The suburban citizen., 1901-06-01

Mrs. Howard spoke in trou-
bled tones, her eyes on her
daughters empty place at the table.
Her husband shook his head. He was
getting a trfe impatient with Mel
lie. Tom finished his second plate
of griddle-calles and intimated that he
could dispose of a third. Then he an
nourced his views GU the subject:
Now, mother, there's nothing the
matter with Nell but pure airs. She
has been away to school these two
years, and last vacation she Travelled
with Aunt Nell and was waited on un-
Ill she was completely spoiled. Now
she feels n little too large for the
house. This morning she's late for
breakfast again, and when she does
come trailing in she'll have on that
dressing jacket thing that looks like
bath.robe cut in half. 1t gives me
the blues to look at it. hate those
foppy things! l suppose she doesn't
think it's worth while to dress up and
be entertaining at home"
Now, Tom dear" admonished his
mother gently. You must not be un-
charitable with Nellie. Remember that
she has studied hard this year. We
VIII give her a chance to rest and l
think she will soon come back to her
old self"
Tom shook his head unconvinced. He
was a lively young gentleman just re-
turned from his sophomore year at
college, and his patience with his sis
ters new attitude was limited.
"It's a good thing to vary brain
work with physical exercise he sug-
gested wisely. "She crawls down late
mornings, and if there is anything she
might do around the house, she half
does it and forgets the rest, or else
she gets a headache and can't do any
thing. But she can spend hours writ
ing fat letters to those girl friends Of
hers. When the Ellis boys come you'n
see her down stairs carly, and not
wearing that loose rag, either
TON, be carefulw
Mrs. Howards word Of warning
came just In time The dining room
door opened and Nellie entered, look
ing trife sleepy about the eyes, Her
hair combed somewhat less carefully
than for more public occasions, and
she wore the short, voluminOus dress
ing-sack which was Toms pet abom-
ination.
"Good morning" she said, smiling,
but stopping to cover a bit Of yawn
with her hand. Pm sorry I'm so
late"
Nellie had been sorry a good many
mornings since her return, but her
regret had not carried her to the point
Of prompt attendance She was a
plump pretty girl, with q face usually
sparkling with animation; but just
now she looked rather lstiess, per-
haps a trife bored. Formerly she had
found it a pleasure to exert herself 10
entertain her own family. Mrs. How
ard, with a mothers charity had been
attributing her lack of animation to
delicate health, but had been slowly
forced to admit that when strangers
were with them, her young daughter
was as bright and charming as ever.
Doubtless Nellie herself had little idea
Of how far she had let herself drift
into this Indifference.
There was a letter at Nelle's place,
and as she opened and read it she
gave an exclamation Of pleasure.
"Oh, how lovely! 1t Is from Jean
Fairfax, mamma, and she says she
can come. Saturday afternoon-that's
tomorrow. Why that is when your
college friends come, isn't it, Tom? Oh
l am so glad she can comet She is
such a dear"
Nellie sat up straighter and evinced
considerably more interest in life, but
Tom, grayely finishing his coffee, ap-
parently forgot to answer her question.
His critical eye royed severely over
the wide-spreading little dressing
sack, which ended a few brief inches
below his sisters naturally trim waist,
and Mr.. Howard, watching him,
smiled significantly across the table at
his wife.
After breakfast Tom hunted up his
mother as she was busy about her
household duties.
'Now," he said, "if you have a lot
to do, make Nell work. hear her at
the piano this minute. Oh. yes, l
know she doesn't mean anything, but
it's high time she did mean something.
She's all right, really, only she's care
less and spoiled, and you always did
let us impose on YOU
Mrs. Howard shook her head and
smiled, but she loved the affectionately
scolding tone which her big son coca
sionally adopted toward her. Tom had
not finished yet.
Now, mother, let's make a bargain,
honor bright. II l undertake to cure
Nell with heroic treatment, will you
aid, abet and encourage my nefarious
schemes? You needn't do much; Just
stand by me. For instance, I didn't
tell her, but have received word that
the Ellis boys will get here late to-
! night instead Of tomorrow afternoon.
/ want to smuggle them IN 50 that
Nell won't know they are here. VIII
J you help me-"
! Mrs. Howard lool,pd of him serious