The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1900-03-23

pretended to herself-that the dear
grandmother for whom she was named
was really living, and could console her
for her troubles.
Why, now, couldn't she be a little
grandmother to her brother and SIS
tiers? There were often times when
some one was needed to speak the pleas
ant word, to do the little deed WHICH
was so small that no one had time TO
notice it. Then everyone would AXE
to come to her room, instead OF shun-
ming it, as now. She clapped her hands
joyfully.
sIH do It'll" she said. "I'll begin right
to-day and surprise them ALL"
She did. 1t was Charley WHO first
discovered it, when he came home from
school, and stuck his head through the
doorway for an instant, to see II she
wanted anything he could do for her.
eyes," she said, nodding glee1ulfy'
"yon can. Come here"
The surprise on his face when she
asked him to kiss her showed her more
plainly than words could have done how
careless she had been about such little
things before. Even Baby May was
gladly welcomed and amused in de-
lightful fashion; so delightful that she
cried when taken away. When Ruth
fell asleep that night her head was full
of plans for the future.
It worked beautifully; so beautifully
that it surprised even herself. She kept
her brain hard at work devising new
schemes to make people enjoy them
selves when in her room.
Her room was the chief part OF her
plan. Her mothers favorite chair was
brought in there; her fathers favorite
sofa, so that after his days work he
could lie down for brief rest in this
quiet haven, where everyone was al
ways pleasant-for Ruth would have
it so. No cross words were ever spoken
there, and the curb they learned to put
on their tongues when in her presence
became a great help to the children,
whose voices were softened even when
at play around her. Gay Sister Bess,
who was something of a butterfly, al
ways brought in the best part of her
day to Ruth, who listened with never
failing interest to all that interested
her sister; and many bit of advice was
so unconsciously given in her quaint
way that it was almost unconsciously
received. Bess never knew until later
years just how much she owed to that
still little figure with the deep, thought
full eyes and the soft, gentle ways, who
was always so grieved at the thought of
anyone being made to suffer by care
less word OF action.
Her work basket, with needles, thread
and colored silks, stood close by her
couch, and was called upon many times
a day for stitch to be taken, or
button to be put in place, just at the
last moment, when everyone was busy;
and Ruth would smile, enjoying the ex-
element of finishing in time, which
after awhile grew to be almost as much
fun as hurrying to be dressed in time to
go out had been in the olden days.
Then there was her embroidery, the
work she loved the best of all and which
she did so well, making the home beau
tiful by the dainty centerpieces, bu-
reau scarfs and other pretty things that
always kept the thought of her before
them. And at Christmas time it be-
came regular joke about the mystic
rious basket beside her, into which her
work was always thrust when the door
was opened, until she was satisfied it
was not the member of the family for
whom the gift was intended; for it was
one of her strictest rules that her door
should never be locked, but that anyone
and everyone could come into her room
whenever they wished to do so.
And she was happy! Not wildly So,
as Bess and the children sometimes
were, but always smiling, contented
and cheerful-never once letting any,
one see, by word or look, that she
grieved over the unfortunate accident
that had changed her life. little
peacemaker" they called her at first;
then their Sunshine" or "joy." 1t was
not for some time that they learned
just what she was doing, but when they
did they began to call her, playfully,
Little Grandmother" or "Grandmoth-
er Ruth" Even the friends of the fam
lily took up the name.
Children and grown people felt the
gentle sway and came under it willing
ly, although she did not know this for
several years. 1t came to her when she
was older, when one day an impulsive
girl dropped down beside the cripple
and told her what an influence she had
had upon her life.
"You will never know" she went on.
Just how selfish, mean and cruel /
would have been if it had not been for
your gentle manner when I first met
you. 1t is to you owe all that am
now, all that hope to bel"
Ruth brushed away few tears when
she was left to her own thoughts. but
they were happy ones this time. 1t was
SO good to feel that she had been use
ful in spite of her helplessness. It al
most made up to her for all that she
had most loved and lost. Almost? She
repeated the word lingeringly-almost
was it as much as that? There was a
joyful cry in the hall below. Charley.
just returned from his year at college,
was being greeted at the door raptur-
ously, but above the glad cries she heard
his voice ring out with note that went
straight to the lonely heart.
"Wait!" he cried. "I'll see you all in
minute, but first / must see Little
Grandmother"
Almost? There was happy look in
huth's eyes as they turned to the door
to greet him. Almost? Her arms were
held out to him. All, she knew now!-