The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1897-07-22

wontaa: in large affairs she now proved
herself great. Her hard lie had taught
her bitter seif-control when il came 70
real sorrow. She had not had time for
the luxury of grief.
When she came ont OF the pantry her
face settled into its usual lines. She
took the cobhler from the oven.
"Mindy." she said, you can have the
money. I'd just as soon you'd 90. You
had best git them clo'es sprinkled. This
cobbler's all done"
II VAS a month later. Miudwcil hur.
ried along the little path TO the sta
tion. Her trunk had gone by boat
TO Seattle, where She WAS TO &c, her
ticket to Boston.
Her mother had said good-by without
any emotion. Fears had sprung to
Mindwelrs eyes, but the old woman had
said only: Nov, don't go to actin
the dunce!"
But how very old and gray she had
looked! And how bent! Miudwell had
never noticed il before. The ache of
it was in her heart now. She saw the
long, lonely year stretching drearily
before her mother.
The train WAS an hour late. She
walked on the little platform. The
ache sank deeper. She could not get
it out of her heart. \ sob came into
her throat.
IN run back and kiss her again."
She whispered.
Mrs. Ewcns WAS sitting by the kitchen
table. Her head was bowed upon her
arms. The hearth was unbrushcd. The
dishes were piled, unwashcd, in the
sink.
Mindwcll came softly to the door
aud stood there.
oh. Lord. Lord" her mother was
saying, II amt never prayed any, so
| orter be ashamed to now, when I'm
in such trouble. But | must talk to
somebody, Lord, an there's nobody to
bother now but you. Youth forgive
me if | amt right, My old hearts
broke. My only child has gone an left
me. l don't blame her. I've been
cross an ugly, an I've nagged at her.
I've struggled agin my temper. A
body never gifts any credit fer the times
they conquer their temper, but they
get a-plenty o blame fer the sime i.
conquers them. But you know how I
loved her, Lord, an how proud | was
o her. | had to work in other peo-
pies kitchens when | was a girl; an
sence | got her I've shaved an saved,
so she'd never have TO do that. A whole
year, Lord! An me so old, an sick SO
much with the ploorlsy--"
Mindwell slipped away, shaken to
the soul. she went around the house
and sat down on the front steps. She
leaned her face within her hands and
sat there for a long, long time. At
last she stood up slowly, trembling.
Her face was white, Her eyes went to
the silent, lonely mountains. A mo-
ment longer the struggle lasted. Then
something that was beautiful shone
in the girls face. The exaltation Of
one who has conquered came into her
eyes.
When the train came Mrs. Ewons
went to the door and sickled her hand
above her dim eyes to get a last glimpse
Of the girl. Her face was quivering.
At that moment Mindwell stepped
upon the porch. Her mother started.
Fer PHYS suke!" she exclaimed.
Her face changed. "Did you go an git
left?"
NO, mother, I didn't get left, but
I'm not going"
You amt a-goin'?" She spoke
harshiy, ashamed of her display of
emotion. why amt you a-goin'?"
1--WE changed my mind" The ex-
altation was still in her eyes. I've
been thinking, mother. l guess if
there's anything in me we'll find it out
right here just MS well as in Boston.
And if there isn't, there's no use vast
ing my time going to Boston. Maybe
I'll get some education here that |
couldn't get there, anyhow"
"My-oh! | never see your beat!
You're just like your father, a-changin'
like a water-sign, fer all you're one O.
them still, stubborn kinds, Well, if
you amt a-goin', hurry on your old
clo'es. It's high time them calves was
druy to ~pastur'!"
Twenty minutes later Mindwell was
following the calves down the path
through the frs.
Maybe the world won't think as
education" she said, setting her lips
together, "but l guess I'll think more
of myself."-Ladies' Home Journal.