Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1900-09-26

en- head
will"
Anon.
Stcll used to wonder If all women
who had mission were as intolerant
as her Aunt Miranda. Stells father
was travelling man and seldom at
home. Stell's mother was absorbed
in her club duties and her aspirations
toward authorship. So Miss Miranda
Baxter, who was quite old enough to
have daughter of her own had not
perverse fate prevented this possibil-
ity, took upon herself much of the
care and training of her wayward
niece. At least Miranda considered
Stell wayward because she never could
be brought to see the doleful side OF
existence
But l don't want to go Summing"
she would declare. The only time l
did go with you l cried half the night
after. 1t seemed so dreadful to go
into peoples houses without being
asked. l was afraid of hurting their
feelings. Then, I'm not wise like you.
don't know anything about sores and
rheumatism, and bottled-no, bottle
babies. l seemed to have been only
impertinent when couldn't help.
You may take all my months pin
money for the poor people. 1t will
help them more than being visited by
an ignorant girl"
Whereat Miss Miranda would heave
a gentle sigh of resignation.
Il have always supposed that every
individual has a special mission to
perform in this world. l cannot dis
cover what yours may be. You do not
admire good pictures"
mot the shocking ones, Aunt Mi
randa. Not some of Dore's, nor those
by that Russian artist with the long
name. They are appalling!"
You do not read the papers, do not
keep abreast of current events"
Il read the papers in-in spots.
can't read about murders, and mutila-
tions, and dreadful things like those
l should be sure to dream of them"
She was wondering if. to have a
9lssion in life, it was necessary to
nave a nose shining like a well-pow
dered door-knob for lack of a puff of
pearl powder.
"One must confront the unpleasant
facts of life. Only last week l spent
an hour reading an instructive book
on the early history of the Abyssin-
ians to woman who was dying Of a
cancer which"
20, please dont!" entreated Stell,
who had gone white as a snowdrop.
Miss Baxter shook her head Stell
wondered how that scant drab hair
would look If it were softly waved in
stead of being strained back in so un-
compromising fashion.
There! You shrink from human
suffering"
Don't you-ever?"
II face 1t unflinchingly. l fear, Es-
tella, that your sensibilities are blunt
ed. You don't even enjoy music"
Don't thought" cried Estella.
mot the dreadful, dreary things, of
course, Not the dismal music which
makes me wonder why God made
flowers, and singing birds, and water
falls, and ralnbows, and little children,
and everything beautiful. But the
gay, happy music which makes one
want"
Miss Baxter's weary gesture checked
the impetuous speech. II fear you
never will find a worthy mission in
life, Estella."
.Stell irreverently hoped she never
would if such discovery necessitated
going corsetless. Perhaps her aunt
looked we'll enough when her form
was trim and young. But now that
thirty-seven blustery winters had
drifted over her head one fancied her
bulky proportions would be improved
by properly applied restraint
What is yours, Aunt Miranda?"
ITO do good to all with whom I
come in contact Now, | mean to Of
fer my assistance to that gentleman
who has moved in across the street
His two motherless children shall have
the advantage of my instruction-of
my advice"
Stell gasped. you mean the Stan
leys. The people who have bought
that place of Vanbarthyn's! Why
the boy is IA, the girl 16. They have
governess, tutor and l know the
housekeeper is a most capa-"
"To accomplish my mission in life
shall look after the welfare of those
youthful souls at present confded to
the care of hirelings."
But the girl is almost as old as |
ami" Stell was aghast.
mot by four years. You are almost
20, Estella, and you still require guild
ance!"
1t was Stell's turn to sigh. She
could not help wishing one could be
vaccinated against the conviction of Il
mission. Barring that, she wished
one might, after brief stage of the
ailment, enjoy immunity.
Roderlck Stanley, ex-senator and
former cattle king, still good to look