The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-08-01
"She's going lust as spick and


self-sacrifcing spirit there is in this
family isn't centered in you, Miss
Lucy"
"No, indeed" said Bell, Il am go.
ing to lay claim to the possession oil
little of that quality myself You
and Lucy shall not have all the honor
and glory there is in this delightful
little scheme. I'm going to stay at
home with you, and my money can
be used for the things vaguely and
indefinitely referred to as incidental
expenses There will be plenty OF
such expenses outside of the cost OF
mothers ticket and wardrobe"
''But you really need vacation,
Belle" said Janet.
"And Pm going to have one right
here at home. | shall not take in an
other stitch of work until September
and | can have restful, quiet time
here at home. The thought of the
beautiful time mother is having, will
be source of constant vigor and joy.
How or why we have been so selfish
and Needless as not to have thought
of this before, is wonder and re-
proach to me-"
Mrs. Dayne's footsteps were heard
in the hall outside at that moment,
and Lucy laid finger on her lips,
and when Mrs. Dayne came into the
room her daughters were silent and
in the attitude in which she had left
them.
1T must be complete 's'prise' as
we used to say when we were chill
dren," said Janet, when she and
Lucy were in their own room that
night. well go downtown in the
morning and buy the railroad ticket
and new dresses and other things be-
fore we tell mother anything about
it. Then she'll have to 60"
The next day was Saturday, and
the three girls went downtown to-
gether soon after breakfast. 1t was
dinner time before they returned.
A great many bundles arrived at the
house during the afternoon. The
opening of them drew forth good
many EXPLANATIONS of surprise from
Mrs. Dayne.
"Why, Janet" she said, as Janet
unrolled package of fine, soft, dark
gray cloth, "Is this for yourself? You
will look like little quaker maiden
in it. I thought you had set your
heart on navy-blue and white In
dia silk"
"Fickle- mindedness has ever been
one of my weaknesses, mother, dear, "
said Janet, lightly.
at would seem so," said Mrs.
Dayne, with increased surprise, as
Janet cut the cord around another
bundle and allowed yards of pretty
black India silk with small lavender
figures to fall from her lap to the
floor.
isn't it lovely?" asked Janet.
"It's beautiful, dear, but-but-
we'll, l want you to have it if you
prefer it, but really think that the
blue and white silk would have been
more becoming to young girl.
However, if you-why Belle, are
you getting sober-minded, too9 The
shape and trimming of this bonnet
would be more becoming to an old
lady like myself than to you"
you're not an old lady," said Belle,
with an affected show of indignation.
''Let me see how the bonnet looks on
you"
She placed the bonnet on her
mothers pretty gray hair, and the
three girls gave utterance to chorus
of delight.
Janet draped folds of the India
silk from her mothers waist and
Lucy threw pretty cape around her
mothers shoulders.
You look nice enough to be pre-
sented at court" said Janet. "Your
New Hampshire relatives will have
no cause to be ashamed of your APP
pearance."
"There! You've told" said Lucy.
"I'm going to tell the rest now. Look
at this, mother"
Lucy held up long printed strip
of green and yellow pasteboard.
No vacation pleasure we could have
had could nearly equal the pleasure
we are going to get from your out
ing"
This proved to be true. There were
almost daily letters from Mrs. Dayne
telling of the happy, restful time she
was having and of her gratitude to
her dear girls" for the sacrifice they
had made that she might have an
outing of her own.