The Cook County herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Minn.) 1893-1909, 1896-10-17

and Went down to breakfast like q
naughty child.
But during the day she made SONS
progress. Mrs. Lynn sent word tha.
Jimmy is having fits and would Mrs.
Farley come over ?''
81. am very sorry she said to the
messenger, but I'm not we'll, so ]
cant co. Her conscience hurt her
sorely afterward, for she had seen
Jimmy through all his previous fits,
and it seemed coWardly to desert him
now. In the afternoon, however, she
went to Miles Dry-G Goods Palace, and
bought herself two silk gowns and a
pair of high-heeled slippers. In her
heart she. had always loved French
boots, but she had mortified the flesh
by wearing broad toes and common
sense heels. y s5ss.
She had also read literature of an up
lifting tendency, not so much because
she enjoyed it as because she thought
she ought. Now she read the silliest
novels on which she could lay hands,
and even subscribed to paper, given
up to jokes and gibes.
She spent long afternoons playing
casino with Jimmy Of the Fits Poor
Jimmy was not an accomplished player
and he sulked when he was beaten, SO
here Lucretia had a chance to be un-
selfish while pursuing pleasure, and
she always let the boy win.
AS time passed even Maud could see
that her sister was very i'll, but even
after she was obliged to lie all day on
her sofa Lucretia continued to enjoy
herself Gradually the practice of self
lshness grew easier and she found she
was as anxious: to have her own way
as she had formerly been to give it up.
One day when Mrs. Wilkins called she
felt that she outdid herself. ~
s Mrs. Wilkins was not pleasant per-
son; she had cultivated the virtues to
the neglect Of the graces. Everybody
said they respected her, but: they were
very apt to slip out the back door when
they saw her opening the gate.
came in to read to you,' she an
nounced, loosening her bonnet strings
and rolling her gloves into. wad.
What did you bring?" Lucretia
asked without much enthusiasm. e.
The Scientific Journal there is an
interesting article on recent discoveries
in electricity" she replied.
"Thank you, but believe I don't
= care to hear. it,, Lucretia said.
Then probably you would like
Haines' article on Climatic Changes In
the United States.''' .s2"..'z
NO said Lucretia, ''I don't care tt
hear that, either" s+, - 4S Ez:
Z = had always thought you were in-
terested in the world s progress" Mrs
lkins said 5reproyingly.
- I've tried to be, but I guess never
was" Lucretia owned just as 1 used
to make myself believe I enjoyed Mil
ton when we had the reading class =
Mrs. Wilkins stared at these bold
statements, then changed the subject.
when do you begin your house-clean-
ing?" >s- ..-.., ~.
II don't intend to clean this fall,'' the
other replied airily. ''It is such a
bore"
On her way out, with the despised
magazine under her arm, Mrs. Wilkins
met Maud. ,..-
+ What has come over your sister?'
she asked. ttShe lolls on that lounge
in high-heeled slippers reading trash
and says she doesn't intend to clean
house, .->, y ., = ..-
Don't ask me-. Maud returned.
''She isn't the same woman she was be-
fore she was sick-everything has to
go her way now"
It was very near the end before Lu-
cretia realized that there was no hope
for her. ..Did you know it at the first ?''
she asked the doctor when he came
in one evening.
Yes he answered.
And you told me to enjoy myself
because you knew my time was 'short?''
"Yes.'' s.,
s'Oughtn't to have been preparing
myself for heaven ?" she asked after a
pause.
You have been doing that all your
life" the doctor replied. IT thought
you deserved little time to enjoy
yourself in a: worldly way
'sWell-I have enjoyed it, she said.
with a sigh of content" "even when /
was well never had such a good time.
It was real hard at first. to assert Ii
rights, but after awhile / just gloried
in it.. You heard doctor, how rude /
was to Mrs. Wilkins ~
The doctor nodded and grinned. Mrs,
Wilkins was no favorite Of his.
But have done worse things than
that, Lucretia went on Maud never
would put enough salt in my oatmeal
and once picked up my shoe and
threw it at her. It wasn't lady-like,
but it was such a relief. I have had
such a good time being selfish and
doing what I pleased You don't think
| it was wrong of me, doctor?''
mo, it was all right" he answered
stontly, for he was used to taking the
responsibilities Of the dying upon his
broad shoulders. Then Lucretia was
content.
at the very last she turned her poor