm near
ly through. Only two more shelves
to do, and they're easy" Evidently
she was in blissful ignorance of the
miscellaneous collection in that neat
looking pasteboard box.
Aunt Lydia watched her pretty
niece when the last shelf was cleared
and the discovery made. Bette al