Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1896-06-13
SUPERSEDED BY A COUSIN.
A Picture Of Home Life, and an
Addiction, Followed by
Results.
FLORENCE L. ANDEM.

81 want to consult you about some
thing, mamma" said the tall, dark.
haired girl, drawing up rather
shabby chair beside her mothers
and glancing at huge pile of stock
ings in the maternal lap. "Why,
have you all those to do r. she qucr-
led.
Mrs. Aston merely nodded, being
apparently occupied BY knot in her
darning cotton.
How sorry | am for you !" clasp
ing her hands behind her head.
Her mothers glance went from
the refractory knot to the lazy fig
ure opposite, with quzzical smile.
81 suppose the bulky letter you re-
ceived this morning has something
to do with your wish to speak to
me- she said, cheerfully.
"Yes. OF course you remember
Ethel Fleming, the lovely girl who
spent a week with me last August ~
81 remember Ethel Fleming re-
piled Mrs. Aston, rather dryly.
cob, you are prejudiced against
her, mamma. forgot that she dis
pleased You by making fun OF her
sisters awkward ways. But, really
she Gid not exaggerate one bit. |
once met her sister, and she is the
most
MY displeasure was rot based on
the assumption that Miss Fleming
was exaggerating,' said Mrs. Ais
ton, quietly.
ooh, we'll, mamma. You are
more particular than some people,
you know. But just read this let
ter; / am sure Ethel is generous
enough. She and her mother have
invited me TO spend a year with them
in New York."
Mrs. Aston dropped her darning
implements, and took the extended
letter with face of grave surprise
saying, "a yesrl My dear that
would be rather long visit, l
think"
"Of course it will be long visit,
mother, dear; and just think what
benefit it would be to me to spend
all that time in the best, the very
best society in New York Wait,
just let ne read you what Ethel
says
"'Tell your mother, darling, that
we will make different girl of J ou.
Nothing polshes one after gradua-
ton like contact with the best socie.
ty, and of coulse this is impossible
for you in your little sleepy town.
Before Mrs. Aston could give an
opinion as to this assertion, there
was tap at the door, and then
voice said miss Helen, will ye
PLACE to wash the silver as soon as
we can, so | may swape the room p
Haven't you washed the silver
yet, Helen I" asked Mrs. Aston,
glancing at the clock.
"Bother the silver y exclaimed
Helen. Since her graduation from
school four months ago, her mother
had asked her assistance in house
hold affairs. She rose from her
chair reluctantly.
swell, will you read the letter,
and think it over while am down
stairs, mamma ?"
Mrs. Aston assented, and Helen
left the room As she foamed the
soapsuds into snowy masses her
younger sister, who had been dress
ing doll in the hall, came to the
table and gazed into the tub with
fascinated eyes.
"Now, keep away, Louise I'm
busy" Helen said sharply.
81 won't touch anything" plead
ed the child.
But you make me nervous. Go
and play with Ada
"Ada's gone to Marion's house, !"
objected Louise" whose waning va
cation sometimes hung heavily on
her hands.
Helen dropped several knives by
accident, and her face looked SO Sc
we're as she picked them up that
Louise hurriedly retired.
"You never want me to have any
fun n she called back as she reached
the stairs, gaining courage in her re-
treat.
A few days passed, during which
Helen frequently made impatient IN
quilies of her mother, and was told
in reply that ST am thinking th,
matter oyer.''
Finally, one evening Helen's faith
er called her to him, where he sa
! reading the paper.