The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1901-07-16
CANNOT understand what has
changed Nellie so"
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 n trifle impatient with Mel
lie. Tom finished his second plate
of griddle-cakes and intimated that he
could dispose OF third Then he an
nounced his views on the subject:
Now. mother, there's nothing the
matter with Nell but pure airs. She
has been away 10 school these two
years, and last vacation she Travelled
with Aunt Nell and was waited Oh I'M
Ill she was completely spoiled. Now
she feels n little too large for the
house. This morning she's late fer
breakfast again, and when she does
como trailing IN she'll have on that
dressing-jack thing that looks like
a bath-robe cut in half. il gives me
the blues to look at it. hate those
fioppy things! l suppose she doesn't
think it's worth while to dress up and
be entertaining at home"
Now, Tom dearr admonished his
mother gently. You must not be I'M
charitable with Nellie Remember that
she has studied hard this year. We
VIII give her n chance to rest and !
think she will soon come back 10 her
old self"
Tom shook his head unconvinced he
was lively young gentleman just re-
turned from his sophomore year at
college, and his patience with his sis
ter's new attitude was limited.
Its 4 good thing to vary brain
work with physical exercise" he sIg-
gested wisely. She crawls down late
mornings, and X there is anything she
might do around the house. she half
does il and forgets the rest. or else
she gets n 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 youll
see her down stairs early. and not
wearing that loose rag, either"
Tom, be careful"
Mrs. Towards word OF warning
came just in time. The dining room
door opened and Nellie entered. look
ing trihe 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 pc. abom-
ination.
Good morning" she said smiling.
but stopping To cover a bit OF a yawn
with her hand. I'm sorry I'm so
late"
Nellie had been sorry n 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 a face usually
sparkling with animation; but Just
now she looked rather liStless. per-
haps a trife bored. Formerly she mad
found II q pleasure to exert herself to
entertain her own family. Mrs How
ard, with 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 Nellic's place.
and as She opened and read il 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 il. Tom: Oh.
/ am so glad she can come. She is
such n dear"
Nellie sat up straightcr ana oyinced
considerably more interest iu life. but
81
parently forgot to answer her question
His critical eye roved severely over
the wide-spTeading little dressing
sack, which ended q 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 iot
30 do, make Ncll work. Ipar hsr at
the piano this minute OH. ycs. 7
Know she doesn't moan 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 shool, her head and
smiled, but she loved the olfcctiouataly
scolding tone which her big son occa.
sionally adopted toward her. rom had
not flushed yet
Vow mother let's make "a bargain.
honor bright III ! undertake. TO cure
Nell with heroic treatment. will YOU
aid, abet and encourage my nofarious
schemcst You needn't do much. just