The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1900-05-18

this notifying incumbrance. They
said now it would be possible to in
vite guests to the house without con-
slant fear that they would discover
that dreadful little creature.
The family was given permission TO
visit her once in three months, but
they did not avail themselves of the
opportunity. And Lena, when the
brief vacations came, seemed unwill-
ing to go home Neat clothes were
sent her by her mother and plenty OF
pocket money, and with that 1t ap-
peared that she felt her full duty done.
At the end of two years, however, Mrs.
Scarf, moved by some belated mater
nal tenderness, or by curiosity, made
journey of 200 miles to see her
daughter, and she returned with
somewhat puzzled look upon her face.
Lena was growing rapidly, she said,
and could read and write and do cary
ing in wood, besides sewing and dan
cling and homework. The Scarhs
opened their eyes, but were more or
less incredulous Besides, 1T didn
matter. The child was disagreeable to
them. They disliked even to think OF
her.
Five years went by, and one day, in
company with an attendant from the
school, Lena made her appearance at
her home. 1t was in the early even
ing, when the family had just finished
dinner, and were sitting in the parior
among their musical instruments.
"She was so anxious to give you
SURPRISE" said the attendant, that l
could not deny her."
The Scarffs were feeling distinctly
bewildered. There stood before them
a tall, graceful girl, with face of in
describable refinement and appealing
pathos. Her purple blue eyes shone
with a tender light; her abundant
golden brown hair was coiled upon
her head in smooth braids. Her COM
plexion had an exquisite delicacy. She
was perfectly at ease. Indeed, though
it seemed impossible, it was actually a
fact that she seemed to be surveying
her family with critical eye, and her
manner as she greeted them was any
thing but cringing. And while they
would not have used that word, yet in
reality a cringing attitude was what
the Scarffs would have expected of this
unfortunate.
Joseph Scarf was moved to some
thing like shame for his long neglect.
Il hope you have come to stay
Lena" he wrote on sheet of paper.
She thanked him with kiss on his
cheek, so charmingly given that the
Scarffs stared in amazement. None of
them could have done anything so
spontaneous.
II would like to have nay old room,
if you please, she wrote.
THAT little old room! You shall
have larger one" her father replied.
But she insisted on the old one, and
made herself at home there The fam
lily went to bed that night with min
gled feelings, chief among which was
that of the difficulty of the situation.
This beautiful girl could not be hidden
as the seemingly half-wtted child had
been. But as a fortnight passed this
feeling changed. So far from intrud-
ing upon the family, she kept rather
exclusively to her own room, which
she had fitted up with divan, which
she made into bed at night, and with
the bench and tools of her wood-cut-
ting craft. On the wall, with its fresh
tint of cool green, were hung the pat
terms she used, and many specimens Of
her clever handicraft. There had been
cabinet-makers in the Scarf family,
one of whom was famous, and artists
were not unknown, either. Moreover,
in his way, Joseph Scarf was an artist,
too. So there was ability to give a
true appreciation of this work, and
the Scarffs began to wonder if they
had not genius in their midst.
Later, when news had gone abroad
that this original young wood carver
had come to town, those who had taken
note of her work at certain exhibitions
began to call She was asked to join
a society of the arts and crafts. Stories
of her beauty and spirituality and
talent went out Artists of many sorts
came to make her acquaintance and to
compliment her upon the beauty of her
work. A Bohemian circle was open to
her. and she began to delight in the
friendship of distinguished men and
women. The little hall room was often
crowded to overlooking.
The Scarffs began to talk much Of
their sister and to make capital even of
the difficulties under which she
worked. They entered into a plan
suggested by her father, to build a
studio on the back of the house, which
could be entered from the street, and
where she could entertain in the even
ing when she pleased. And they offered
to add to the pleasure of these even
ings by furnishing music on the piano.
or violin, or flute.
In brief, the Scarffs found the great
est cause for pride which they had