The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1899-12-05

way"
That noon Mamie came to the table
with a clouded brow, ate her dinner in
silence, and, after the meal was ended
went up to her room, where they could
hear her closet doors angrily opened
and closed, and bureau drawers drawn
noislly out and pushed in again with
a bang. Her mother sighed, but, know
ing the fit of ill-humor would be over
all the sooner If no one interfered, left
her work il off alone
The next day Aunt Fannie came; and
from the moment of her arrival Mamie
was the devoted admirer Of this sweet
faced woman with gentle voice and
! quiet manner. 1t was certainly lovely
to be sweet and gentle; and for several
days Mans abrupt movements were
held decidedly in check, while the quick
words and fretful tone, usually so ready
in response to annoyance, were seldom
heard.
But one day all went wrong 1t was
rainy and cold for one thing, which al
ways made Nan cross. Then she was
late to breakfast, and, finding the coffee
and the cakes cold, she first scolded the
girl, and then spoke angrily to Katie,
was impertinent to her mother, and
ended by rushing off to school in the
worst possible humor. After that moth
ing seemed to go smoothly, and matters
fell back into the old way, until GER
tainly Jennie Clark was right, and no
hndV in hat. coneoo xuoY.Id boua fb IN oh
Of calling her Sweet" Yet under all
the fretfullness was hidden a loving
heart, which expressed itself often in
many helpful ways. She was so truly
kind and thoughtful that they had
come to overlook the crossness, and ex-
cuse 1t as Mans way.
But Aunt Fannie saw with much sur
prise and anxiety how this habit of ill
temper had grown upon the young girl,
until it babe fair to make herself and
every one about her uncomfortable. One
loon Mrs. Hodges came into the sit
1ng-room, saying in troubled voice:
Mamie, wish you would go down
and speak with Nora; for she is feeling
very much hurt. She took such pains
20 do up your cambria dress just as you
wanted 1t, and when you passed through
the kitchen yesterday and saw it on the
bars, you said you never could wear it
In the world, 1t was entirely too stiff"
ooh, nonsense, mammal She ought
not to mind little thing like that.
know she's dreadfully touchy, but she
ought to know me by this time. 1t is
just my quick way of speaking; and the
dress was all right after all. The old
goose! didn't mean to hurt her feel
ings; but I'll go down, and make it all
right with her,"
Mrs. Hodges sighed as Mamie left
the room, saying to her sister: 81 do
wish, Fannie. that Mamie was not so
impulsiye. She makes a great deal of !
trouble both for herself and others.
Still, she does not mean anything by it;
for she has really very warm heart,
1t is only her way"
That evening Nan came in the early |
twilight to her aunt's room, saying:
Aunt Fannie, it is too dark to study.
and just right for a chat"
Il was just wishing for you, dear"
was the reply. Your mother and were
out driving this afternoon, down by the
Long Pond; and brought home some
plants for you to analyze."
30 Aunt Fannie! How kindl Where
are they?" Nan exclaimed eagerly; for
Just now she was very much interested
in botany.
"over there on the table. dear; and
think they should be put at once into
water, as they must be somewhat
wilted."
Nan went quickly to the table, where
N the dim light she could discern the
heap of leaves and branches. Crashing
hem impulsively with both hands TO
larry them to her room. she suddenly
threw them from her, and, rubbing her
hands together. exclaimed angrily:
For mercy's sake Why. what are
hey? My hands burn like fret"
"oh, I'm sorry, dear" said Aunt
Fannie, gently; "but never mind. They
are nettles, and that is just way they
nave They are very useful plant in
many ways, and you must not mind II
I they do sting you a little. They
ion't mean to hurt you, Mamie; it is
lnly their 'way!"
Mans cheeks flushed hotly; but she
ut her lip, and, silently slipping the
lettles on paper, carried them to her
DOM. After putting them in water.
he stood few minutes by the window.
lalf vexed with the pain in her hands
mt feeling a still sharper pain in her
'eart Suddenly she felt herself folded
two loving arms, while tender voice
aid
Was the lesson too severe, dear?"
With quickly filling eyes, Mamie
urned to her saying:
20 Aunt Fannie! Do you think am
Ike the nettle? DO you mean that?"
In the gathering twilight they sat
own together for long and earnest
ak. in the course of which mans
ray looked more hateful to herself
han It could have ever seemed to any
ne else. Just before they separated.
Ian said earnestly:
l.