St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1899-12-06

Come Felicia Aren't you goinI
homer" said Rose The play was over
the curtain down, and people were go
ing noisily out laughing and gossiping
as IL 1.-THE Shadows of London" wa
simply good diversion. as it was put OF
the stage so effectively
Felicia rose and went out with tn,
rest quietly and with the absorbed feel
ing that had actually left her in hel
seat oblivious Of the plays ending Sh'
was never absentminded, but Otter
thought herself into condition thai
left her alone in the midst of crowd
well what did you think of it2'
asked Rose when the sisters had reached
home and were in the drawing room
Rose really had considerable respect foi
Felicia s judgment of play
IL thought it was pretty picture Of
real life -
II mean the acting" said Rose, an
noyed
1.-THE bridge scene was well acted,
especially the woman's part thought
the man overdid the sentiment little. .
did your enjoyed that And
WASH t the scene between the two cous-
ms funny when they first learned that
they were related2 But the slum scene
was horrible think they ought not to
show such things in play They are
too painful 80
They must be painful in real life
too, replied Felicia.
"Yes. but we don't have to look at
the real thing It's bad enough at the
theater, where we pay for it -
Rose went into the drawing room
and began TO eat from plate Of fruit
and cakes on the sideboard.
care you going up to see mother2"
asked Felicia after awhile. She had re-
manned in front of the drawing room
fire.
mo" replied Rose from the other
room; 81 won't trouble her tonight. If
you go in, tell her am too tired to be
agreeable. "
So Felicia turned into her mothers
room. As she went up the great stair
case and down the upper hall the light
was burning there, and the servant who
always waited on Mrs. Sterling was
reckoning Felicia to come in.
"Tell Clara to go out, exclaimed
Mrs. Sterling as Felicia came up to the
bed and kneeled by it,
Felicia was surprised, but she did as
her mother babe her and then inquired
how she was feeling.
Felicia" said her mother, "can
you pray?'
The question was SO unlike any her
mother had ever asked before that Fe-
licia was startled, but she answered:
"Why, yes, mother. What makes
YOU ask such a question
Felicia, | am frightened. Your fa-
ther-l have had such strange fears
about him all day Something is wrong
with him. | want you to pray"
'Now2 Here, mother?''
Eyes. Pray, Felicia.
Felicia reached out her hand and took
her mothers. 1t was trembling Mrs.
Sterling had never shown much tender
ness for her younger daughter, and her
strange demand now was the first real
sign of any confidence in Felicia's
character
The girl still kneeled, holding her
mothers trembling hand, and prayed.
1t was doubtful if she had ever prayed
aloud before. She must have said in
her prayer the words that her mother
needed, for when it was silent in the
room the invalid was weeping softly,
and her nervous tension was over.
Felicia staid some time When she
was assured that her mother would not
need her any longer, she rose to go.
GOOD night, mother You must let
Clara call me if you feel bad in the
night. "
81 feel better now" Then as Felicia
was moving away Mrs. Sterling said,
won't you kiss me, Felicia9'
Felicia went back and bent over her
mother The kiss was almost as strange
to her as the prayer had been. When
Felicia went out of the room, her cheeks
were wet with tears. She had not cried
since she was little girl.
Sunday morning at the Sterling man.
sion was generally very quiet. The girls
usually went to church at II o'clock
service. Mr.. Sterling was not mem
Der, but heavy contributor, and he
generally went to church in the morn
ing. This time he did not come down
to breakfast and finally sent word by
servant that he did not feel well enough
to go out So Rose and Felicia drove
up to the door of the Nazareth Avenue
church and entered the family pew
alone
To be continued
While not generally known, it is fact.
Il