Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1896-06-13
w VA SATURDAY. JUNE IS, 1890.

coldlr. .Where is mamma
Mrs. Aston was already coming
down the stairs. Ny dear Helen,
she said softly; and the pressure of
her motherly arms took little Of
the sore feeling out of Helen's
heart.
Come, Adal Come, Louise !"
called Agnes, gaily. Let US carry
sisters baggage to her room; she
must be tired"
AS she spoke, she took the satch-
ell and prepared to lead the way,
while Ada followed with the umbrel-
la, and Louise brought up the rear
with the lunch basket.
Helen watched them ascend the
stairs. cousin Agnes seems quite
at home" she remarked to her moth
er.
Mrs. Aston ignored the tone in
which this was said. II am sure You
will like her. she answered. But
come up, dear, and rest awhile before
dinner
The trio of baggage-carriers were
still in Helen's room when its owner
entered. Ada sidled toward the door
as Helen came in, and Louise hasti-
| ly laid down the lunch basket she
was examining with child's curios-
ity. Agnes was busily engaged in
pouring water into the basin, and in
laying out the toilet articles.
They all went out soon, and Helen,
as she removed her wraps, looked
about the room with feeling of con-
tentment that surprised herself. The
girlish treasures it contained bad
never looked so pretty to her be-
fore. Perhaps it was because she felt
that they were her own-a feeling
|
she had been stranger to of late.
When the dinner bell rang her
cheeks grew red. Il suppose papa
will'make jokes about me-" she re-
flected. Before that Agnes, too !"
But Mr.. Aston made no jokes.
Only there was an amused look on
his face as he kissed his daughter.
ave are glad to get cur girl back,
eh, mamma p he said.
| Helen's experiences-her pleasant
ones, that is, for her unpleasant ones
were not touched upon, much to her
relief-were listened to with f1atter-
ing attention but Helen herself felt
dull and sore. Somehow her heart
was strangely heavy as she noticed
the little attentions paid her parents
by her cousin.
| In the midst Of her account Of tue
opera, Helen was really observing
how deity Agnes placed shawl
around her aunt's shoulders when
Mrs. Alstcn felt slight draught.
| She tried to smother feeling of
jealousy at the look which thanked
her. The description of Ethel's
birthday fete tagged little as she
watched Agnes rise from her seat to
carry Mr.. Alston's coffee-cup to him.
He, too, thanked her with a smile.
81 didn't think papa and mamma
liked to be fawned upon in that way
she thought, resentfully.
| After dinner the family gathered
in the sitting-room, Mr.. Aston with
his evening paper, and his wife with
her knitting in her every-busy fing-
ers. Helen retired to dark corner,
and sat looking at the family group,
feeling like disconsolate ghost re
visiting it's former haunts. Over in
corner of the old, cozy sofa, Agnes
was hearing Ada and Louise recite,
in low voice, their lessons for the
next day.
| BY and by Mr.. Aston looked over
at Agnes. Allows this?" he inquir-
ed, good.humoredly. "Where's our
music tonight ?"
~ wish Cousin Helen would play
for u.s." Agnes said. cordially.
"Thank you" replied Helen, with
dignity, 81 don't feel like playing
tonight"
mo, no." remarked her father,
lightly. "Helen feels insulted if ]
ask her to play my old favoiites, and
/ confess Pm not up to Bach and
Beethoven,
Agnes felt uncomfortable as she
took her place at the piano, but she
did her best, and Helen had to &C,
knowledge that her cousins voice
was very sweet one.
"Therel What do you think o.
that, Nelly ?, asked Mr.. Aston wher
the song was ended.
beautiful y said Helen, briefly
"Bnt, Ada, do come away from ths
piano don't see how Agnes car
play while you lean against her so.
"Oh, it doesn't disturb me at all,
thank you" said Agnes, quickly,
looking down with an encouraging
smile at the culprit.
For week or two after her arriy,
al home, Helen suffered jealous
pangs as she saw how Agnes was re
lied upon by the household. Finally
from mixture of feelings, she re
solved to emulate her cousin, and be
gan one Saturday morning By ap
plying to Annie, at her customar'
, lazy hour, for the mop and bot water
, UCurp The aitver fs-all done ~